April 2024
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 4-9-2024
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. 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: Brandon Stackhouse, Shane Stephenson, Sam Lantz, Kent Cornett, Renee Stackhouse, Kaitlin Hutchins, and Aaliyah Reed. Others in attendance were Valerie Mozena and Logan Mozena.
Meeting was called to order by Trustee Slack at 6:00 pm.
Pledge to the flag was led by Larken Slack.
Agenda: approved.
Minutes: approved.
Public Participation: Renee Stackhouse asked if neighbors are allowed to live in their camper in their driveway. Trustee Dozer stated that the Township does not have authority over that, without zoning. He told her she might check her deed for any restrictions.
Mowing bids were opened with the following:
Patriot Services: $6,500.00
Jesse Savage: $7,000
Terry Elson: $4,500.00
Grass Guardians: $6,000.00
Derek made a motion to accept Terry Elson’s bid and Larken seconded the motion. Randy Elson abstained and the motion was carried.
Fire Department Business: There were 133 dispatched calls in March – 104 in Muskingum County and 29 in Perry County making the total for the year – 366.
There were 3 uncovered shifts in March due to call-offs. There was a joint training with South Zanesville Fire Department on auto extrication for vehicle fires. They are having a joint training with Falls Township on May 9th. Falls is joining the same regional council of governments placing them under the same medical director as Newton. The medical director will be on-site to do Falls’ onboarding.
They are finishing the quotes to spend the money they received on the Assistance to FF grant for nozzles, hoses, etc.
They are receiving quotes for the mini splits throughout the building that have stopped working.
Abdirahma Abdul is a new-hire onto the department. He was a student at Ohio State University and saw a training flier for Newton. He is in medic school as well.
Craig was nominated by Josh Thomas for a Patriot Employer Award through the Department of Defense. Craig and Jake are going on a re-fueling mission out of Rickenbacker on April 18th as part of this award.
The auxiliary along with the fire department wants to host a family fun day this summer. They are just wanting to check on the liability for an event like that. Derek said that would just fall under the township insurance since all entities operate under the same EIN number.
Derek also stated that a representative from KMLA wants to meet a representative from the fire department to do their risk management assessment.
The dept has had their 2nd planning meeting regarding the levy that is expiring this year. They have determined they would like to plan for a 5-mil permanent levy, so they can do a 10-year budget. This would replace the 3-mil levy that is currently being collected. The current 3-mil levy’s effective rate is almost down to 1-mil or slightly under. The 2017 levy’s effective rate is already down 1.1-mil. They need to contact the prosecutor’s office for a resolution that would then get sent to the Auditor’s office to certify values and then the second resolution certifies the ballot measure to go to the Board of Elections. The June and July meetings will be when these resolutions need to be passed so they can stay on schedule to get this levy on the November ballot.
A $100,000 house would cost $175 for the 5-mil and it currently costs $105 for a $100,000 home under the 3-mil levy. The reason it will be such a large increase is because the taxes being collected now are based on home values in 2000. If it fails this fall, they can run it again in the primary election with a fail-safe of- renewing the current levy in the fall of 2025. Trustee Slack emphasized the importance of educating the public on the reason for the increase in funds needed, e.g. the cost of replacing a fire truck to the tune of 1.5-millon dollars. Fiscal Officer will request the resolution from the prosecutor’s office so we can have it by the May meeting. The board discussed and agreed to move forward with the levy process.
Assistant Chief: none.
Road Report: The small dump truck has been repaired. The F-350 needs a wheel bearing very soon. All the dirt has been hauled in on Porter Run and the culverts just need replaced. They took down the fence.
Crock Road and Huggins Road – Jason has scheduled Birkhimer Asphalt to repair those two roads. Crock is going to cost $4000 (2-1/2” thick) and Huggins is $6,000. Derek and Larken discussed contacting Shelly to let them know their asphalt is falling apart. He also has a price for Thompson Run, Stine and Nutter for $2,500. Larken wondered if maybe instead of cutting out the pavement and packing stone, to just add the pavement over the top. Larken stated the top of Payne is also breaking up.
Larken suggested that in the future, any road that has never been black-topped, to put down a 2” base instead of a 1-1/2” base to alleviate the break down that we are experiencing now on some of these roads.
Derek made a motion to spend $17,500 with Birkhimer Asphalt to get these roads repaired – Crock, Huggins, Thompson Run, Stine, and Nutter. Randy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Jason asked if there could be some rules made for the water department for their repairs that they make after they damage the township roads. Derek asked if Jason could just let them know when a repair is not acceptable and if they don’t fix it accordingly we will bill them for the repair.
Jason has been in contact with the Muskingum County EMA about some damages to Workman and Ford. There are others that he has not documented yet.
The track hoe trailer is just about completed.
Old Business: Holes have mostly been patched on Opera. Derek asked if the Avondale alleys have been repaired yet and Jason said they had not. Randy said the Perry Street sign is missing some letters.
New Business: Larken said there is an issue near Sherman Smith’s at the vacant lot. Water is coming off the alley. The catch basin seems ok. Larken wondered if the township could apply for the CDBG grant to fix culverts. Derek said a lot of that money is awarded based on need to the community but they could try. Larken thought it may be better to try to get Avondale paved with that money instead.
Discussion followed about drainage around Fire department building during last weeks’ storm. There was 18” of water along the gymnasium. Craig said he would see if Stewart’s could come out and camera the line to see if there was a clog somewhere. Craig asked if the board wanted him to reach out the members to see who has carpentry experience to roof off the stair well that leads down to the boilers. They agreed that would be fine.
Craig mentioned the need to have the road
Derek – Iron Spot Veteran’s Memorial – received $$ to get their monument completed. The Word of God Comm Church and the board voted on March 16, 2024 – would like to donate a parcel of land to the township for the purpose of making a monument. The church wants the property to be in the township name so it will forever remain with our entity in case the church ceases to exist. AEP will donate the light to shine on the memorial. Paul Pride is the contact person. Randy made a motion to allow the transfer and Larken seconded the motion. Derek chose to abstain from voting since his father is listed on the monument. The motion carried. FO will contact the Prosecutor’s office to get the transfer process started.
Trustees Reports:
Elson—Randy noted that they need to advertise for the road crew position that is open. Larken presented an ad that he had written.
Dozer—Derek asked if any of the other trustees had spoken to AEP about removing a light in Avondale. Larken and Randy both said they had not.
Slack—Larken asked for the last letters for Junk Motor Vehicles so he can take them to the Sheriff’s office so they can deliver them to the property owners.
Fiscal Officer Report:
· Distributed Grassroots Clippings
· Presented Resolution 03/2024 for signature, if the board wishes to approve the 9-1-1 Final Plan for Muskingum County, as discussed at the March 12th meeting.
· Asked Jason if the title for the new trailer has been notarized so we can transfer the title to the Township.
· White Cottage lots are going to be surveyed for transfer purposes.
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 Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 6:00 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
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