The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on April 10, 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. 2007-063 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the minutes of March 27, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

During the month of March they responded to the following calls:

EMS:	37 responses	Mutual Aid:
Fire:	26 responses	Given:	11
Car:	7 responses	Received:	4
Total:	70 responses

Chief Palmer reported Mitchell’s Communications repaired the radio in truck 2513 in an amount of $180.00.

Chief Palmer spoke to Katherine White-Ridley a representative for Verizon Wireless. She informed Chuck the Township’s cell phone account is currently under a business section and could save money if the account was readjusted to a government account. Darrell will contact Ms. White-Ridley to review the account.

Chief Palmer gave the Board a copy of the 2007 proposed operating budget.

Diane received information regarding a natural gas supplier selling gas at a rate of $9.79 and you can lock the rate for a three (3) year period. Diane said she is currently researching.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were eleven (11) acts of business.

Jim said Walt Fahrny plans on building a new home located next to the property he currently owns. He in the process of selling a portion of the property to Mr. Sparr; who would then use his storage units to increase business. Jim is going to contact Chris Meduri to see if the lot would have to be rezoned because this is currently zoned residential.

Jim said in the minutes of March 27th it states Diane thought Jim should have informed the Board he received a letter from an attorney regarding the property on the corner of Sandy Lake Road and State Route 44. Jim didn’t think it was a big deal.

He asked Mr. Pettigrew to attend a Board of Appeals meeting to discuss his intentions, but he did not show. Jim explained to the Board of Appeals of his intentions. Jim said he did not share it with the Board because he agreed with the letter from Attorney Kehres and had no problems with the issue. Diane said as a general rule in the future she would like to be informed of any correspondence anyone would receive from an attorney.

Dave said last fall the Board received a complaint regarding resident raising chickens on State Route 44 and the neighbors were complaining about waste going onto their property and into the retention pond of Harvest Hills. Jim said he investigated the property after a heavy rain and it was trailing into the pond as well as other areas. Jim spoke to Mr. Snyder and said if there were any other complaints they could come to the Zoning Office to complete a form to submit to the Health Department.

Dave told the Board he spoke to the Building Inspector from Portage County Building Department. The inspection report sent to Mr. Mehl clearly states the buildings must either be demolished or repaired. Every building must be on a foundation. Dave also spoke to Eileen from the Regional Planning Commission regarding funding for demolition work. The deadline for funding is April 20th. Eileen said the Board of Commissioners’ chooses six (6) projects a year and usually choose houses to renovate.

Dave asked the status of the abandon house on Broadway Avenue. Jim and Darrell said the house is occupied. Jim sent four (4) violation letters and they have all been returned. Jim is waiting for the weather to break to see if the property is cleaned.

The Board is reviewing job descriptions for the Road and Zoning Departments.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Resolution No. 2007-064 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to purchase fifty (50) road signs and posts from Signs and Blanks in an amount not to exceed $4,972.43. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Bonnie received the packet for Issue 2-Round 22 for 2008. Darrell will be applying for money to re-pave Sabin, Seifer, Nina and Moser Drives.

Resolution No. 2007-065 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to advertise for road materials bids. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

The County has repaired the sinkholes by Rosalind Drive.

The dump truck is still at Wise’s for repairs.

There were no funerals since the last meeting.

Darrell gave the Board several pictures of buildings for the cemetery. He will get quotes.

Darrell suggested setting aside ten (10) lots for cremation. It would consist of 180 cremations, 3 per grave. Darrell will contact Ron Such for his recommendation.

Resolution No. 2007-066 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to enter into an agreement with 3rd Day Creation to mow the cemetery and park in an amount not to exceed $23,800.00 at the same rate as last year. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-067 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to purchase #304 gravel at $14.00 per ton and grindings at $8.50 per ton; up to 200 tons for the base for the park trails at amount not to exceed $2,000.00; and to rent a bobcat from Leppos at a rate of $250.00 per day for two days in an amount not to exceed $500.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Dave received a complaint regarding a drain being plugged from a resident on Clearview Drive in Queen Development. Bonnie said it is in the cul-de-sac. Darrell will investigate.

Resolution No. 2007-068 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to adopt a policy to check of driving record every three (3) years for all employees in the Road Department. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-069 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to conduct a training policy every year for employees in the Road Department. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

The Board agreed for Julie to accumulate the Road Crew’s hours on a yearly basis to see where they are spending their time.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The Park Committee will be meeting tomorrow. Diane spoke to a contractor who will submit a proposal for installing a pond at the park. The Soccer Association would like two (2) 300-foot fields running north and south at the park. Diane said that would be ½ of the property. The Board agreed to a maximum of 400 feet.

Dave checked with the County right a way regarding the flagpole. Dave spoke to ODOT and they will be redoing that intersection in the near future. He also spoke to the minister of the church to inform him they may be relocating the pole. A company will be surveying that area.

Clean Up Day has been scheduled for June 9th from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. Dave will contact Charlie Ramer to confirm.

The Lion’s Club Clean Up Day is Saturday, April 14th.

Earth Day is April 22nd.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2007-070 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to appoint JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer as the Township’s representative to the Portage County Budget Commission. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-071 - 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.

The Board acknowledged receipt of the letter dated April 10, 2007 from Ron Snyder, President of the Rootstown Water Company.

JoAnn informed the Board of H.B. 694 which went into effect April 1, 2007. It is a fifth degree felony for a contractor or anyone who would donate to your campaign ($1.000.00 individually, $2,000.00 per firm). This includes the spouse and certain family members. Any contract that the Board enters into will need an affidavit that says that particular firm has not contributed. JoAnn said the Prosecutor’s Office has created an affidavit for contractors to sign.

Resolution No. 2007-072 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe agreed to review the Road Department forms with Darrell Stephens, Road Superintendent and to work with Julie Carpenter to re-create any forms needed. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-073 - Motion was made by David Armentrout to adjourn at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

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David Armentrout
Chairman

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer