The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on January 8, 2008. Those in attendance were Trustees Diane Dillon, Bonnie Howe and David Armentrout, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black, and Julie Gonzales.

JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer opened the meeting at 5:30 PM.

Resolution No. 2008-001 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to appoint Trustee Diane Dillon as Chairperson for 2008. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-002 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to appoint Trustee Bonnie Howe as Vice Chairperson for 2008. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-003 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to continue the current times and dates for the Township Trustee Board Meetings commencing at 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at the Rootstown Town Hall. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-004 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to continue using Key Bank as the Township checking account and Star Ohio as the Township savings/investment account. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-005 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to keep the existing fee schedule for zoning and Homeland Cemetery. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-006 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to adopt the current copy fee of .10 cents per page and to adopt the current equipment value at $500.00 not covered by Ohio Revised Code to be included in the year-end Township property inventory. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-007 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to re-appoint David Armentrout as zoning liaison, Diane Dillon as fire liaison and Bonnie Howe as road liaison. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-008 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to amend the current mileage reimbursement rate of $0.485 cents per mile to $0.505. If an employee's personal car is used, actual total mileage should be reported and will be reimbursed at $0.505 per mile according to the Internal Revenue Service’s Standard Mileage Rate Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-009 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of December 27, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

MaKayla Dulaney was present to ask Boards permission to use the Town Hall twice a month on a Wednesdays for study group from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM. The Board asked if it was going to be adult supervised. Makayla said one of the study group participant’s grandmother will be attending. Jim said he believes Wednesday’s are available.

Resolution No. 2008-010 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to authorize MaKayla Dulaney to use the Town Hall twice a month on a Wednesdays for study group from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM for the 2008 school year. The Board agreed it would be adult supervised. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Bill Steiner, new District Coordinator for the Portage County Solid Waste Management District was present to introduce himself and to encourage the Township to participate in the curb side recycling program within the Township.

The following students from the Rootstown High School were present: Jordan Michael, Jessica Edwards and Elizabeth Benshoff. They recently formed a group called “Future Problem Solvers” who wish to promote the recycling program. Jack Edwards asked if the students could go door to door to petition curb side recycling. Diane said several years ago the Board had the community complete surveys and the majority were not interested in the program. At that time the Board agreed to re-visit the issue in 5 years. Diane said the Board would discuss the issue of the petition and would contact Mr. Edwards.

The Board agreed that they are interested in scheduling two (2) clean up days; one in the spring and one in the fall.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There was one (1) act of business.

Jim gave a copy of the e-mail from Chris Meduri regarding the mobile home park to the Board.

Jim is in the process of getting quotes for a new Dell computer. He received one on their web site in the amount of $1,673.13 and was e-mailed a different amount of $1,351.81. Jim will contact Dell directly for a locked in price.

Jim said the holiday decorations have been taken down and stored.

Jim put the amount of hours he worked in 2007 in the Boards mail boxes.

Van has received several calls regarding the increase of traffic on Lynn Road due to the detour of Tallmadge Road. Darrell said they repair the pot holes often. Darrell suggested placing a detour sign.

There will be no Board of Appeals meeting held this month.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

The 20 mph signs have been posted on Rosiland and Kenneth Drives.

The 2007 inventory is completed and given to JoAnn.

Darrell said the road crew viewed the safety tape last week.

Darrell said they still have to purchase fire extinguishers to come in compliance with the Fire Department’s report. Darrell said he isn’t sure if the Fire Department can order them. Diane said they cannot. She asked Darrell to get the contact person from Chief Palmer. Darrell will be rescheduling the meeting with Rob Such.

Darrell asked the status of the paperwork for the new truck. JoAnn needs Board approval for a cash advance into the general fund

Resolution No. 2008-011 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to authorize a cash advance in the amount of $51,240.00 into the general fund to purchase a 2008 2½ ton truck from Power City International for the Road Department. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea; David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-012 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to authorize the trade-in of the old dump truck in the amount of $5,500.00 and the Township will keep the plow. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea; David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Darrell said we own a 1972 road grater. To repair the grater it is going to cost approximately $10,000. In the Traders a 1975 grater costs $12,000. Darrell suggested trading in the 1972 towards a newer grater. The main purpose of the grater is primarily used on Lynn Road. Dave said if we do not use the grater very often we could begin chipping and sealing that portion of Lynn Road. Bonnie said we could possibly use the County Engineer’s grater when needed. Diane asked Darrell to get additional quotes. Darrell will also get the County Engineer’s opinion.

Darrell is in the process of getting quotes for a new tractor for the park.

There was one (1) funeral since the last meeting.

Darrell reported the drives at the Park have been completed. They installed a 40’ culvert pipe today.

Darrell and Bill Hahn will be attending the Advanced Drainage Systems Seminar on January 18th in Wooster, weather permitting.

JoAnn said the safe file cabinet has been ordered.

Resolution No. 2008-013 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to renovate the Road and Zoning Departments in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Darrell will donate some doors to the Town Hall renovation.

Diane spoke to Tommie at the Prosecutor’s Office and according to the ORC Townships can not donate their sick/vacation leave to other employees.

Resolution No. 2008-014 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to suspend Section IV-Benefits, Part F - Vacation Leave in the Township Employee Handbook until the amounts are reviewed by the Prosecutor’s Office. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Dave said a resident on Sandy Lake Road said due to the detour on Tallmadge Road they are having big trucks going on their road. Darrell suggested contacting the County Engineer since it was their road.

Darrell said the tree has been planted at the cemetery for the Davis memorial.

Bonnie said Ms. McKinney contacted her who lives on Smith and Lane and on the east side of the corner there is water running under the road. Darrell said a culvert pipe may need to be replaced. He will check it out.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Diane received a denotation of several multi-roll toilet dispensers for the Park.

Diane suggested Bonnie and Dave talk with their departments to get their goals for 2008. Diane said she would talk to Chuck. JoAnn suggested Jim and Darrell complete agenda’s for the meetings.

Diane said the goal for park development in 2008 is the facilities to have electric and water, picnic tables, outside grills, and a pet station. Diane suggested asking John to build wooden containers around the trash cans. The Board agreed.

Dave said if the flag pole is going to be replaced he would like it done by Memorial Day.

Dave notified all the newly appointed Board members. The Board asked Julie to send letters to the appointees.

Chris Meduri informed Dave he had a discussion with Tony; the Water Company’s attorney regarding a formal proposal for a yearly maintenance fee. Diane doesn’t believe in a monetary decision and Bonnie said she would not agree to a high amount.

The Board scheduled the Joint Boards Meeting for March 10th.

Dave will be attending the Regional Planning Commission meeting tomorrow. There is nothing on the agenda pertaining to Rootstown Township.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2008-015 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.

Resolution No. 2008-016 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon to adjourn at 7:15 PM.

Respectfully Submitted:

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Diane Dillon
Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer