August 2011

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES:  08-11-2011

 Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire house.  Those in attendance were:  Norman Gill, and Jeffrey Cohen, township residents;  Rich Davis of 505 Market St., Philo; Craig Knox and Allen Deaver of the fire department; Larry Taylor, township road supervisor; Derek J. Dozer, James R. Smith and Robert J. Stephenson, township trustees; Bernadine E. Swingle, township fiscal officer.

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by chairperson, Stephenson.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Stephenson.

Agenda was approved as presented.

Minutes were approved as presented.

Public Participation was first order of business:

 Norman Gill was present to comment on the “deplorable”, “horrific” condition of Lower Kroft road on which he resides.  States “nothing has been done to this road in 10 years and would they please do something with it”.   Also, stated it is partially chip / sealed, part gravel and the remainder is pot holes.  If something is not done, he states he will make a video of the road condition and go public with it.  Trustees explained to him, funding is tight and they are making every effort to save the roads they currently have with minimal maintenance.  The rest of the roads will need to be returned to gravel as funding permits.

Richard Davis, an employee of the county sewer department, was present to note he had been contacted to begin proceeding to get the back – up generator in the parking lot in operating status.  He did note he has electrical experience and has in the past worked with the type generator on board.  He also has done extensive research on the generator, has invested approximately 22 hours at this time and will be charging $18.00 / hour.  An estimate of $14,371.90 to get the job done was presented for consideration of the board. Davis also noted it would be cost effective for the township to purchase necessary supplies from American Light rather than for him to do the purchasing and charge the township.   Following extensive discussion, Smith moved to install the exhaust and get the generator running through step 2.  Stephenson seconded the motion, Dozer agreed to same.

Fire Department Business was next on the agenda:

Deaver reporting; there were 104 total calls for the month of July, 6 had no response.

The suspended member of the department is still under investigation and remains out of active duty.

There was a patient transported from Bob Evans Restaurant that had choked on food and later died.  There has been some correspondence as to the actual cause of death.  Dr. Z”, township medical director has confirmed the patient was an 83 year old female and probable cause of death was a heart attack.  No autopsy was performed, the township department is not being held liable.

The computer in the chiefs’ office has been repaired and is working fine.

Chicken Bar-B-Q is scheduled for September 25, 2011.  Plans are in progress.  As for White Cottage Community Days, the last two meetings have been canceled and no plans are in progress at this time.

It was noted by the fiscal officer that there have been several instances of spending within the department without proper purchase orders having been secured.  This needs to be addressed with the entire department. 

Road Reports:  Larry Taylor reporting.

                An estimate of $24,510.00 has been received from Jan Crawmer for 258 T. of asphalt to do necessary repairs to Foxfire Road.

                There is still no report of charges from the county engineer to do repairs to Foxfire and Malibu roads.  Dozer has agreed to be in contact with Doug Davis within the next week re; this issue.

                Some extensive damage has occurred to the floor in the old school house building at the township garage area.  This area is used basically for storage of inventory of culverts.  Some improvements will be made later this fall to the building.

Trustee Reports:

                Dozer had nothing further to report.  Did question to progress on the “dump” situation in Ironspot.  Stephenson noted the health department has been down, nothing further has been done.

                Smith had nothing further to report.

                Stephenson:  Question as to condition the “burned out house” on Old Town Road.  It has been torn completely down, debris hauled away and the area has been leveled and seeded.

                The status of “junk cars” on Sunset Drive has been covered by the county sheriffs’ department.  They have given him 30 days to clean it up, 10 of which remain at this date.

                The property on Greenhouse Road that was recently cleared of “noxious weeds and debris” by the township is going onto the market at sheriffs’ sale.  Charges / resolution of costs involved by the township was presented for approval and signatures of the trustees.  This was delivered to the county auditors’ office 08-12-2011 by the fiscal officer.

Old Business:

Road conditions and repairs for the 2011 season were once again discussed at length.  The following represents the township position on any / all as of this date.

                Foxfire Road; (Jan Crawmer) Birkheimer Asphalt contract being considered.

                Lower Krofft Road; possibly be able to have the county zip the entire length of the road.  Mr. Gill will talk with the neighbors re; this.

                Malibu; needs help.

                Thompson Run Road; never completed from 3 years ago.

                Stine; many spots need “zipped and chip/sealed”.

                Moxadarla Road (Panther drive to school) needs some major repairs.

Trustees determined a special meeting needs to be held to finalize any / all road maintenance.  This will be held on August 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room.

New Business:  none to report.

Fiscal Officer Report:

                Health Insurance for the township road employees is due for renewal September 1.  An increase of 7.2% is becoming effective.  The board did temporarily approved this; however Montgomery Insurance is investigating the possibility of finding something less expensive.  Another company by the name of “Nippon Life Benefits” has come through with a much improved rate with the exact same coverage as with Anthem.  Trustees did agree to change to the new company, this will go into effect as of October 1, 2011.

                The following reports were made available to each trustee:

Monthly Receipts; Warrant report; Current appropriation report; and Fund Status Report.

                Copies of the following were given each trustee:

                                Frank Gates / Avizent Ohio Client Newsletter, summer issue.

                                Grassroots Clippings for July and August, 2011.

                                Report of income from ZANESVILLE-NEWTON JEDD INCOME TAX SHARING.

All bill presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.

The next regular meeting of the township board will be September 8, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room.

A special meeting to be held August 25,2011 at 7:00 pm is scheduled to finalize road repairs.

 Meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm.

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES:  08-25-2011

 Newton Township Trustees met in a special meeting to finalize road maintenance for the 2011 season.  The meeting was held August 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room.  Those in attendance were:  Tessa Rockwell, Jacob Rockwell, Charles Rockwell, Tammi Eversole, Donna, Charles, Patrick and Kevin Jennings, township residents.  Larry Taylor, road supervisor.  Township Trustees; Derek J. Dozer, James R. Smith and Robert J. Stephenson and Township Fiscal Officer; Bernadine E. Swingle.

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by chairperson Stephenson.

Pledge to the flag was led by Stephenson.

The township residents were present to express concern and request something be done to Lower Kroft Road as it is quite rough.  The trustee board assured them their road was on the agenda to be worked within the next 2 weeks.  It was noted to Ms. Eversole there was need of ditch along the road frontage of her existing property as well as major ditching along other parts of the road.  She was in agreement with this.  An additional issue re; STOP signs on Axline Ave. in East Fultonham was a concern of the Jennings.  Trustees agreed to make a final decision on this at the September meeting which will be held September 8, 2011 at 7:00 pm.

 Following much discussion of the trustees, Smith moved the following; Lower Kroft Road will be zipped by the county from Bagley Road to the Collard Farm / Rucker Road as to the satisfaction of Mr. Taylor; Malibu will be chip / sealed by the county as soon as culverts are installed in front of the homes on that road; complete the end of Thompson Run Road to the Springfield Township line with 1 ½” of asphalt; necessary zipping and patchwork with 2” of asphalt to both Stine and Foxfire Roads; Chadwick to be chip / sealed by the county as soon as necessary ditching is completed by the township.  Stephenson did not agree to the completing of Thompson Run Road, Dozer abstained from voting.

Dozer amended the above motion to read; Complete Lower Kroft, Malibu, Stine, Foxfire and Chadwick as noted above.  Table Thompson Run Road and Moxadarla repairs until September meeting at which time the final decision will be made on both roads.  Second by Stephenson; Smith agreed.

Copy of ODOT meeting schedule of “Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity Inspection” was made available to each trustee.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

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