Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

February 8, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, February 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. Safer, 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.

 

GUEST SPEAKER(S): Julie Berberi & Tyson Lamielle – Stark Soil & Water

 

Julie Berberi spoke on Stark County’s MS4’s Storm Water Management Program (SWMP).  They have a Memorandum of Understanding with Nimishillen Township for one of the Minimum Control Measures.  This means that in March 2003, EPA changed a permit and a regulation was issued for Municipal Storm Sewer Systems that were regulated by EPA.  These are places that have storm sewer systems underground.  There are 18 in Stark County and each MS4 had to put together a SWMP and had to complete six Minimum Control Measures.  This was done however the township felt would work best for them – either use existing people or consultants could be hired.  Ms. Berberi said they have a Memorandum with us to do Minimum Control Management 4 which is Erosion Sediment Control, which was $500 to complete.  Anything over one or more acres is reviewed.  They inspect it during construction (which is what Tyson does) and when it’s finished, someone files what is called a ‘Notice of Termination’ with Ohio EPA.

 

Ms. Berberi said they (Stark Soil & Water) have revised the Stark County Erosion Sediment Control Regulations to include water quality.  She said those are at the prosecutor’s office and they are waiting review and comment from them.  They have until March 1st.  She said she hopes to have these adopted before the end of the year stating you have five years to comply and we are now at the end of the 5th year.  She said we (Nimishillen Township) received from them (Stark Soil & Water) another Memorandum of Understanding.  The new Memorandum states Stark Soil & Water will do Minimum Control Measure 4 and Minimum Control Measure 5, which is post construction water quality explaining this is inspecting the practices until forever.  The Memorandum would void the other one and this would be another $500.00 but said Nimishillen Twp. does not have to sign the second one.  She said we, the twp., can do our own post construction and they’ll do the Minimum Control Measure 4 for us.

 

Allen Gress asked if she needed an answer tonight.  Ms. Berberi said they have to have the money by March 29th, 2007 because they get a State match – part of their funding is from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and they need this money matched because they want to hire in a Storm Water Technician to handle the post construction.

 

Mike Lynch asked Keith Lasure to investigate this and report at the next meeting so the Board would have information to make a decision whether or not to participate.  Mr. Lynch said we do have to comply and this might be the best way to go.

 

Keith Lasure said he has done some work on this and it’s his opinion this is the best way to go so we don’t take a chance of the $1,500.00 (per year) fine.  Discussion followed.  (Copy attached)

 

 

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

February 8, 2007 (Cont.)

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT: (Chief Rich Peterson)

 

Meeting to Discuss EMA Reorganization: Chief Peterson reported there will be a meeting at Jackson Twp. Safety Center on February 22, 2007 at 6:30 PM to discuss the proposal for the reorganization of the county EMA.

 

Because this falls on the same night as the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting, the Board discussed changing the 2/22/07 trustees meeting to 2/21/07 so all three trustees could attend the EMA reorganization meeting.

 

After discussion, Mike Lynch moved to change the February 22nd meeting to February 21, 2007 so the trustees can attend the EMA reorganization meeting, seconded by Allen Gress.  Roll call voting:  Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-046

 

ROAD DEPARTMENT:

 

Mike Lynch explained since we currently do not have a road superintendent, Jamie May has stepped in to help.

 

Mr. Lynch said he’s received several compliments on the crew’s snow removal and salting of township roads and thanked Jamie and the crew for their hard work.

 

Lisa Shafer said the road department has been doing a phenomenal job and thanked Jamie and the crew for all their hard work stating its not easy working all day and getting up at 2 in the morning to plow and salt our roads.

 

February 8, 2007 Road Report: After Jamie May read his road report aloud, Allen Gress moved to accept the Road Report for February 8, 2007, as presented, seconded by Mike Lynch.  Roll call voting:  Allen Gress – yes, Mike Lynch – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-047

 

ZONING DEPARTMENT: (Keith Lasure)

 

Zoning Report for Auditor: Mike Lynch moved to accept the January 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#07-048

 

Zoning Report for February 8, 2007: Mike Lynch moved to accept the February 8, 2007 Zoning Report, as written, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-049

 

CONCERNS OF FISCAL OFFICER: (Carlene Harmon)

 

Fiscal Officer Carlene Harmon reported the Financial Report is completed and available and copies are in the township office.

 

 

 

 

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

February 8, 2007 (Cont.)

 

Clarification of Township Convention Reimbursement: After discussion, Mike Lynch moved that the Board of Trustees accept and adopt the State of Ohio Guidelines for Travel Reimbursement effective January 1, 2007, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting:  Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-050

 

CONCERNS OF CITIZENS:

 

Lisa Shafer said one person signed up to speak at tonight’s meeting.

 

Mark Rumble of 3094 Ravenna stepped to the podium and commented on election results for the fire and school levy.  He also talked about the newsletter and ways to get more efficiency out of the newsletter. He suggested the Board put together a survey and include it in the newsletters to analyze residents’ feelings and talked about color coding the four quadrants of the township to see what residents like or dislike about the township in their particular quadrant.

 

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

 

Overtime Pay for Part Time Employees:  Mike Lynch explained Jamie had asked about the possibility of the trustees authorizing overtime pay for the part time road employees.

 

Lisa Shafer had asked Carlene Harmon to research this.  Mrs. Harmon said its in the employee handbook that overtime is paid to those who work 40 hours in a one week period regardless of part time or full time and if the Board wished to change it, the employee handbook would have to be rewritten.

 

Lisa Shafer stated she feels the part time employees are paid a very competitive wage for their service which covers the hours they may be expected to work.

 

This was tabled to the next Trustees Meting.

 

Resignation of ZBA member, Phyllis McKean and Advertise for Open Seat: Lisa Shafer said Phyllis McKean had to resign after 24-years of dedicated service because of personal reasons and asked the Board for a resolution to regretfully accept her resignation.

 

Allen Gress moved to accept the resignation of Phyllis McKean, effective immediately, seconded by Mike Lynch.  Roll call voting: Allen Gress – yes, Mike Lynch – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-051

 

Mike Lynch moved to advertise to fill the open seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals which will expire December 31, 2007 with Lisa Shafer amending to advertise immediately for 30 days, seconded by Allen Gress.  Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-052

 

Update on Township Association Meeting January 18, 2007: Lisa Shafer stated she and Keith Lasure attended the Township Association Meeting on January 18th. The guest speaker was the Stark County Engineer, and he discussed having a blanket agreement between the

 

 

 

 

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

February 8, 2007 (Cont.)

 

county and all townships where they can share equipment and employees should the need arise.  This could also include sharing contracts with less expensive costs for fuel, salt, etc.

 

Annual Meeting at Stark County Engineers: Lisa Shafer reminded everyone about the Annual Meeting at the Stark County Engineer’s Office.  The road superintendents meeting is Friday, March 2, 2007 @ 9 AM.  It was agreed Mike Lynch and Jamie May would attend.  The trustees and fiscal officer will meet on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 9 AM.

 

Executive Session:  The Board agreed to postpone the executive session until later on in the evening.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Mr. Pool – 4728 Leone – Ditch (Tabled from 1/25/07): After discussion, the Board agreed the township would not take on this project.  Lisa Shafer said she would notify Mr. Pool.

 

Driveway and Culvert Permit Fees (Tabled from 1/25/07): After discussion, the Board agreed to hold a work session with Keith Lasure and Jamie May after the regular trustees meeting on February 21, 2007, whatever time that may be.

 

CURRENT EVENTS:

 

Allen Gress shared information about what he learned at the Ohio Township Association Conference in Columbus January 31, 2007 to February 3, 2007.  He attended several classes including ‘Building Sustainable Communities’, ‘How to Deal with the Media’, one on ‘Zoning Appeals’ about regulations and community planning and ‘Handling Township Nuisances’.  Mr. Gress said it was very informative and he learned a lot.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

Lisa Shafer reported a letter was received commending EMT’s Kathy Bauer and Frank Walters.  The letter expressed gratitude for their professional and compassionate care that both of them expressed when handling a call in the death of their mother the morning of 12/30/06.  (copy attached)

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Allen Gress moved to approve the Minutes for January 25, 2007 and February 1, 2007, as written, seconded by Mike Lynch.  Roll call voting:  Allen Gress – yes, Mike Lynch – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-053

 

EXCUSE STUDENTS:

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

February 8, 2007 (Cont.)

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

Mike Lynch moved to enter into executive session at 7:59 PM for the purpose of discussing zoning hours and pending litigation with Fiscal Officer, Carlene Harmon, seconded by Allen Gress.  Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-054

 

Lisa Shafer moved to return from executive session at 8:40 PM seconded by Mike Lynch. Roll call voting: Lisa Shafer – yes, Mike Lynch – yes and Allen Gress – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-055

 

Upon return from executive session, Allen Gress moved to clarify the zoning inspector’s hours to entail less than 1500 hours per year making it a part time position with no benefits and no holiday time, seconded by Mike Lynch. Roll call voting: Allen Gress – yes, Mike Lynch – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-056

 

 

APPROVAL OF ALL PURCHASE ORDERS, FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAY BILLS:

 

Mike Lynch moved to approve all purchase orders, financial report and pay bills in the amount of $67,577.26, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED. Res#07-057

 

SIGN CHECKS AND ADJOURN:

 

Mike Lynch moved to sign checks and adjourn at 8:45 PM, seconded by Allen Gress. Roll call voting: Mike Lynch – yes, Allen Gress – yes and Lisa Shafer – yes.  MOTION CARRIED.  Res#07-058

 

 

 

_________________________________                  __________________________________

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

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                                                Michael L. Lynch, Vice President

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    Allen E. Gress, Trustee