MINUTES OF THE ROOTSTOWN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
October 27, 2009

The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on October 27, 2009. Those in attendance were Trustees Bonnie Howe, Diane Dillon and David Armentrout, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Van Black and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2009-213 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of October 13, 2009. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

RESIDENT’S COMMENTS

Carrie Roush was present to express her concern of the sidewalks from the traffic light in the center of town to the Homeland Cemetery are in need of desperate repairs not to mention the trees needing trimmed back. Dave said back when they were installed the County and the homeowners were responsible. The County installed them and he believes the homeowner was assessed. Bonnie said the Township does not own any sidewalks and are not permitted to install any. Dave will contact Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office to clarify this issue and will keep in touch with Ms. Roush.

Grace Luthy was present regarding a picture from a tombstone that was damaged. She believes it was damaged by the road crew. Dave said he spoke to Ms. Luthy around Memorial Day. She is asking for the Trustees to pay for the damaged tombstone. Ms. Luthy has also been in contact with Darrell. Dave will discuss this issue with Darrell.

Misty Dulaney and Sabrina Christian-Bennett were present from soccer. They asked the Trustees the status of the fields at the park. Diane said it has been a while since a representative from soccer has attended a meeting. Ms. Dulaney heard the field by the pond had too much clay and could not be used. Diane thought the field would be alright to use; the fields at Gracie are clay as well. Other associations such as pee wee football and Hot Stove also want spots at the park. Ms. Dulaney heard that a contract may have been created when Chad Murdock was the Township’s legal counsel. The Trustees do not recall any contracts with the Soccer Association. They haven’t attended a Trustee meeting since January 2007. Diane suggested someone from the Soccer Association attend the Park Committee Meeting in the spring to create an agreement then Park Committee will bring it to the Trustees.

FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT

Diane Dillon reported the following:

The candidates for the captain’s position have all been tested at Summit Physiological. There are no results yet.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Bonnie Howe reported the following:

Resolution No. 2009-214 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to hire Mark Hirst Construction to water proof the Town Hall and other improvements that are needed in an amount not to exceed $13,298.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-215 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to purchase eight (8) two (2) inch in diameter trees for the park at an amount not to exceed $550.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-216 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to remove a total of twelve (12) dead trees. Ten (10) are located on Camp Road that are obstructing the wire lines; one (1) at the Town Hall and the last one at the rental property. The amount is not to exceed $2,000.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Diane suggested Darrell get another quote to remove the dead trees.

The port-o-johns have been removed and the benches and picnic tables have been bolted down in the pavilion at the park.

The old storage building is removed at Homeland Cemetery.

Resolution No. 2009-217 - Motion by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

NEW BUSINESS

Dave will be attending the Portage Soil & Water Conservation District’s 63rd Annual Banquet on Thursday, November 5, 2009 beginning at 6:00 PM at the Maplewood Career Center.

Bill Hahn will be attending the Portage Soil & Water Conservation District’s Storm Water Management Presentation and tour in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at the Suffield Town Hall on November 6th beginning at 1:30 PM.

The National Park Services is sponsoring a meeting to discuss recent Congressional request to conduct a Western Reserve Heritage Area Feasibility Study on November 5th from 10:00 AM to Noon at NEOUCOM. Trustee Armentrout and Shirley Riemenschneider will be attending.

ZONING INSPECTOR REPORT

Van gave the Board a quote to purchase cordless telephones from Staples for the Zoning and Road Departments in an amount of $129.00. JoAnn will check another vendor as well.

Van gave JoAnn a list of members that are interested in attending the 2009 Ohio Cleveland Planning & Zoning Workshop on Friday, November 13, 2009. The registration deadline is October 31st.

Dave reported at the last Zoning Commission meeting wind turbines were discussed. Several residents were out of control. The Chairperson called the meeting. Dave said the Chairperson has the right to ask a person to leave the meeting and if needed contact the Sheriff’s Department.

Dave said the two zoning secretaries could use assistance in purchasing supplies, such as ink cartridges for their printers. A scanner would be helpful.

Resolution No. 2009-218 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon agreed to set a policy that if a citizen requests existing township records on a cd disc to charge $1.00 per disc. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Dave attended the meeting with KLA Risk Consulting on October 22nd and they reviewed the policies and offered suggestions. Dave presented liability forms for the Trustees to review. Dave will also send these to Chris Meduri for review.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Dave suggested connecting the two sidewalks from the Zoning and Road Departments. The Board agreed. Bonnie informed Darrell who said they would be done in the spring.

FISCAL OFFICER

JoAnn gave the following information to the Trustees:

  1. Notification from Morton Salt stating they have been bought out from another company. Rates to remain the same.

  2. A Letter from Municipal Publications thanking the Township for our business.

  3. Correspondence from Medical Mutual of Ohio.

  4. Correspondence from Range Resources regarding mineral rights and capital trade.

  5. A letter from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources regarding Cedar Valley Energy about drilling for oil/gas with NEOUCOM.

  6. JoAnn received the revised agreement from Chris Meduri with the Rootstown Historical Society. JoAnn asked the Trustees to review and to let her know of any changes.

Resolution No. 2009–219 - Motion by David Armentrout to adjourn at 6:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

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Bonnie Howe, Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer