The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on February 26, 2008. Those in attendance were Trustees Diane Dillon, Bonnie Howe and David Armentrout, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black, Chief Palmer and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2008-024 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of January 22, 2008. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

To date Darrell has ordered 1125 tons of salt. They have approximately 300 tons left.

Darrell stated since Jennifer and Kelly Avenues have not been dedicated it is the Developers responsibility to plow the roads. Darrell has left a message with the developer and he still hasn’t responded.

Resolution No. 2008-025 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe agreed that upon the discretion of the Road Superintendent to declare a road an emergency on a street that has not been dedicated to the Township to charge the developer a flat fee of $400.00 every time the Township road crew has to plow a private street, plus an additional $100.00 for every thirty (30) minutes spent on the job. The Fiscal Officer will invoice the Developer and they have sixty (60) days to pay, if a payment is not made it would be referred to the Prosecutor’s Office for collection. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-026 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to reduce load limits 35% on all Rootstown Township roads effective immediately. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Darrell advised JoAnn to submit the Luli invoice to the insurance company for repairs charges for the fire hydrant that was damaged.

Darrell said to repair the grater it would cost approximately $2,000.00. A representative from Hubbard will be looking at the grater to see if it is worth repairing.

Diane asked how much it would cost to pave Lynn Road. Darrell said typically the cost for paving is $55,000 per mile. Bonnie suggested having the county chip and seal in the spring. Darrell will check on the price from the county.

Darrell said if we decide to purchase a tractor the road crew can mow the park instead of hiring it out.

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

Resolution No. 2008-027 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to have Buckeye Garage Door install five (5) remote garage door openers for the Town Hall garage and the storage building on New Milford Road in an amount not to exceed $1,800.00. This includes installation. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-028 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to purchase a television with DVD, refrigerator and microwave from Sears for the newly remodeled break room and training facility in the Town Hall in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were five (5) act of business.

Resolution No. 2008-029 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to grant permission for the developer to install a hard surface material onto the easement used to access the old cemetery on Tallmadge Road. Upon the guidance of Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office who will prepare the legal documentation to grant the developer use of the Township’s easement. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Jim said the computer has arrived and the actual cost was $1,108.00.

Diane said the Town Hall will basement need to be waterproofed in the spring.

Resolution No. 2008-030 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to schedule a public hearing for Zoning Commission amendments 2008-1, 2, 3, 4 to be held on March 25, 2008 at the Rootstown Town Hall at 6:15 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

The Joint Board Meeting will be held March 10th, 2008 at 6:30 PM.

Resolution No. 2008-031 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the resignation of David Harmon of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Patricia Harmon of the Zoning Commission. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Palmer completed the Good Housingkeeping Plan (GHP) for storm sewer program. He gave the draft to Julie to make changes. Training will be held March 3rd at the Fire Station.

For the month of January they received $4,422.72 for non-resident ambulance billing and billed $5,670.00 for transports. Last year at this time we received $2,628.17.

Justin Meonske has been updating the web page.

Diane presented Chief Palmer’s strategic plan for 2008 to the Board for their review.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Parkland:

Diane gave the Board copies of park rules that were presented by OTARMA for their review. Diane suggested placing the rules at each entrance of the park and by the lake. Diane suggested ordering a park sign for the entrance off of Case Avenue.

Dave said there were two (2) submissions for the entry for the 2008 Amateur Photo Contest. They are as follows:

1. Reflections In Fall, taken by Leslie Christensen
2. Our Front Yard, taken by Kelly Christensen

Resolution No. 2008-032 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to award the prize donation to Leslie Christensen in an amount not to exceed $50.00 for the 2008 Amateur Photo Contest entitled Reflections In Fall taken of Breakneck Creek on Sandy Lake Road. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-033 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe that due to lack of participation to discontinue the amateur photo contest at this time. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Dave said the Prosecutor’s Office will be conducting a Township Trustee and Fiscal Officer Seminar on March 29th.

Resolution No. 2008-034 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to send a donation of $250.00 to the Rootstown Local Schools to go towards the newsletter. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

NEW BUSINESS

Bonnie said the Hot Stove will be hosting a Summer Fest May 24th. All non-profit organizations are welcome to set up booths.

Diane said since the final payment was made for the Swinehart property the lien should be released. JoAnn said Chris prepared the satisfaction of mortgage. The Board agreed to process the paperwork.

Diane said Brimfield Township currently publishes a newsletter. She presented the Board a packet of information regarding the publication for their consideration. The cost for the creation is free the only cost would be postage. Dave will review the packet and will give to Bonnie when he is finished.

Dave reported Dan Frank has resigned from the Breakneck Creek Coalition. We are currently looking for a new member. Dave asked the Record Courier reporter to put a blurb in the newspaper. The Coalition currently meets monthly.

The Board agreed to hold the proposal from Ohio Edison regarding installing a street light at Rosaland and Curtis Drives.

Dave met with a representative from First Energy and since there is not a pole installed at the intersection of Jennifer Avenue and New Milford road he suggested installing it across the street. The estimated cost is $2,500-$3,500.

Resolution No. 2008-035 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to request a proposal from Ohio Edison to install a street light at Jennifer Avenue and New Milford Road and Kelly Avenue and New Milford Road. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

JoAnn received an e-mail from Tommie Jo from the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office regarding Township employee vacation/sick accruals. She said there is nothing in the Ohio Revised Code that mandates the accruals. Each Township can set their own. JoAnn said she would get a copy of the Counties section for the Board to review.

The Board agreed that there should be a policy in place for an employee who runs out of sick and vacation leave if the employee is allowed to continue their benefits. JoAnn will also get a copy of the Counties section for their review.

The Board discussed the increase of dues for 2008 from the Portage County Regional Planning Commission. The Township’s increase is $2,065.00 making the total dues for 2008 $6,195.00. Diane suggested getting a legal opinion from Chris Meduri before the Board supports the increase. The Board agreed.

Diane suggested the flag pole blurb that is posted on the Township web site to include, we will not accept anonymous donations just in case we do not get enough funds and they will need to be returned. She also suggested re-locating the blurb to the “community information” link. Diane recommended that two (2) of the three (3) Trustees approve information before posting on the web site. The Board agreed. JoAnn said to date there has no donations for the flag pole.

FISCAL OFFICER

JoAnn gave the Board an invitation for the Ohio Division of Liquor Control permit conference.

JoAnn gave the Board a letter asking for donations for the Ohio Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park.

JoAnn gave the Board a copy of the Health Departments current fees.

JoAnn gave the Board a letter form Chris Meduri regarding the fire hydrant issue. Diane suggested JoAnn getting several dates from Chris Meduri to discuss this issue. The Board agreed.

JoAnn received a certified letter from Neighborhood Development Services regarding the proposed Rootstown housing villas that will be installed on Sabin Drive.

JoAnn gave the Board a listing of safety and training materials to be presented by OTARMA. She also gave a copy to Darrell and Chief Palmer.

Resolution No. 2008-036 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to enter into an agreement with Time Warner Cable for video service providers as presented by the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-037 – 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. 2008-038 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout that the Rootstown Township Trustees move into executive session at 7:40 PM to discuss personnel issues. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-039 – Upon conclusion of the above referenced discussion a motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe that the Rootstown Township Trustees move out of executive session at 7:46 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

After exiting Executive Session, the Rootstown Board of Trustees took the following action.

Resolution No. 2008-040 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to appoint Jennifer Milnes to the unexpired term of David Harmon to the Zoning Board of Appeals Board term expiring December 31, 2012. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-041 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to appoint Diane Esola to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an alternate term expiring December 31, 2008. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-042 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe to adjourn at 7:50 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________________
Diane Dillon
Chairperson

_____________________________________
JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer