MINUTES

Nimishillen Township Board of Trustees

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
On Thursday, September 23, 2010 the Board of Trustees of Nimishillen Township met in regular session at 7:00 PM at the Nimishillen Township Hall located at 4422 Maplegrove NE with the following members present:  Trustee President Michael L. Lynch, Trustee Vice President Lisa R. Shafer, Trustee Allen E. Gress and Fiscal Officer Barry L. Evans.

 

Trustee Shafer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the staff and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

NOTE:  All reports are available at the township office located at 4915 N. Nickelplate.  Copies are 10¢ per page.

 

EXCUSE ZONING INSPECTOR, KEITH LASURE: Trustee Shafer excused Mr. Lasure from tonight’s meeting.  He was speaking at the Louisville Public Library on Small Wind Energy Systems.

 

FIRE: (Richard Peterson, Fire Chief)

 

5K run and festival: The Chief reported the festival and events at Molly Stark went well.  Good weather and good attendance.

 

Alarm receiver quote:  Chief Peterson reported the lowest price was from Sur Gard for $3,292.00.  After discussion, TRUSTEE SHAFER MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,292.00 TO PURCHASE THE DSC RECEIVER FROM SUR GARD SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GRESS.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-199

            Roll call voting: Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Gress – YES – Mr. Lynch - YES

 

ROAD: (Jack Magee, Hwy. Superintendent)

 

Jack commended Assistant Superintendent, Brad Bair, for doing a great job while he was off and said everything went fine.

 

Resolution – Approve Road Report:  TRUSTEE SHAFER MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 ROAD REPORT SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GRESS.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-200

            Roll call voting: Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Gress – YES, Mr. Lynch - YES

 

ZONING: (Keith Lasure, Zoning Inspector)

 

Resolution – Approve August 2010 Zoning Report for Stark Co. Auditor: TRUSTEE SHAFER MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 2010 ZONING REPORT FOR THE STARK COUNTY AUDITOR SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GRESS.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-201

            Roll call voting: Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Gress – YES, Mr. Lynch - YES

 

Resolution – Approve Zoning Report: TRUSTEE SHAFER MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE ZONING REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GRESS.  MOTION CARRIED. RES#10-202

Roll call voting: Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Gress – YES, Mr. Lynch - YES

 

FISCAL OFFICER: (Barry Evans)

 

Bureau Workers’ Comp:  Mr. Evans reported Workers’ Comp is asking us to come back with an estimated savings of $14,000.00. After discussion, TRUSTEE GRESS MOTIONED TO ENROLL NIM. TWP. IN THE BWC GROUP RETRO RATING PROGRAM FOR A ONE-YEAR

2010 September 23 Trustees’ Minutes (Cont.)

 

PERIOD BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2011 SECONDED BY TRUSTEE SHAFER.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-203

            Roll call voting: Mr. Gress- YES, Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Lynch - YES

 

CITIZENS: No one signed up to speak at tonight’s meeting.

 

TRUSTEES: (Mike Lynch, Lisa Shafer, Allen Gress)

 

NATaT update: Trustee Shafer attended NATaT (National Association of Towns and Townships) in Washington, DC and said it was definitely well worth her while.  She and Steve Fetterman were the only representatives from Stark County.  OHIO was the largest group in attendance.  She reported she met with Congressman John Boccieri and several different representatives and reported on the following:

o       Volunteer Responder Protection Incentive Act – This passed in 2007. It amended the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude property tax benefits up to $360/yr. & other benefits provided to volunteer firefighters.  Mrs. Shafer submitted this to Tillie Kinsley to research. They asked John Boccieri to cosponsor this legislation and reauthorize.

o       Consumer Bill of Rights - H.R.3655 would expand the Federal Trade Commission’s jurisdiction over cemeteries to include those run by state & local governments (FTC’s jurisdiction is typically limited to for-profit businesses). Mrs. Shafer said our position is that we definitely oppose this. This could bankrupt a lot of cemeteries. NATaT urges Congress to exclude state & local governments from this bill.

o       1099 Tax Provision Included in Health Care Reform – This Bill states that any town, city, association, etc. would be required to file a 1099 if any purchase over $600/year is made.  This would generate a huge amount of paperwork and would be a burden on any township or city due to limited staff. NATaT supports effort to repeal Section 9006.

o       Transportation Reauthorization – Jack has been telling us about the sign reflectivity which is a Federal Government mandate. They allocate about $90,000,000 towards transportation. As representatives of NATaT, we asked John Boccieri to request $2 billion for the rural road program and asked for $500 million for the sign reflectivity program and to make that money available to the local governments and not the state because the state would take all their money and do their signs. If money is not made available, NATaT representatives asked them to extend the deadline. Vehicle Miles Traveled – Hot Topic – they are still trying to figure out how to pay for rail systems, road repairs, etc. Vehicle miles traveled pricing – they want to use this to pay for signs by placing a GPS unit in vehicles and GPS chip at gas stations.  If passed, NATaT representatives said that 1/5 of the population lives in rural areas (they can’t ride a bike to work, hop on a motorcycle or get a high speed rail system).

o       Educational Sessions Mrs. Shafer attended the volunteer firefighter class and the Federal Transportation (above.)  Met with Eric Bernard, Executive Director of Montgomery Co. Fire Department. FEMA people were also in attendance. Mrs. Shafer said they have some very unique things at their fire department such as redoing ambulances; one in particular painted pink for breast cancer awareness plus many other things.

 

Information on the above can be obtained from the township office by calling 330-875-9924.

 

SERB Academy 2010: Trustee Lynch reported he would like to attend the SERB Academy on Thursday and Friday, October 21-22, 2010 in Columbus, OH.  TRUSTEE SHAFER MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE TRUSTEE LYNCH TO ATTEND THE SERB ACADEMY FOR 2010 SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GRESS.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-204

            Roll call voting: Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Gress – YES, Mr. Lynch - YES

 

2010 Trick-or-Treat: Trustee Shafer reported trick-or treat would be held Sunday, October 31st which coincides with the recommendation from the Stark County Board of Commissioners.  TRUSTEE SHAFER MOTIONED TO HOLD TRICK-OR-TREAT IN NIMISHILLEN TOWNSHIP ON SUNDAY OCT. 31ST FROM 3 - 5 PM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE STARK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GRESS.  MOTION CARRIED. RES#10-205

            Roll call voting: Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Gress – YES, Mr. Lynch – YES

2010 September 23 Trustees’ Minutes (Cont.)

 

Muskingum Watershed Grant: Trustee Gress explained the Commissioners are preparing an application to the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District to obtain funding to do a study of the East and Middle Branches of the Nimishillen Creek.  This is a $2,000,000 project.  They have $1,000,000 and are trying to apply for another grant to match it 50%. Trustee Gress reported he talked to Joe Underwood, Subdivision Engineer at RPC, about the request to endorse the Muskingum Watershed Grant.  After discussion, TRUSTEE GRESS MOTIONED TO ENDORSE THE MUSKINGUM WATERSHED GRANT APPLICATION SECONDED BY TRUSTEE SHAFER.    MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-206

            Roll call voting: Mr. Gress – YES, Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Lynch – YES

 

RESOLUTION: Trustee Gress said he had another item that is not on the agenda and feels it would avoid a lot of turmoil.  TRUSTEE GRESS MOTIONED THAT NIM. TWP. FIREFIGHTER THOMAS TODD BE TAKEN OFF THE SUSPENSION STATUS AND BE RETURNED TO ACTIVE DUTY ON A 6-MONTH PROBATION STATUS WHICH WILL CONSTITUTE STEP 3 IN THE NIM. TWP. EMPLOYEE CODE AND THAT HE IS GIVEN A WRITTEN REPRIMAND TO BE PLACED IN HIS EMPLOYMENT FILE AND BE RETURNED TO THE WORK SCHEDULE SIMILAR TO HIS SCHEDULE IN 2008.  MOTION DIED due to the lack of a second to Mr. Gress’ motion.

 

RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 MINUTES:

 

TRUSTEE GRESS MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 MINUTES AS WRITTEN SECONDED BY TRUSTEE SHAFER.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-207

            Roll call voting: Mr. Gress – YES, Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Lynch - YES

 

APPROVE ALL PURCHASE ORDERS, FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAY BILLS:

 

TRUSTEE GRESS MOTIONED TO APPROVE ALL PURCHASE ORDERS, FINANCIAL REPORT AND PAY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,976.65 SECONDED BY TRUSTEE SHAFER.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-208

            Roll call voting: Mr. Gress – YES, Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Lynch – YES

 

SIGN CHECKS AND ADJOURN:

 

TRUSTEE SHAFER MOTIONED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR PORTION OF TONIGHT’S TRUSTEES’ MEETING AT 7:30 PM AND SIGN CHECKS AND THE DISCIPLINARY HEARING FOR FIREFIGHTER THOMAS TODD WILL BE HELD AT 8:30 PM SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GRESS.  MOTION CARRIED.  RES#10-209

          Roll call voting: Mrs. Shafer – YES, Mr. Gress – YES, Mr. Lynch - YES

 

 

________________________                ________________________________

ATTEST: Barry L. Evans                        Michael L. Lynch, Trustee President

               Fiscal Officer

 

 

                                                            ________________________________

                                                            Lisa R. Shafer, Trustee Vice President

 

 

                                                           ________________________________

                                                            Allen E. Gress, Trustee