MINUTES OF THE ROOTSTOWN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
March 11, 2008

The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on March 11, 2008. Those in attendance were Trustees Diane Dillon, Bonnie Howe and David Armentrout, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2008-043 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of February 26, 2008. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Darrell suggested replacing the fuel tanks with 1000 gallons above ground tanks instead of 550 gallons underground tanks and relocating them to the New Milford Road site. The EPA will have to pull them out and have the ground tested. The Board agreed for Darrell to get quotes.

The road crew plowed Jennifer and Kelly Drives this past weekend. The Developer (Dale Haggarty) was notified and agreed for the Township to plow. Darrell will complete the log and give it to JoAnn. She will invoice Mr. Haggarty $500.00.

Resolution No. 2008-044 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to purchase office furniture for the Town Hall (downstairs) as follows: Road Superintendent’s desk a conference table six (6) chairs in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Darrell said they are purchasing most of the office furniture from Northeast Ohio Furniture. At this time there were only three (3) chairs available.

The remote garage door openers will be installed tomorrow.

The representative was out to look at the grater and said it is not worth putting $2,500.00 into it. We are better off purchasing another one. Darrell suggested putting the old one on Ebay. Diane asked Darrell to get the scrap cost before posting it on Ebay. JoAnn will see if she has the title for the weight.

The playground equipment has arrived and is stored at the New Milford Road site. Diane said there is a Park Committee Meeting on Thursday and they will be seeking volunteers to help install the playground equipment. The Committee agreed to install it on a Saturday to be determined.

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

JoAnn will process the clothing allowance for the Road Crew.

The Road Crew will be going to a Contractors Open House in Marlboro on Friday weather permitting.

There were a couple of Township sign stolen which will need to be replaced.

Bonnie gave the Board the strategic plan for 2008 for the Road Department.

Darrell said the same company (3rd Day Creation) as last year agreed to mow the cemetery.

Dave reminded Darrell that Bill Hahn will be attending a Storm Water meeting tomorrow at 9:00 AM.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There was one (1) act of business.

Jim said Rich Petro is interested in attending the 2008 Planning and Zoning Commissioner Workshop on May 9th in Akron. Jim will check with other members of the commission to see if they are interested.

The refrigerator has arrived. Jim gave the receipt and rebate form for shipping to JoAnn.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The Board agreed to include the following resolution to the Employee Handbook: Resolution No. 2001-261 – to authorize the waiving of cemetery opening and closing fees for current employees and authorizes the waiving of opening and closing fees for former full-time or part-time employees with at least 7 years of service to the Township.

Dave believes the park rules that Diane gave the Board to review from OTARMA are sufficient.

Bonnie said Mr. Park’s son will be pulling weeds and planting flowers by the park entrance sign on Cook Road.

Dave said we will have an estimate to install the street light on Jennifer and Kelly Drives. Dave will contact First Energy.

Dave said our policy has been for the Township to install the streetlight at intersections and then the residents would be in considered in a lighting district. Dave said if the residents of Rosalind Drive are interested in a streetlight they would have to have a petition signed and bring it to the Board. The street light would cost approximately $800.00 which would be paid by the Township and maintenance would be $2.00 per month, which would be assessed on the homeowners’ property taxes. Dave will contact Mr. Priest.

Dave said Shirley Riemenschneider contacted him to ask for Township’s support for the Portage County Bicentennial celebration. They are in need of a flat bed trailer. The Board agreed “Rootstown Township” should be submitted on the form. Dave will contact Mrs. Riemenschneider.

Resolution No. 2008-045 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to agree to support the Portage County Bicentennial celebration held Monday, June 9, 2008 in an amount not to exceed $500.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Bonnie said Mr. Petro agreed to donate a ring that said Rootstown Township for the Portage County Bicentennial time capsule.

Diane said Joe Paulas is now in charge of the Memorial Day parade. He is asking for road closed signs. She informed Darrell. Bonnie said Mr. Paulas is also looking for judges for the parade. The Board agreed they would be judges only if he can not find anyone.

Resolution No. 2008-046 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to participate in a Township newsletter that is produced by Municipal Publications pending if enough companies are willing to participate in the newsletter. The only cost for the Township would be postage. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Diane received a quote from Mark Hurst to install sewer hookup at the Town Hall and the old Davis house in an amount of $45,000.00. Diane will get more information from the County.

The Board discussed the Regional Planning Commission membership increase. Dave said the next Regional Planning Commission meeting will be held tomorrow March 12th. Dave supports the rate increase they are requesting. Bonnie believes they should try to cut in other areas before increasing rates. Diane said with the economy they probably aren’t bringing in enough revenue. She believes they should restructure internally. Diane does not support the increase. The Board agreed to table it at this time.

Diane noticed that Chasers on Tallmadge Road is closed.

Resolution No. 2008-047 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to make the following corrections to the Employee Handbook:

The Board agreed to edit the Fire Department’s Employee Handbook if needed. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution No. 2008-048 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to adopt the Operations Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Program for Rootstown Township and the Rootstown Fire Department for the Portage County Storm Water Management Program (SWMP). Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2008-049 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to appoint Bonnie Howe for the Shareholders Meeting with the Rootstown Water Company. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2008-050 – 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. 2008-051 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon to adjourn at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted:

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Diane Dillon
Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer