MINUTES OF THE ROOTSTOWN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
Februry 8, 2011

The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:31 p.m. on February 8, 2011. Those in attendance were Trustees Brett Housley, Bonnie Howe and Diane Dillon, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Bill Hahn, Van Black, and Julie Gonzales.
Resolution No. 2011-030 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the minutes of January 25, 2011. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, Brett Housley, yea.
ROAD SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Bill ordered an additional 425 tons of salt. It is currently on back order.
The pump on the salt spreader needed to be replaced on the new Ford. The cost was $385.35.
Bill reported they have changed companies where they purchase hydraulic fluid. We currently pay $613.00 a drum, Ravenna Oil sells 55 gallon drum at a cost of $399.00 plus $25.00 drum fee.
A representative will be out to demonstrate which cutting edge for the plows would be appropriate for the Township. He will explain how to get a longer life out of the cutting edges.
Bill met with Bob Rummel regarding the electrical work at the garage. He has been on vacation and anticipates completing the project by the end of the month. This is a NOPEC grant project.
Cemetery
There were two funerals since the last meeting one on February 4th and another on February 7th.
Bill reported they attended the Open House on the new asphalt. He said it is expensive.
ZONING INSPECTOR REPORT
Van reported that Jim will be attending a meeting on February 17th at Regional Planning Commission regarding internet café.
The documents for NOPEC have been sent.
Mr. Kitchen (tenant) has been giving Jim copies of his heating bills for the NOPEC grant.
There were no permits issued.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Diane reported there is no new business.
RESIDENT’S COMMENTS
Tim Sauner a resident of Rootstown was present and would like a copy of the budget for the Township.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Brett left several messages with Chris Meduri regarding the zoning issue.
The Board is in contact with NEOUCOM regarding the possible JEDD.
Brett will check with Jim to see if he kept copies of the NOPEC grants that were submitted.
The Board discussed the indigent burial policy for the Township. They adopted the following resolution:

RESOLUTION No. 2011-031 RE: CREATE AN INDIGENT
BURIAL POLICY FOR THE
TOWNSHIP OF ROOTSTOWN, OHIO.

It was moved by Diane Dillon, seconded by Bonnie Howe that the following resolution be adopted:

WHEREAS, Section 9.15 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that if a person who is a legal resident of a township dies, and the decedent was not an inmate of a correctional institution, or a benevolent institution, or a charitable institution, and if no person claims the body for burial at the claimant’s own expense, then the township in which the decedent resided, shall cause the body to be cremated at the expense of that township; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Rootstown Township Board of Trustees upon a review of the facts surrounding: ___________________________________(decedent), hereby determines that the decedent was a resident of Rootstown Township, and that no person has claimed the body for burial purposes, and that there is a reasonable belief that the decedent is indigent; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Rootstown Township Board of Trustees consent to services which shall be performed by the following funeral home: ________________________________. ; and be it further

RESOLVED, the Rootstown Township Indigent Burial Program is not supplemental. Funeral home personnel shall not ask for or accept any funds above the amounts set forth herein.
The amount of $1,000.00 for the cremation of an adult;
The amount of $450.00 for the cremation of a child (1-18 years);
The amount of $150.00 for a baby (fetus to one year)
This includes transportation of the deceased to Rootstown Homeland Cemetery or any unanticipated fees or charges; and be it further

RESOLVED, the deceased must be buried at Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown, Ohio; and be it further

RESOLVED, in accordance with RC 9.15 the Township shall provide, at the grave of the person’s cremated remains, a stone or concrete marker on which the person’s name and age, if known, shall be inscribed.

RESOLVED, upon completion of the funeral, the funeral home shall submit an itemized bill to the Township containing the following information:
Name of Deceased
Age of Deceased
Place of burial
Services provided
Total cost of the cremation (instead of funeral)
Amount received from other sources
Amount due from the Township
Said itemized bill shall not be submitted until thirty (30) days after the services are provided; and be it further

RESOLVED, the funeral home and the Township shall make every effort to locate funds from other sources. The Township may also file an estate lien with the Probate Court if it feels funds may be available. If funds are located, the Township is paid back. Any monies reimbursed to the Township will go to the General Fund; and be it further

RESOLVED, this policy is contingent upon the current Ohio Revised Code which enforces townships to pay expenses for indigent burial; if the Ohio Revised Code is modified and no longer requires townships to pay this policy will then be reviewed by the Township Trustees; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Board of Rootstown Township Trustees finds and determines that all formal actions of this Board concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were taken in an open meeting of this Board and that all deliberations of this Board that resulted in those formal actions were in meeting open to the public in compliance with the law including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Voice vote was as follows:
Brett Housley, Yea; Bonnie Howe, Yea; Diane Dillon, Yea;
* * * * *
Judy Adamson was present and asked the status of the two recommendations from the Zoning Commission regarding an amendment to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Board does not recall getting any information of these addendums; Judy made the Board copies of her letters. The proposed addendums are as follows:
1. To remove the term "designated" in regard to park areas in the Township
2. To connect the Township with current hike and bike trail routes

The Board agreed to discuss this when Jim Mahood, Zoning Inspector is present.
Diane suggested scheduling the pavilion at the park for a "Community Yard Sale" to get more people in the Township involved and to see the park. Brett suggested incorporating it with the Hot Stove event. JoAnn will ask Mr. McIntyre when that event is scheduled.
FISCAL OFFICER
Sean Sprouce will be attending the next Board meeting (February 22nd) at 6:00 PM to discuss HRA for health benefits. The Board said Township employees and their spouses are welcome to attend. This is a voluntary meeting; Township employees will not be compensated. Julie will e-mail a flyer to Bill Hahn and Chief Palmer so they can inform their employees.
Resolution No. 2011-032 - Motion by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea, Brett Housley, yea.
JoAnn gave the Board applications for the snow plow position. Bonnie and Bill will review the applicants.
Tim Sauner said he was interested in serving on the Zoning Commission Board. Diane said we have a vacant position as an alternate with both boards at this time. She explained the Board of Appeals and Zoning Commission. Mr. Sauner will submit a letter of interest.
Resolution No. 2011–033 - Motion by Brett Housley to adjourn at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Brett Housley, Chairman
___________________________________
JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer

WHEREAS,	Section 9.15 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that if a person who is a legal resident of a township dies, and the decedent was not an inmate of a correctional institution, or a benevolent institution, or a charitable institution, and if no person claims the body for burial at the claimant’s own expense, then the township in which the decedent resided, shall cause the body to be cremated at the expense of that township; now therefore be it
RESOLVED,	that the Rootstown Township Board of Trustees upon a review of the facts surrounding: ___________________________________(decedent), hereby determines that the decedent was a resident of Rootstown Township, and that no person has claimed the body for burial purposes, and that there is a reasonable belief that the decedent is indigent; and be it further
RESOLVED,	that the Rootstown Township Board of Trustees consent to services which shall be performed by the following funeral home: ________________________________. ; and be it further
RESOLVED,	the Rootstown Township Indigent Burial Program is not supplemental. Funeral home personnel shall not ask for or accept any funds above the amounts set forth herein. The amount of $1,000.00 for the cremation of an adult; The amount of $450.00 for the cremation of a child (1-18 years); The amount of $150.00 for a baby (fetus to one year) This includes transportation of the deceased to Rootstown Homeland Cemetery or any unanticipated fees or charges; and be it further
RESOLVED,	the deceased must be buried at Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown, Ohio; and be it further
RESOLVED,	in accordance with RC 9.15 the Township shall provide, at the grave of the person’s cremated remains, a stone or concrete marker on which the person’s name and age, if known, shall be inscribed.
RESOLVED,	upon completion of the funeral, the funeral home shall submit an itemized bill to the Township containing the following information: Name of Deceased Age of Deceased Place of burial Services provided Total cost of the cremation (instead of funeral) Amount received from other sources Amount due from the Township Said itemized bill shall not be submitted until thirty (30) days after the services are provided; and be it further
RESOLVED,	the funeral home and the Township shall make every effort to locate funds from other sources. The Township may also file an estate lien with the Probate Court if it feels funds may be available. If funds are located, the Township is paid back. Any monies reimbursed to the Township will go to the General Fund; and be it further
RESOLVED,	this policy is contingent upon the current Ohio Revised Code which enforces townships to pay expenses for indigent burial; if the Ohio Revised Code is modified and no longer requires townships to pay this policy will then be reviewed by the Township Trustees; and be it further
RESOLVED,	that the Board of Rootstown Township Trustees finds and determines that all formal actions of this Board concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were taken in an open meeting of this Board and that all deliberations of this Board that resulted in those formal actions were in meeting open to the public in compliance with the law including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.