November 2022
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 11-8-2022
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Those in attendance were Craig Knox, Fire Chief, Jake Lutz, Assistant Fire Chief; Larken Slack, Derek Dozer and Randy Elson; Township Trustees and Paula Frank, Fiscal Officer. Also, in attendance were, township residents: Brandon Stackhouse, Dora Maxwell, Samuel Lantz, Shane Stephenson, Bernadine Swingle, Greg Fisher and Joh Stottsberry.
Meeting was called to order by Trustee Elson at 6:00 pm.
Pledge to the flag was led by Randy Elson.
Agenda: approved.
Minutes: approved.
Public Participation: Greg Fisher – shares a driveway with 4 people – wondering if there could be any maintenance done to that drive. Dozer told him it has to be brought to a certain standard before the township could decide if they want to take it over. The 4 way stop at Bob Mock’s – wondering if there was a way to put in speed bumps or anything to get people to slow down so they will stop at the stop sign. The board said they would look into what could be done.
Dora Maxwell – Feb 25th – alcohol permit with deputies for the Hillbilly Casino Night. The board agreed with that. She also asked about a Beer Garden on Saturday night during Community Days. She just wanted their thoughts before they proceed any further. Dozer asked what the benefit would be. She said revenue and maybe bring more people to the event that night. Dozer said to come back in the spring and they will discuss it again.
Fire Department Business: There were 93 dispatched calls in October. 69 were Muskingum County and 24 were to Perry County. Total for the year is 1,126. Chief’s meeting on Sunday regarding staffing and budget for 2023. Fire safety classes were held at Foxfire and Maysville Elementary. The Maysville Preschool will have a field trip here November 14th.
Department Christmas dinner is December 4th.
The windshield on 1081 was cracked and insurance is going to cover the cost which is around $4000.00. The insurance will also cover the damage to the brush truck with the exception of the $250 deductible.
Atlantic has offered $15,000 for old medic –payment will be made once title is received. The board agreed that is more than what it would have brought at a public auction. Derek made motion to accept and Randy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Walk in cooler – he is still researching. It is not something that needs done right now. Dozer asked if there was a way to leave the door open on the walk-in so it didn’t sit stagnant and not cooling. Larken said he would ask around to see what should be done with that situation. There are also two mini-split units that Kessler is working up a repair estimate on.
Joe Hunt has resigned and Dave Lovejoy is coming back to take over that spot.
The Association is updating their bylaws and they have approved the classifications with how the fire department operates. People were taking up spots as employees of the fire department but were not truly employees of the department. There are now positions available in the department for those who wish to help out as a charitable position buy not tying up a spot as an actual employee. Craig has called a few people to see if they would pick up a shift per month, to work around their schedule. Unfilled shifts have improved.
Appalachian Community Grant Program – there is a lot of money out there but it is not very accessible to us. Training division is looking into funding to work with Foxfire to do fire training there. Foxfire is getting a grant to offer those courses. They are also looking into possibly partnering with Hocking College. Newton is a competitor with Mid-East for Fire / EMS training, and they do not like to work with Newton. When Newton got the State Charter is when that happened. November 2nd is when the meeting was held and the application has to be submitted on November 9th, which didn’t give much time. Craig said there aren’t many training charters in southeastern Ohio—maybe 4 or 5. The money would benefit if a group of training centers came together to build something that could be used by the entire group.
Assistant Chief: none.
Road Report: Would like a couple hundred ton of sand delivered. He is taking care of the issue on Thorn Drive. He is going to take care of Mrs. Tignor next. There is a supply issue on catch basins. He can do the cold patching at the same time. Larken suggested putting some sand over the cold patch so it doesn’t mark up the concrete driveway. Jason is also going to work on the ditching on Broadvue. Fletcher Road bridge is open and the state put in a stop sign. Derek asked him about the culvert on Lewellyn. Jason said he would get to that as well. Workman Road culvert under the road needs extended so the water runs into the creek. Randy said there are some vehicles on Mona Drive that need moved before winter. Craig suggested putting up a sign that there is no parking in that area when snow exceeds 2” and then it can be enforced. It has to be a white sign, with a border and so tall. Craig asked Jason about backfilling around the new concrete at the fire station. Jason said he would see if he could get that done.
Old Business:
New Business:
Trustees Reports:
Elson—none.
Dozer— none.
Slack—none.
Fiscal Officer Report:
· Distributed Grassroots Clippings
· Resolution 14/2022 – to appropriate an additional $2000.00 for the 3901 Misc. Debt Service fund for the annual lease payment on the fire department building. And to reduce appropriations in the General Fund (1000) by $23,893.40 due to over-estimated revenue for the year.
· Resolution 22-1063 from County Commissioners regarding Darlington Road dedication for bridge replacement.
Trustee Slack made a motion to pay bills. Trustee Elson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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 13, 2022 at 6:00 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.
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