August 2013
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 8-13-2013
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, Aug 13, 2013. John Phillips, Larry Lake, Sherry Ziemer, Township residents; Don Madden, from Muskingum County Water; Larry Taylor, Road Maintenance Supervisor; Allen Deaver, Larry Geiger, Fire Department; James R. Smith and Charles R. Elson, Township Trustees; Derek J. Dozer, Township Fiscal Officer. Robert Stephenson – Absent.
Meeting was called to order by Trustee Elson at 7:00pm.
Pledge to the flag was led by Charles R. Elson.
Agenda was approved as read.
Minutes were approved as presented.
Public Participation:
Larry Lake of 5910 4th Street in East Fultonham. Does not like the amount of stop signs that were put up in East Fultonham. He looked up on ODOT website and the signs can actually increase crashes because people will ignore the signs. Stop signs should not be used for speed control. Axeline & 1st, Axeline & Cannon & 2nd, Cannon & 3rd. Could even consider removing the existing signs. He has been at his house for years and feels Lake Isabella traffic is down and has heard membership is too so signs don’t make sense. He is asking that the signs be removed. Trustee Smith explained why the signs have been put up. He just wants it considered and feels the current situation is a nuisance.
John Phillips – Can you drain out some of the holes on Rebecca? Larry – Will look at it but some can’t be fixed as nowhere to drain to. Mrs. Norman is asking him to bring this up.
Don Madden – Brought options from W.E. Quciksall on Avondale sewer project. Engineer would like option 1 on lateral cuts with the street, which repaves the entire street. On horizontal cuts across the street would go with option 3. <Discussion on grant money and CDBG> Granular compaction is very important. Township can provide an inspector. Would also consider going to a 2 year warranty. Cross cuts would be deeper than horizontal. This project is in line for 2014 whereas the pavement overlay would be 2015. County has consent from Ohio EPA to fix overflow problems by 2017. Goal is to stop rainwater from getting in. Beisser will have an inspector on the project as well.
Fire Department Business:
Deaver reporting:
- Presented numbers for previous month.
- Engine 1081 – pipe leaking.
- Utility Truck needed a new starter. Rogers repaired.
- Charter to teach 36 to 280 was approved. Saves 200 to 400 per student over current costs. Going to also start up a computer lab and have some possible donated computers coming.
- Medic goes to Horton on 19th for refurb.
- Budgeted for 10 sets but would like to buy 5 sets of turnout gear. Smith made motion to buy 5 sets of turnout gear at a cost not to exceed $15,000 from Finley Fire. Elson seconded motion and both agreed.
- Sept 29th is chicken BBQ. 2 tents of Civil War ear re-enactors and a car show will be there.
- Tim Swingle called Allen and has decided to resign his duties as Assistant Chief but will remain on the Fire Department at this time. Other promotions are pending.
- Nothing more to report.
Road Report
Larry Taylor
- Georgia Pines will be cut out and repaved. This project has been previously discussed and approved.
- Alley in Fultonham. Looking to blacktop small area by the store. Quote is around $3,000. Smith made motion to pave area in East Fultonham from corner of County road to aprox 120 feet North-East of Dowlings. Elson seconded the motion and both agreed.
- Stop sign and road sign behind the drive-thru in Avondale will be replaced. <Discussion on Avondale culvert>
- Mowing is caught up and continues.
Old Business
Smith – Ohio Power called and talked to him about right-of-way and fence in wrong place.
Elson – A bill from Todd Stotts will likely be coming from a piece of wood thrown by the mower. Trustee Elson said he looked at the issue and Mr. Stotts said it would be around $65.00 to fix.
New Business
Nothing additional.
Trustees Reports:
Elson – Nothing further.
Smith – Nothing further.
Stephenson – Nothing further.
Executive Session called at 7:55pm. Concluded Executive Session at 8:20pm.
Fiscal Officer reports:
· Presented contract for Sodium Rock Salt award letter.
· Presented Fall banquet letter for Muskingum County Township Association.
· Presented letter from Frank Gates confirming participation in group Worker’s Comp program.
· Presented information from Time Warner on digital equipment.
· Presented payment registers, fund status reports, bank reconciliation, grass roots clippings.
All bills presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.
The next regular township meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 7:00pm in the township meeting room.
Meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.
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