Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

March 8, 2007

Text Box:

On Thursday, March 8, 2007, the Board of Trustees of Nimishillen Township met in regular session at 7:00 P.M. at the Nimishillen Township Hall with the following members present - Trustees: President Lisa R. Shafer, Vice President Michael L. Lynch, Trustee Allen E. Gress and Fiscal Officer Carlene Harmon.

President Shafer called the meeting to order and led the staff and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

INVOCATION: Mike Lynch gave the invocation.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: (Chief Rich Peterson)

Classification for Part Time Civilian Fire Department Personnel: After discussion, Lisa Shafer motioned for the establishment of a classification for part time civilian fire department personnel, seconded by Mike Lynch. Roll call voting: Lisa Shafer – yes, Mike Lynch – yes and Allen Gress – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-071

Classification for Light Duty Status for Firefighter Personnel: After discussion, Mike Lynch motioned for the establishment of a classification for light duty status for firefighter personnel, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-072

Chief Peterson explained the firefighters would be required to pass a physical assessment course in less than seven (7) minutes, which is a State regulation. This has been established by the Ohio Administrative Codes.

Allen Gress asked Chief Peterson to give an update on the tower at Station #3. The Chief said the tower is up but they are waiting on two antennas. All other communication equipment has been installed, tested and ready to go. The CAD and phone systems are in. Training for administration will start next week and the following week, they will be doing user training. If everything goes as expected, the cut over date will be March 29^th.

The Chief said they will be dispatching for thirteen agencies and currently four separate entities have come through the facility. They are working on contracts with these agencies. Chief Peterson said Commissioners Jane Vignos and Gayle Jackson recently toured the facility and both were very impressed and feel it will be an asset to the community.

Allen Gress asked if it would be possible for residents to tour the facility. Chief Peterson said due to the sensitivity of information on the screen, the Center cannot be opened up to the general public.

Allen Gress then asked about the Stark County Fire Chiefs Associations proposal to change EMA. The Fire Chiefs Association wants to change the decision process. Per the prosecutor, there are three ways the EMA can be set up:

A regional EMA with multiple entities, which we are not
An individual EMA, which every township, city and village would be their only EMA, which we are not, and
A creation of a Board that would have representation from fire department, police, hospitals, mayors, EMA’s, etc., which is currently being structured.

Lisa Shafer suggested the Board of Trustees free up their time to attend the Commissioners meeting on March 15^th at 11 AM and let our opinions be known that this is the right thing to do. Allen Gress said he would write a letter to the Commissioners stating that the Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees would endorse the Stark County Fire Chiefs Plan for the administration of the Emergency Management Program in Stark County. The Board agreed.

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

March 8, 2007 (Cont.)

ROAD DEPARTMENT: (Road Crew Member, Jamie May)

Mike Lynch explained that he and Jamie have been evaluating road department equipment, and there are some items that need to be replaced.

Quotes from Akron Tractor and The Dexter Company:

After discussion, LISA SHAFER MOTIONED TO PURCHASE A TIGER MODEL NO. TSF-75-SDC FROM THE DEXTER COMPANY and the options to be included are a side mounted cleaning attachment, a reverse rotation kit for the ditcher and quick disconnects for the ditcher, all to be installed at a total price of $25,590.00 with those options, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Lisa Shafer – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Mike Lynch – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-073

After discussion, MIKE LYNCH MOTIONED TO PURCHASE A NEW HOLLAND MODEL TL90A-DELUX TRACTOR FROM AKRON TRACTOR at a cost of $29,802.00 under the State Purchasing Program, seconded by Lisa Shafer. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Lisa Shafer – yes and Allen Gress – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-074

Discussion was held (depending on price) as to whether or not to have the equipment delivered or the road crew pick up the equipment. This will be decided at a later date.

Quote to Repair the 1988 Trojan Loader - $5,826.63: Discussion was held as to whether or not to fix the Trojan front-end loader or lease a new one. This was tabled so the Board could do some more research on this.

Pipe from Marlboro Supply - $7,000.00: Mike Lynch explained that Marlboro Supply is having a one-day sale on March 9^th to purchase pipe and other materials. After discussion, Mike Lynch motioned for a purchase order to Marlboro Supply in the amount of $7,000.00 to purchase pipe, which would save the township approximately $900.00, seconded by Lisa Shafer. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Lisa Shafer – yes and Allen Gress – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-075

Road Report: After Jamie read aloud his road report, Mike Lynch motioned to accept the Road Report for March 8, 2007, as presented, seconded by Lisa Shafer. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Lisa Shafer – yes and Allen Gress – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-076

Annexation and Road Vacations: This was not on the agenda, but discussion was held on the Jeffries Annexation, request by Dougherty Flowers to vacate Tulane and the Broadway Ditch Project. Keith Lasure talked to Gary Connor about the ditch on Broadway. Mr. Connor advised (weather permitting) they would get the ditches cleaned out and the pipes blown. Discussion followed.

Lisa Shafer then thanked Tom Phillips again for being there for the road department to fix a truck that broke down during a heavy snowstorm. Mr. Phillips received a round of applause.

8:00 PM: Since it was almost 8:00 P. M., Lisa Shafer excused the Louisville High School Government class students, and the elected officials signed their papers.

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

March 8, 2007 (Cont.)

ZONING DEPARTMENT: (Keith Lasure)

Stark County Auditor’s Report: Mike Lynch motioned to accept the February 2007 Zoning Report for the Stark County Auditor, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer - yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-077

Zoning Report: Mike Lynch motioned to accept the Zoning Report for March 8, 2007 as written seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-078

Home Businesses: This was not on the agenda, but Lisa Shafer brought up for discussion about bringing home businesses into compliance with township zoning regulations. Mrs. Shafer said it’s been brought to her attention that there are 38 home businesses that are in compliance with zoning, but there are a lot of other home businesses that are not in compliance with township zoning. She explained that Keith Lasure is working from a master list of approximately 50 businesses that are possibly not in compliance. Out of the 50, Keith said he has made contact with approximately 10 and letters will be sent to 6 more the first of the week. Discussion followed.

EPA REPORT: (Keith Lasure)

Storm Drainage System: This is #3 under Concerns of Trustees, but since it falls under EPA, it was presented at this time. Allen Gress said the Health Dept. will hire interns from the University of Akron (Engineering Students) at about $8.50-$9.00/hr. to do the work figuring it would take about 50 hours of work, which would be approximately $500.00. The Health Dept. would follow up afterwards to make sure the work is done. After discussion, Mike Lynch motioned Nimishillen Township participate in the County Health Department’s program that will hire interns to perform the duties required by the Ohio EPA, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-079

CONCERNS OF FISCAL OFFICER: (Carlene Harmon)

Transfers Per Res#07-021: On 2/24/07: Transferred $10,000 from 1-A-26 Other Expenses to 01-A-10 Legal Counsel.

2007 Permanent Appropriations: Mike Lynch motioned to accept and approve the permanent appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-080

General Fund Review: Fiscal Officer, Carlene Harmon, explained there was a carry over in 2005 of $337,000.00. In 2006, there was a carry over of $274,000.00 in the general fund. With the lawsuit and things that went with it, she’s only anticipating a carry over this year of about $70,000.00. Mrs. Harmon said this is not a good picture and feels when she does the books again this year she will have to incorporate inside millage as she did last year.

Work Session to Discuss Commercial Insurance Renewal: After discussion, Mike Lynch motioned to hold a work session to discuss insurance at 6:00 PM on Thursday, April 12^th, 2007 at Station #2, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-081

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

March 8, 2007 (Cont.)

CONCERNS OF CITIZENS: Tonight’s meeting had one resident sign up to speak.

Bob Bailey of 6700 Shilling NE spoke and commented on the following:

Condition of Shilling Avenue (water run-off and run-on, holes, speeding and accident)
When a road superintendent would be hired and why it is taking so long to appoint one
New direction for the township
Special elections
Wanted to know where the money came from to pay the lawsuit against the township

Explanations and discussion was held on each of the above topics.

CONCERNS OF TRUSTEES: (Lisa R. Shafer, Michael L. Lynch, Allen E. Gress)

Weight Reduction Signs: After discussion, Mike Lynch motioned to place weight reduction signs on Bosler and Shannon, seconded by Lisa Shafer. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Lisa Shafer – yes and Allen Gress – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-082

Annexation and CEDA Agreements: After much discussion, Allen Gress motioned the Board publicly notify the City of Louisville Officials and the Stark County Commissioners that Nimishillen Township is asking for a CEDA agreement and will be following that up with requests to sit down and discuss this, seconded by Mike Lynch. Roll call voting: Allen Gress – yes, Mike Lynch – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-083

Traffic Advisory: Allen Gress reminded everyone that the State Route 44 Bridge over Nimishillen Creek in the City of Louisville will have various intermittent lane restrictions maintained by flaggers until late March for utility work and in preparation for bridge reconstruction.

Excuse Mike Lynch from the 3/22/07 Trustees Meeting: It was noted that Mike would be absent from the March 22^nd Trustees Meeting.

Set Meeting with Stark County Engineers: After discussion, this was tabled to the next meeting. Trustees are to give Sharon dates and times they would be available to meet with the Stark County Engineers and she will coordinate it with the Engineers Office.

Employee Comp Time: After discussion, this was tabled to discuss at an upcoming trustees meeting.

Opinion from Prosecutor Regarding Paper Drive: After discussion, even though this was a great idea, the Board decided that it would take too much of township employees time and also might create a conflict with other groups raising money, such as churches. (Letter attached)

OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS / CORRESPONDENCE:

There was no old business, new business or correspondence to discuss.

CURRENT EVENTS: (Allen Gress)

There was nothing under current events for tonight’s meeting.

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

March 8, 2007 (Cont.)

APPROVE MINUTES:

Mike Lynch motioned to approve the February 21, 2007 Minutes, as written, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-084

APPROVE ALL PURCHASE ORDERS, FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAY BILLS:

Mike Lynch motioned to approve all purchase orders, financial report and pay bills in the amount of $77,645.82, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-085

SIGN CHECKS AND ADJOURN:

Mike Lynch motioned to sign checks and adjourn, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes. MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-086

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

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ATTEST: Carlene Harmon, Fiscal Officer Lisa R. Shafer, President

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Michael L. Lynch, Vice President

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Allen E. Gress, Trustee