The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on September 25, 2007. Those in attendance were Trustees David Armentrout, Diane Dillon and Bonnie Howe. Fiscal Officer, JoAnn Townend, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black, and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2007-139 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the minutes of September 11, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-140 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the special meeting minutes of September 20, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Julie will be typing Issue 2 information. A resolution will need to be adopted and the Fiscal Officer certification signed. It will be given to the County Engineer to submit to the State. It is due October 15th.

Darrell reported that Barbicus Construction is done paving Cobblestone, Curtis & Hogle. They will be berming Curtis drive Thursday, September 27th and will be striping Hogle.

Resolution No. 2007-141 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to purchase sweatshirts for the road crew and zoning department from Cintas. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Darrell said Randolph Township purchased their truck from Wise’s versus using the State Purchasing. The State Purchasing was the lowest bid. Darrell will get specifications and also look at Suffield’s truck to get ideas.

There were no funerals since the last meeting.

The foundations will be poured next week at the cemetery.

Darrell had the road crew sign the job descriptions and will keep them on file.

The new phones have arrived and the men have the same phone numbers.

Dave asked Darrell if he had informed the school that Curtis Drive is now available. Darrell spoke to the Rootstown Bus Garage after the road was paved and they started using it on Monday.

Dave spoke to Eugene Priest who lives on Curtis Drive; he is concerned about the water backing up onto his property. His property is adjacent to Moser’s. Darrell checked the pipes but there are a couple of pipes homeowners installed that have not been checked. The Board suggested Moser’s could possibly clean out the pipes.

Resolution No. 2007-142 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to request a proposal from Ohio Edison to install a streetlight at the corner of Curtis Drive and Rosalind Drive for safety concerns. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Darrell is still working with Rob Such on the cemetery regulations for plots.

Dave suggested moving forward with the storage building at the cemetery.

Dave would like to schedule a safety training session with the road crew.

Dave would like Bill Hahn to log several streets that were missed for the storm water management.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

There were four (4) acts of business.

Jim reported the residents on Broadway are now in compliance. They have moved their camper to the rear of the home and the grass has been cut.

Jim spoke to the Zoning Commission regarding three members who are interested in purchasing the Sommers property off of Tallmadge Road to build student housing for NEOUCOM. Jim informed them that this would have to be rezoned to R-3 and it would not be feasible to rezone. The Zoning Commission Board will be reviewing this issue.

Jim hasn’t had any responses from the Zoning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals to attend the Workshop scheduled next month.

Dave had a resident on Hattrick Road contact him regarding the Township’s policy on barking dogs. Dave dropped off a copy of our resolution.

Resolution No. 2007-143 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to agree to apply for Issue 2 for 2008 money. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

After discussion the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolution No. 2007-144 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Bonnie Howe to modify Zoning Amendment 2007-007 Family, Dwelling/Attached Single Family upon the advise of the Zoning Commission Board, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office and the Regional Planning Commission to the following:

1. Dwelling, Attached Single-Family: A dwelling unit designed and used exclusively by one (1) family that is attached to other dwelling units in contiguous side-by-side groupings, which are physically attached to one another by common or adjoining vertical walls without openings extending from the basement floor to the roof, which have individual heating and plumbing systems and separate ground floor entrances.

2. Dwelling, Cluster Single-Family: A dwelling unit designed and used exclusively by one (1) family and separated from all other dwelling units by open space from ground to sky, which is grouped with other dwellings units in a Planned Residential Development, and which may be located on its own subdivided lot that does not have a front, side and/or rear yard that complies with the standard zoning district regulations.

3. Family: One individual, any number of individuals related by blood, adoption, foster or marriage and no more than two (2) unrelated individuals occupying a dwelling unit and living as a single housekeeping unit, but not including groups occupying a boarding house, a lodging house, club, fraternity, sorority, hotel, motel, or dormitory.

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

Public Hearing closed at 6:30 PM.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Dave said there are two (2) subjects being discussed regarding the fire districts at the meetings. Chuck previously said we do not need to be included in these discussions.

Dave said if the Board decides to replace the flag pole he would like it done before Memorial Day. He spoke to Chuck to possibly place a larger flag pole at the fire station instead of the Congregational Church. Dave said Chuck did not have a problem. Most of the residents Dave talks to want it replaced. Diane said she isn’t in favor of installing anything that is not on our property. The people she has spoken to think the flags we already have placed at the Town Hall, cemetery and the fire station are sufficient.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Park Land:

Diane met with Rootstown Excavating and has checked their references and there were no negative responses. Diane recommended Rootstown Excavating to install the pond at the park.

Resolution No. 2007-145 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to award bid to Rootstown Excavating to construct a 1.6 acre pond; to cut in and rough grade a roadway of approximately 1600 feet; if additional roadway is needed it will be .23 cents per square feet at the park in an amount of $18,960.00 for the pond and $5,810.00 for the roadway; total $24,500.00. The Board agreed that Fred Kotouc will be overseeing the project. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Diane contacted Wendy and there are several documents that need to be completed and faxed to her regarding our insurance rider. Diane also contacted OTARMA and they sent several sets of existing park rules that have lake(s) for the Boards review. Diane said there will definitely be no swimming, no wading, no motorized vehicles and only catch & release fishing.

Diane met with John Hall and the students from Maplewood who will be building the benches and picnic tables. Bonnie suggested replacing the benches at the Town Hall. There are four (4) different designs of benches. The cost would only be for the materials and the road crew could deliver them to the school. Diane suggested getting several handicap tables. The Board agreed.

Resolutions No. 2007-146 –Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Dave Armentrout to have Maplewood Career Center class build the benches and picnic tables for the park for the cost of the materials only. The quantity will be determined by the Park Committee as to how many picnic tables and benches will be needed. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Diane suggested having Hot Stove pay a deposit for using the concession stand at the park. Bonnie agreed the concession stand and restrooms take a lot of abuse. The Board agreed the concession stand and restrooms need upgraded and a locked facility for cleaning material and locked toiler paper holders.

Dave said on the next agenda of the Regional Planning Commission they will be discussing to re-plat a piece of property at the corner of Muzzy and Wilson to combine the lots. He asks if the Board had any comments. The Board had no objections.

Bob Bossow of Wintergreen Development on Sandy Lake & Meloy Roads contacted Dave to see if the Township had any desire to take his open space. Diane would ask the Park Committee for their input. There is approximately 10 acres.

Dave will be attending the Portage County Parks Trails & Greenways Planning Meeting tomorrow at the Rootstown Garden Center.

The Board discussed possible proposals to give to the Rootstown Water Company in regards to the arbitration.

JoAnn said she hasn’t been successful in finding any reports for the Ohio Police & Fire from 1998. She is unsure of the penalties or fines that have accrued. JoAnn will continue looking.

Dave said there has been one letter of interest for the Zoning Commission Board.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2007-147 – Motion was made Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the amount and rates to the Portage County Budget Commission for Budget Year 2008. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-148 - 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.

Resolution No. 2007-149 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe to adjourn at 7:45 PM.

Respectfully Submitted:

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David Armentrout
Chairman

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer