May 2023

NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 5-9-2023

Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.  Those in attendance were Craig Knox, Fire Chief; Larken Slack, Derek Dozer and Randy Elson; Township Trustees and Paula Frank, Fiscal Officer. Also, in attendance were, township residents:  Bernadine Swingle, Kent Cornett, Renee Stackhouse, Shane Stephenson, Brandon Stackhouse

Meeting was called to order by Trustee Dozer at 6:00 pm.

Pledge to the flag was led by Derek Dozer.

Agenda:  approved. 

Minutes:  approved. Gilder not Gilver

Public Participation:  None.

Fire Department Business:  101 dispatched calls in April – 74 in Muskingum County and 27 in Perry County.  There were 3 uncovered 12-hour shifts in April due to vacations and kids sporting events.  The training division is finishing a Firefighter II course and an EMT class.  The department has starting the annual hose, ladder and pump testing.  The award date for the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for 2022 has been pushed back to sometime in August or September.  The department has been given a donation of aluminum building that they will put at the radio tower to replace the wooden shed that has been there for the past 30-40 years.  They have also received a donation of vinyl fencing for around generator pad.

Larken mentioned needing to put an extension on the sump pump.  Craig said they tried a check valve but the water falls back down and the sump pump kicks back on.  The water appears to be ground water that keeps collecting there.  They have considered building a roof over the stair well to help keep water out also. 

Derek mentioned the one employee that is not making any attempt to return calls or texts.  Craig said they have been terminated.  Two others do not want to work shifts but want to work events so could be just part of the association.  The remaining two – one has a kid graduating and then will be able to work a few months.  Craig asked at last nights’ meeting if they would be willing to do a 6-day rotation to help cover shifts.  Once loan debt is paid off next year, there should be money to pay 2 full-time people each day, leaving just 1part-timer per day.

Assistant Chief:  none.

Road Report:  The one-ton needed aligned – it is eating tires.  Hydraulic leak was fixed in the dump truck.  The roof on the new part of the garage has facia board falling off.  Larken said they will need to contact some people to get prices for fixing that.  Jason is working on getting the mower fixed.  Elson asked Knox if they could borrow the Fire Department mower to mow the grass around the garage.  Knox said any days but Tuesday or Friday. 

They have been fixing bad spots on some roads.  Lewellyn is really bad.  Dozer said to do the best he could to get one lane passable on Lewellyn.  Pat Kelly contacted trustees about Porter Run Rd – Jason has gotten that taken care of.

Larken wants to see about getting the fence moved on Porter Run so the road could be widened.

The backhoe has died and is too expensive to fix.  The hydraulic pump went out.  You have to replace 3 pumps.  Dozer asked if he has called anyone about removing tracks and motor since those are still good.  Jason estimates it would cost about $24,000 to repair.  Larken has pricing for a new hoe.  They are few and far between and very hard to locate.  They found a used one but it sold before they were able to look at it.  Dozer asked what the rental price is for a three-month rental.  Jason says about $10,000.00. 

Discussion followed regarding the ORC that states that local gov’t has lease to own now instead of purchasing.  Huntington gave rate of 4.88% for 7 years and 4.93% for 5 years on $93,360.20 loan with $25,000.00 down payment. 

Larken made a motion to purchase a new Case Backhoe from Southeastern on the 5-year plan, with Huntington Bank at a purchase price of $93,360.20, with $25,000.00 down.  Elson 2^nd.  Motion passed.

Old Business:  Shaw Road – Larken has permission from 4 landowners to take out trees and move the bank back.  There are several roads that need ditching now.  Larken suggested having Bob Mock or Russell Hina do some ditching.  Dozer said he would need some estimates from them first.  They can discuss those estimates at the next meeting.

Larken finished reviewing the Joint Solid Waste Management Plan and presented the details to the board. 

Larken said there is still no update on the new blade.

Dozer brought up the junk cars – Barnett’s on Baughman Run and Taylor’s on Lincoln Street in Avondale have both taken care of the issues with their junk vehicles.  Larken asked if they wanted to proceed with a 2^nd letter to the individuals that have not addressed their issues.  Dozer stated that yes, they could do that. 

Dozer wanted to get on record, a few messages received regarding the junk cars legislation.  “I’ll keep as many vehicles as I want, (expletive) you and your whole system.  Come get ‘em (expletive).”  “Government website – does that mean you are worthless and should put a bullet in head or no?  Asking for a friend.”   The Sheriff’s department was to visit the second individual.  The other individual is a relative of the Temple’s stated—Matt Temple “Just goes to show you don’t care about the common people.  You just care about the voices of those with money and who support your campaigns.  You are directly messing with the way many of us make a living and keep a way of life alive where we don’t have to rely on buying new parts or even new cars every few years because we have the skills and knowledge to know how to work on and to rebuild older cars.  You are starting problems with a larger majority than you planned on. This isn’t Maple Avenue or downtown Zanesville or isn’t Columbus or any other big development.  This is back roads and backwoods of Ohio and if you want to live by big city rules and regulations, move yourself there and leave us who enjoy our way of life alone.”

There are two others but there are no threats and they do not appear to be township residents.

The Trustees take these threats seriously.

New Business:  Chip seal and paving for 2023 --- Shaw, Butcherknife, Bush Run, Carson, Opera, Huggins, Crock, Harlen, and Slack.  Dozer is not sure about bringing Butcherknife to blacktop.  Slack asked about Crock Rd. being paved since there are a lot of new houses being built there.  Crock is 1.9 miles long.  Discussion followed about places where pavement is breaking down on Foxfire and Thompson Run already.  Slack – if Crock doesn’t get paved then chip and seal again.  Maybe East Darlington hill and Yost Rd hill.  Slack asked about just paving problem areas.  Dozer states that it is just not very effective. 

Larken is waiting on the prosecutor’s office for wording for signs to be put at Mona and Dona stating no semis.

Trustees Reports: 

Elson—none.

Dozer— none. 

Slack—none.

Fiscal Officer Report:

·         Distributed Grassroots Clippings

·         Presented Resolution and Certificate of Authorization provided by Huntington Bank to allow the Fiscal Officer to execute documents to enter into a lease to purchase a new backhoe from Southeastern Equipment.

·         Presented Resolution 07/2023 to reallocate funds inside general fund to allow for the last fund balance adjustment for the 2021 audit.

·         Presented a proxy statement for signature from OTARMA.

·         Solid Waste Resolution presented for signature.

Trustee Slack made a motion to pay bills.  Trustee Dozer 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 Thursday, June 15 at 6:00 pm

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.