The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on March 13, 2007. Those in attendance were Trustees David Armentrout, Diane Dillon and Bonnie Howe, Fiscal Officer, JoAnn Townend, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black, Chief Palmer and Julie Carpenter.

Resolution No. 2007-048 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the minutes of February 27, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were five (5) acts of business.

Jim met with Troy Cutright, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board will be reviewing the variance request regarding the buildable lot that was denied on Biltz Road.

The lettering for the mail slot has been put up.

At the next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting the Epling appeal project will be discussed regarding the mailboxes and signs.

The Joint Board Meeting will be held on Monday, March 26th at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Darrell reported the sign inventory has been completed. He has been putting it in the computer. There are approximately 45-50 signs that need replaced. The larger street name signs do not cost much more than the smaller ones.

Darrell met with Al Mellott regarding repaving Cobblestone, Curtis and Hogle. Mr. Mellott recommended re-paving these roads.

The Board asked Julie to send a letter to the County Engineer requesting them to prepare bid books for Cobblestone, Curtis and Hogle.

The reduce load limit signs have been installed.

Darrell reported Ray’s truck is out of service again. It is currently at Wise’s for repair due to electronics problems.

There were no funerals since the last meeting.

We will soon need to begin advertising for mowing proposals.

The Board discussed the cemetery rules and regulations. The Trustees discussed designating crematory burials in existing lots in section E. Darrell will review the lots and give his recommendation.

Resolution No. 2007-049 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to amend #21 of the cemetery rules and regulations to read the following:

21. One cremation lot shall be provided when the decedent has no life insurance or other assets at the time of death. The Township could provide for cremation and crematory lot, if one is not already owned by the decedent, provided that the decedent is a resident of the Township. Should death occur in a nursing facility outside the Township, availability of this benefit shall be determined by the decedent’s legal domicile prior to the nursing home facility

Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-050 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to donate $300.00 to Jonathan Park for the cost of the Gracie Field Park sign for an Eagle Scout project. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

The Board agreed to proceed with the trails at Gracie Field, weather permitting.

Darrell reminded JoAnn the clothing allowance is due for the road crew.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Palmer gave the Board a copy of the new reimbursement policy for Portage County.

Resolution No. 2007-051 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by David Armentrout to accept Portage County’s reimbursement policy for cost recovery when responding to hazardous materials calls. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Chief Palmer is currently working on next years operating budget. He will tentatively have the budget for the Board at the next meeting.

The following calls were made in February:

EMS:	48	Mutual Aid:
Fire:	25	Given:	12
Car Accidents:	4	Received:	12
Total:	77

The annual confined space training has been completed. This class was paid with State funds and taught by Cleveland State University. The training was held in the tunnels of FSI.

Chief Palmer would like to demonstrate Reverse 911. They currently use analog phones and will eventually need to switch to digital. The new monitors can also be used as receiving units. For instance, if they are on a scene they could hook the monitor to a cell phone and transmit information to the hospital. The Board agreed to have Chief Palmer demonstrate Reverse 911 at the next Board meeting held March 27th.

RESIDENT’S COMMENTS

Mr. Snyder would like to thank Darrell and his road crew for the snow removal on the roads.

Mr. James R. Snyder, representative of the Rootstown Water Service Company was present to ask the Trustees for a letter of support in regards to their application for federal assistance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the office building/maintenance garage project. After discussion the Board agreed to ask JoAnn Townend to contact Kelly Hettrick, U.S. Department of Agriculture to get more information and obtain a legal opinion from Chris Meduri.

Dave will be attending the Regional Planning Commission meeting tomorrow and on the agenda is the request from U.S. Department of Agriculture for Rootstown Water Service Company. The Board agreed Dave should abstain from voting on this issue.

The Board agreed to ask Darrell to get quotes for a pole barn to be installed at the cemetery. Bonnie will ask Darrell to get quotes.

Diane did not receive a proposal from the representatives of soccer regarding the fields nor did they attend the park meeting.

Diane said the Park Board is discussing the possibility of installing a pond at the park. Diane will check with Chris Meduri for the risk of liability.

Dave will contact the church regarding the flagpole. Dave said we might have to move the pole away from the road and eventually replace it.

The Board discussed the Personnel Manual for the road crew. The Board made several changes. Bonnie will give Darrell a copy for his review. The Board agreed to the following:

• Bonnie will check with Jennifer Redman regarding employees to view someone else’s personnel files without getting written permission.
• Change “Time Records” in the increments from every five (5) minutes to every fifteen (15) minutes.
• Bonnie will check with Jennifer Redman regarding employees using sick or vacation time when on Worker’s Compensation.
• Change Section D – Tuition to keep the grade a “C” instead of “B”.

Resolution No. 2007-052 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon after review from Jennifer Redman, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office the Board agreed to accept the Volunteer Liability Release form. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Dave suggested hiring a web master to update the Township web site with Community news weekly.

The Lions Club Clean-Up day will be April 14th at the Rootstown High School.

FISCAL OFFICER

JoAnn notified the Board of a US Census Workshop in Akron.

The 2nd Annual 2007 Planning and Zoning Commission Training Workshop will be held March 30th.

Resolution No. 2007-053 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to enter into an agreement with Portage County Soil & Water Conservation for the Storm Water Program in an amount not to exceed $2,163.60. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

The Board was carbon copied a letter to Bill Lentz from Chris Meduri regarding the Englehart property.

Resolution No. 2007-054 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.

Mojo’s Restaurant has closed but the sports bar in the back remains opened.

Resolution No. 2007-055 - Motion was made by David Armentrout to adjourn at 7:35 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________________
David Armentrout
Chairman

_____________________________________
JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer