The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on April 12, 2011. Those in attendance were Trustees Brett Housley and Diane Dillon, Bill Hahn, Jim Mahood, Van Black, and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2011-059 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley to accept the minutes of March 22, 2011. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

James Holcomb, a resident was present to ask if the Trustees would pay for his mother’s cremation. The total cost of the cremation is approximately $1,500.00. Short’s Funeral Home needs $279.00 tomorrow to begin the cremation process. Brett asked Mr. Holcomb a series of questions in accordance with the Township’s Indigent Burial Policy (2011-031). The Board agreed to the following resolution:

Resolution No. 2011-060 – Motion was made Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley to absorb the cost of cremation of Louise Rose Holcomb. The Board agreed to pay $279.00 to Short’s Funeral Home to begin the process of the cremation. This will be the Township’s sole responsibility for this indigent burial. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

The Sterling truck has been repaired from CTR and is back on the road.

The snow plows have been put away and they are getting the mowers ready.

Cemetery

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

Bill suggested trade-in the wheelhorse tractor and purchase another one. He spoke White’s Farm Supply and they are willing to buy the tractor.

Resolution No. 2011-061 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley to trade-in the wheelhourse tractor and purchase a tractor shovel in an amount not to exceed $352.00. The trade-in of the wheelhorse tractor will be deducted from that total. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

The Board asked Bill to get a couple more quotes before actually purchasing the tractor from White’s Farm Supply.

Park

The port-o-johns have been installed at the park.

The damage from the break in at the park has been fixed. Bill will contact Misty regarding the storage cabinet.

The pavilion is completed. Diane received the final inspection from the county.

Resolution No. 2011-062 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley to purchase four (4) trash bins to place at the new pavilion at the park in an amount of $668.00 plus shipping if applicable from Wausau Products. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

Maplewood Career Center is still working on the sign for the pavilion.

Bill reported Mitchell Begg has been doing a good job so far opening and closing the park.

The Board discussed a citizen’s request to be buried with her infant son that died in 1973. Bonnie spoke to several Cemetery Sextons in the county for suggestions and said this process can be done. The Board agreed to table this discussion until Trustee Howe is present.

Diane asked the status of the interviews of the applicants for the new hire in the Road Department. Bill said they interviewed several applicants and that was it.

Resolution No. 2011-063 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley to purchase four (4) white amur carps from the Portage County Soil and Water Conservation District in an amount not to exceed $48.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

ZONING INSPECTOR REPORT

There were two (2) acts of business.

The Joint Meeting will be held April 21st from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.

Jim informed the Board that the Ohio Truck and Trailer building has changed owners. They are in the process of re-roofing and painting.

Jim said Gary Riemenschneider and David Bosko who live on Campbellsport Road stopped in regarding the drilling in the Township. They asked what are our rules and regulations.

RESIDENT COMMENTS

Gary Riemenschneider of Campbellsport Road was present to discuss the oil drilling that is occurring within the township. Diane said the Board doesn’t have jurisdiction for drilling the State now has the authority. She suggested contacting Chris Meduri at the Prosecutor’s Office to see if there are any regulations.

FIRE CHIEF REPORT

Diane reported the fire station received a $4,900.00 check from the Fire Marshal’s Training. This is reimbursement program for training. The check has been forwarded to JoAnn.

Resolution No. 2011-064 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley upon the recommendation of Chief Palmer to accept Jeff Tyler’s resignation as full-time status employee to a part-time employee. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

Resolution No. 2001-065 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley upon the recommendation of Chief Palmer to appoint Josh Craft to full-time position replacing Justin Deluke effective April 12, 2011. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

The Board discussed with Judy Adamson, Zoning Commission Secretary her request of two pending issues with the Zoning Commission that need Trustees action:

1. Amendment to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to remove the term “designated” in regard to park areas in the Township.
2. Addendum to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for areas to be considered for connecting the Township with current hike and bike trail routes.

The Board asked Jim to prepare the wording the Zoning Commission would like the amendment to say. Jim will discuss this at the Zoning Commission meeting on Monday.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board agreed to participate in the Memorial Day parade.

The Board interviewed Claudia Trefnley for one of the Zoning Boards.

Resolution No. 2011-066 – Motion was made by Brett Housley and seconded by Diane Dillon that the Trustees are not interested in the request from Chesapeake Energy at this time due to insufficient information provided. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

Resolution No. 2011-067 - Motion by Diane Dillon and seconded by Brett Housley to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, absent, Brett Housley, yea.

Resolution No. 2011–068 - Motion by Brett Housley to adjourn at 7:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

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Brett Housley, Chairman

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JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer