May 2012

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES:  05-15-2012

Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire house.  Those in attendance were; Dewey Stump, Norm Gill, Tammie Eversole, township residents; Larry Taylor, road supervisor; Larry Geiger, Craig Knox, Jeff Lloyd, and Jeff Cohen, Newton Township Fire Department personnel; Rich Davis contractor for generator; Art Kunkler of 20 / 20 Enterprises; James R.Smith, Robert J. Stephenson and Charles R. Elson, township trustees; and Derek J. Dozer, Fiscal Officer.

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

Pledge to the flag was led by James R. Smith.

Agenda was approved as read.

Public Participation:

                Dewey Stump of 3635 Washington Street was first for public participation and was at the meeting to ask for help with a tree on his property that he feels could also be some responsibility of the Towship at the corner of his property on Washington Street.  The Trustees took his information and committed to look at the issue.

                Rich Davis was next to speak about the status of the generator.  Mr. Davis said the generator was up and tested.  Wiring needs to be done on the emergency lighting and the fence needs to be completed around the unit.  Fence will be completed by NTFD.  Jacket heater has been installed.  He stated that he had installed another sub panel due to lack of spots.  The generator tested well.  May need some fuses.  He agreed to show group how to use it and will complete the rest of wiring he needs to, included in his price.  Nothing further.

Tammie Eversol from Lower Kroft Road was next to speak and first requested mowing to be done at the intersection of Rucker and Old Town Road.  She states that there is still water laying on her property by her barn and after discussion between Mrs. Eversole and Larry Taylor Mrs. Eversole will be discussing the purchase of a culvert to alleviate some of the water.  She was upset that because of the work completed her bank can’t be mowed, she “doesn’t mind the work being done, but do it right.” Road was graded but holes are back.  There are rocks at the end of her drive.  Mr. Taylor explained how phone company is not done with their work to fill in a hole and complete their work.  She also stated that Workman Road is really bad right now.

Norman Gill from Lower Kroft Road was next to speak.  He requested to know is there was anything the Trustees could do about weight signs.  The Trustees explained No.  He explained that he has been fighting the grossly overloaded trucks even to the point he has been videotaping them.  Mr. Gill stated that Rucker is getting bad.

Eversole asked Trustees when Lower Kroft Road would be worked on and Stephenson stated that they were aiming for June.

                No other participation from the public was requested.

Fire Department Business:  Geiger and Knox reporting.

*Deaver to meet with Pat Kelly to look at a layout for kitchen

*Knox reported that the final price on the medics was:

                1081 – 10-15K to refurbish

                1082 – 40-50K to refurbish

Knox stated that refurbs should give an additional 5-7 years of service at 50-60K.

                * Generator fence should cost around $1,500 (54 feet) and will get supplies from Carter.

                * Knox asked about Oil leasing status and Stephenson stated had not done it yet but would check.

                * Public use of building was discussed.  Specifically the use of the Trustees meeting room and it was decided that when approved by the Trustees the room can be used but there is plenty of space for the public to use the building.  The FD was given permission to hold training sessions at any time in the Trustees meeting room.

                * There is a spring draining out of the hillside by the dumpsters.  Possible French drain. Taylor to look at.

                * Stephenson to Geiger.  Is there anything the FD can do about the fire hazard in Ironspot?  Not a whole lot he responded, the Health Department holds the power there.

                * Art Kunkler of 20 / 20 Enterprises presented a list of roads including Moxadarla/Shaw, Moxahala Place, Harlan, East Darlington, Mahon, Crock, Lower Kroft, and Nutter.  Stephenson moved to move ahead with the list of roads, Elson seconded and Smith approved.  All 3 were in agreement. 

Larry Taylor reporting on Roads;

                Taylor gave an update on mowing and said 2 days when raining was the majority of their time mowing to date but would focus on it coming up.  Discussion about how to get roads ready for chip seal while maintain other roads and working on projects.

Trustees Reports:

                Elson – Rideneour alley in East Fultonham at 5755 Ream Street. 

Smith - Thompson Run and Payne Rd.

                Stephenson – Greenhouse Rd legal situation.  Township bill was $3,984.99 and the attorneys neglected to hold the lien on the property and Stephenson asked the other two trustees to consider letting the sale go through with the Township not getting paid.  Consideration to taxes that would be gained and closing out the situation which was not cause by the new buyer, but by attorney neglect and not following proper steps to ensure the lien was paid.  Smith and Elson were firm at $2,400 and discussion followed.  The matter will be taken back to the attorneys with no agreement from the Trustees.

Old Business:

                Estimate was presented from the County to complete road and culvert work, including zipping some roads.  The estimate was approved by all 3 trustees and the money given to the Township by the County (Engineer Davis money) will be used for this work.

                Heckel culvert issue came up.  The State is saying that they turned the culvert over to the Township once the new road was put in.  This is a massive culvert much larger than the township is accustomed to handling or dealing with and will be 10’s of thousands to fix.  The township is obviously contesting their responsibility to maintain the State’s work.

New Business:

                None.

 Fiscal Officer reports:

                Documents were given to the Trustees on the mining to take place on Lower Kroft Road.

                Letter from AEP explaining contact change.

                Letter from salt supplier (Cargill) was presented to Trustees.

                Trustees were given copies of Bank Reconciliation and Fund Balance Sheets.

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

                The next regular meeting of the township board will be June 5, 2012 @ 7:00 pm in the township meeting room at the fire department.

Newton Township has made every effort to ensure all the information listed on this website is accurate and up to date.  This information can and may change without notice.  Meeting overviews are meant to serve as short informational updates on township business.  We can not be responsible for any inaccurate or omitted information.