March 7, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman John A. Eberly. All trustees were present. Frank Kitko led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular session of the Board of Trustees of February 28, 2005. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
REPORTS:
Frank Kitko, Jr., Zoning Inspector, presented the following report for February:
Permits/Applications
Month Total
Year Total
Commercial, New Building
1
1
Commercial Remodeling
1
Commercial Sub Lease
1
1
Culvert/Ditching
1
2
Residential Accessory Bldg. over 160 SF
1
1
Residential Addition
2
4
Residential Signs, temporary building construction
1
Single Family Dwelling
1
TOTALS
6
12
Mr. Kitko suggested that the trustees write a letter objecting to the proposed Fireside Estates subdivision which runs off Weathervane Drive. That is the proposed subdivision which has been presented a few times before and which we object to as there is not an outlet in Auburn. The fire department has written a letter of objection. The trustees will write a letter and reference the previous three letters they have written in past years.
Mr. Kitko also reported that there is nothing new happening at the Corners area.
Dave Wilmot, Road Superintendent, was not present but sent his report. They have used approximately 5 tons of cold patch material in the past month. Thorpe Road between Taylor May and Bartholomew and Franks between Auburn Road and Munn Road seem to be in the worst shape. Tree removal work was started on Taylor May Road. Load limit signs were put up the last week of February. The township has used more salt and cinders than in any previous winter. We have used about 1000 tons of salt and over 2000 tons of cinders. The cost is over $60,000 and could still be an additional $10,000 to $20,000 before we are done. When the road department goes out and makes one round of plowing and salting, they use approximately 18 tons of salt and 25 tons of cinders at a cost of about $1400. There are times when they go around the routes 2 or 3 times at that cost each time. Cinder pick up will be in the 2nd or 3rd week of April and will again be handled by Reilly Sweeping, Inc., if the trustees agree.
The road department needs some roof work done over the lunch room area. Dave will check out all township buildings for winter damages. The recycle area continues to take 4 to 8 hours per week to clean up from illegal dumping. Dave will talk to the disposal company about installing surveillance cameras.
Truck 16 is having front brakes and rotors installed and upper and lower ball joints also. The transmission fluid needs changed every 2 to 4 weeks. The truck is over 6 years old and has 60,000 miles.
Truck 18 needs 4 rear drive tires. Truck 19 is fine. Trucks 13 and 15 continue to have little things go wrong and always need more work done each time out. The loader backhoe is 10 years old and we just replaced the U joints on the front axel. The road grader needs a new front tire.
Dave will get a current estimate to have the Maple Shade Cemetery drives chip sealed. There are some trees there that should be taken down.
Mr. Eberly reported that the February snowplowing cost $20,000 including material, labor and equipment.
The trustees discussed the proposal from Reilly Sweeping, Inc.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to accept the proposal of Reilly Sweeping, Inc. for cinder pick up in April, 2005. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Three bids were received for the Chip Seal of Various Roads in Auburn Township and they were opened at 7:45 p.m. with the following results:
Hughes Contracting Inc. $195,642.10
Ronyak Bros. Paving, Inc. $201,310.00
G.A.R. Paving $210,900.00
The bids will be taken to the Engineer’s office for their evaluation.
Mr. Jeff Renner, President of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department, presented a report of calls for February 2005. There were 30 calls made and 13 of them were covered by daytime staffing (43%). There was a squad meeting and new prices were figured. They accepted the one from Horton which was refigured at $154,080. While that is 2.5% over budget, they did well as the budget dates to 3 years ago. Once ordered, the squad will take 180 to 210 days to make.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. Reithoffer talked to Al Padegimas. He doesn’t know if he will be returning to his house or not. His health is not good.
Eugene T. McCune, Jr. reported that the road department has been reporting any purchases they want to make. He talked to a resident about her fence and upcoming road work by the County. The trustees discussed the issue of who should move her fence and they believe that Dave may work with the county to relocate it. The contract will be checked to see if that issue is covered.
We have received notice that the township will receive $108,038.53 in inheritance tax. We will receive $20,956 from the estate of Morris Hirsch; $86,513.07 from the Robert Swadey estate; and $569.46 from the Dorothy A Dunham estate.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by John A. Eberly to transfer the $108,038.53 that will be collected in inheritance taxes to the Land Acquisition Fund. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Patrick J. Cavanagh attended the Health District Advisory Council preliminary budget meeting. He reports that the health district is taking a beating in that funds now collected by the county will be collected by the state. Mr. Cavanagh will also attend the next meeting which is held at the end of March.
The trustees received notice that the Auburn Township resident who sat on the Kenston Community Education Board has resigned. Anyone interested in representing Auburn in that capacity should contact the trustees.
John A. Eberly announced that the Adam Hall contract between the trustees and John G. Johnson Construction Company is signed, a Notice of Commencement is being issued, and a meeting between Gordy Petersen, the architect Tim Olland, and John G. Johnson Construction will be arranged. Parking arrangements for construction equipment need to be outlined to prevent any damage to the work already done in the parking lots.
The trustees set Saturday, April 30, 2005 as Auburn’s Roadside Clean-Up Day and set Saturday, June 4, 2005 as Large Item Drop-Off Day.
Denis D. Squire, Clerk, left warrants for signatures.
The trustees discussed a request for a streetlight for Ascot Lane and Ravenna Road.
Motion by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by John Eberly to have a streetlight installed at the area of Ascot Lane and Ravenna Road. VOTE: McCune, no; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees discussed grounds maintenance for 2005. They have been very happy with PerfecTurf’s service. PerfecTurf agreed to honor the same price as last year which is as follows:
Auburn Fire Station $2000
Maple Shade Cemetery/Admin Bldg. $3750
Shadyside Cemetery $3750
Historical Bldg. (Museum) $ 500
Auburn Town Hall $ 500
Adam Hall & adjacent house $4800
$15,300 made in two payments of $6885 (10% pre payment discount) with payments due on April 1, 2005 and July 1, 2005.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to contract with PerfecTurf for the upcoming season at the same price and terms as last year. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees discussed maps and a letter received from the Planning Commission regarding a Lorien Woods easement. The original plans for Lorien Woods had easements for future roads. The roads are not being put in. The trustees have no objection to the vacation of the future roads and will send a letter to David Dietrich stating so.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sam Sotera mentioned the ongoing water problem he has at his home and he will most likely go to court to attempt to fix the problem.
Jack Trethewey noted that the tree removal company on Taylor May is blowing the chips in the ditches. Dave will be asked to check this out and have the company clean out any ditches before a problem occurs.
Next week there will be a public hearing at 7:00 pm on the ZC2004-06 proposed amendment.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to adjourn the meeting. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned.