December 2020
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 12-8-2020
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Those in attendance were Jason Taylor, Road Maintenance Employee for the Township; Craig Knox, Fire Chief; Jeffrey Cohen and Jake Lutz, Assistant Fire Chiefs; James R. Smith, Robert Stephenson and Derek Dozer; Township Trustees and Paula Frank, Fiscal Officer.
Meeting was called to order by Trustee Smith at 6:00 pm.
Pledge to the flag was led by Jim Smith.
Agenda approved.
Minutes approved.
Public Participation: None
Fire Department Business:
Chief Knox—Horton Medic did not have heat and Crawmers cannot fix it. It is heading to Horton tomorrow. It may be repairable, and worse-case scenario is it may have to be replaced. Genesis and EMA are overwhelmed at the drive-thru testing center at the HealthPlex. They are asking if they can use the fire department as a drive-thru facility. Chief Knox told Mr. Jadwin that he thought that would be fine. The trustees all agree that it would be ok. Training division has brought in $35,700 in paid invoices, $4350 not paid. Instructor fees--$3000 still due. More training is planned for the coming year.
CARES Act Dollars Spent: Attached
20% of payroll expenses went to COVID related runs for a total of $55,908.00 transfer back into fund from CARES, as of today.
Added $22,000 for miscellaneous expenditures to the restroom project.
Carryover should be @296K for 2021 operating revenue would be $1M for the fire department. Driveway updates in front of truck bay, soffit and fascia needs replaced.
Assistant Chief—n/a.
Road Report – Jason Taylor—Truck back from Jim Smith. Hoe has a busted radiator so it had to have a new radiator. He checked with JW Garage Door, VH Rousch and Kevin Miller on doors for the building. He will go with whoever has a lower price to get a new door. The trailer needs a new jack estimated price is $160.00.
Old Business –Derek asked the assistant Chiefs what has changed since the change in command. Jeffrey said communication is a lot better. He feels that department morale will continue to improve. Jake agreed with Jeffrey. Bob will contact Shelly about the balance bill we need for our records.
New Business – None.
Trustees Reports:
Stephenson— OTARMA—building appraisal—FD and garage. Friday 11th is when they are going to do that.
Smith— None
Dozer— None
Fiscal Officer Report:
· Distributed Grassroots Clippings.
· Presented the following resolutions for approval and signatures:
o 19/2020 – To make adjustments to fire funds to fix the payment made for the fire trucks this summer.
o 20/2020 – To appropriate the additional CARES Act money received in November.
o 21/2020 – To make adjustments to funds to cover fire and EMS payroll until the end of 2020.
· Letter was sent to the County Commissioners regarding Avondale streets.
· MORE Grant was submitted.
· Notified that Winter Conference would be virtual for 2021 and that registration is open.
Trustee Stephenson made a motion to pay bills. Trustee Dozer seconded the motion.
All bills presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.
Next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2020 at 6:00 pm at the Fire Department, to close out 2020 books.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 12-28-2020
The Newton Township Trustees met to close out business for the year 2020, close the books for same, and organize for 2021. Those in attendance were; Bob Stephenson, James R. Smith, and Derek Dozer, Township Trustees. Fiscal Officer, Paula Frank, was absent due to illness. Trustee Smith covered minutes in her absence.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by chairperson, Smith.
There was no public participation or other business to open.
Fiscal Officer had requested the following to be updated/closed for the year:
*O.T.A. Conference is scheduled for 2021, virtually. Refer to the Grassroots Clippings from December 8th meeting for additional details.
*Trustee to chair the township meetings for the year 2021 was agreed to be covered by Trustee Derek J. Dozer.
Budgets were submitted for Fire and EMS for 2021 by Chief Craig Knox.
*The following wages were discussed and raises were made accordingly;
Road crew Jason and Larry will receive $150.00, as a Christmas bonus for 2020. Mr. Dozer made a motion to give a Christmas bonus to the road crew, Mr. Stephenson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Larry Taylor currently is making $17.25 / hour, and will make $18.00 / hour in 2021.
Jason Taylor currently is making $17.25 /hour, he will make $19.00/ hour in 2021.
Diana Latier; fire department custodian is currently receiving $475.00 per month with a cap of 30 hours / month unless otherwise approved. Latier will make $475.00 per month in 2021. Latier is expected to work a minimum of 6 hours each given week, unless extenuating circumstances prohibit it.
Jeff Swingle; part-time Road Maintenance, is currently being paid $14.00 and will be paid $14.50 /hour in 2021.
Travis Lyon will continue to be employed to mow the cemeteries. Travis currently makes $13.25 per hour and will be paid $13.50 per hour in 2021. The Township will continue to pay the Kimpel family $300 per year to maintain Goshen cemetery.
Craig Knox; Fire Chief receives $850.00 per month currently. Knox will receive $1000.00 per month in 2021.
FF wages are currently at : FF = $11.50, EMT = 13.50, Medic = $15.50. Wages will remain the same for 2021.
Motion made by Trustee Dozer and seconded by Trustee Smith that the following holidays:
New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve Day be paid at double time for the Fire/EMS employees working on those holidays. Trustee Stephenson abstained from voting.
*All elected officials will receive an $80.00 cell phone allowance per month (effective 1/1/2021); moved by Trustee Stephenson seconded by Trustee Smith. All 3 agreed. Fiscal Officer will verify with county Prosecutor’s office that $80.00 is an allowable amount.
*A resolution, 22/2020 was presented for temporary appropriations for 2021, to be presented to the Muskingum County Auditor.
*All township meetings will continue to be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month with the following dates put in place. January 12; February 9; March 9; April 13; May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug 10, Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9 and Dec 14, 2021, with closing of the books to occur on Thursday, Dec 27, 2021. All meetings will begin at 6:00 pm in the township meeting room. Any variance from this will be posted on the “Marquee” in front of the fire department, on the front door, on the Township’s website, and/or will be noted in the local newspaper.
All books were noted to be in order and will be closed.
The next regular meeting of the board will be held on January 12, 2021 in the township meeting room at 6pm the fire department.
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 pm.
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