January 2021
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 1-12-2021
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Those in attendance were Jason Taylor, Road Maintenance Employee for the Township; Craig Knox, Fire Chief; 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 Dozer at 6:00 pm.
Pledge to the flag was led by Derek Dozer.
Agenda approved.
Minutes -- **Edit – the cell phone allowance increase voted on by the board at the December 28th meeting has been withdrawn after legal counsel has encouraged the board to leave the allowance at $70 per month for each trustee and the fiscal officer.
Public Participation: None
Fire Department Business:
Chief Knox— Ty Fox has resigned due to personal reasons with his regular job. Marty Mercer will also be resigning. Bathroom renovations are coming along slow but sure. They are looking at pricing for an epoxy floor. Finley Fire is now Atlantic. Warranty issues on the Medic are being looked into by Finley / Atlantic.
Training classes are off to a great start for the year. They will be splitting the time between NTFD and Dresden Fire Department. The Marshalls office has issued a grant for the fire class that is starting and it will pay for the entire class for all students. Smart boards will be delivered this coming Monday.
Dozer asked Chief Knox about signage on the door requiring masks. The gym will be closed in the near future to paint, for about 6 weeks. They will be renting a lift to do the painting and to replace the motion sensing lights. Stephenson brought up the gym floor. There was some discussion into the repair the floor.
Knox asked about getting the blacktop on the apron in front of the truck bay doors fixed. They discussed concrete possibly being the better option. He is estimating between $30,000 and $35,000 to pour concrete. Jason Taylor agreed to look at it and see what the road crew would be able to do to help out with the repair. Knox has budgeted about $68,000 for building improvements for 2021.
Assistant Chief—none.
Road Report – Jason Taylor— The yards in Fultonham have all been fixed. Culvert replacements are planned in the next week or so. The road crew is preparing for spring. Stephenson had an issue come up by the County Engineer’s office on Fletcher Road in regards to the bridge that is out. The County is going to replace the bridge and the residents in the area are not going to be happy. Shaw Road is another Engineer issue – asking to abandon the bridge. The trustees all agreed that they will allow the Engineer’s office to approach the property owners.
Old Business – Discussed the letter from the County Commissioners regarding the Avondale streets. They recommended the township apply for a CDBG grant. Fiscal Officer will look into the grant.
New Business – Asphalt / Chip Seal for 2021 – Foxfire and Thompson Run may be it and possibly Yost.
Trustees Reports:
Stephenson— Nothing more
Smith— Nothing more
Dozer— Nothing more
Fiscal Officer Report:
· Distributed Grassroots Clippings.
· Presented the following resolutions for approval and signatures:
o 01/2021 – To set up temporary appropriations to fund 2272 for Coronavirus Relief since the deadline to spend those dollars has been extended to December 31, 2021.
· Letter was received from the County Commissioners regarding Avondale streets.
· MORE Grant was received.
Trustee Smith 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, February 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm at the Fire Department.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
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