June 6, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman John A. Eberly. All trustees were present. Mr. Jeff Renner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Eugene T. McCune, Jr. seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular session of the Board of Trustees of May 16, 2005. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees enjoyed being presented with Mrs. Wilma Brown’s excused absence from her doctor!
REPORTS:
Frank Kitko, Jr., Zoning Inspector, presented the following report for May:
Permits/Applications
Month Total
Year Total
Agriculture/Other Exemptions
5
Commercial, New Building
1
Commercial Remodeling
1
Commercial Sub Lease
3
Culvert/Ditching
1
7
Denial
1
1
Industrial Fence
1
Industrial Signs
1
Land Development Activity
1
1
Residential Accessory Bldg. under 160 SF
3
Residential Accessory Bldg. over 160 SF
4
9
Residential Addition
12
Residential Deck
1
2
Residential Fence
1
2
Residential Sign
1
Residential Signs, temporary building construction
13
22
Single Family Dwelling
5
24
Swimming Pool Above Ground
2
3
Variance/Conditional Use
1
2
TOTALS
30
101
Mr. Kitko has pulled some unpermitted signs, reports no action at the Corners, a model home with no permit, and a letter sent regarding a farm stand with no permit.
Dave Wilmot, Road Superintendent, presented the following report:
The department is clearing brush and trees from the roadsides, some a result of the last snowstorm. Joy Burkholder has started to work for the summer. It is good to have her back. The Taylor May resurfacing should begin within the next two weeks. The department is using a lot of cold patch and asphalt on road repairs. They have about 20 miles of roads to get ready for chip seal. They have used 400 tons of asphalt during May and will use another 50 to 100 tons in the next week to complete patching. Ronyak Bros. Paving Co. will begin chip seal work around June 15th. Edward Lane will be resurfaced starting with full depth repair on June 10th and asphalt on June 13th. A pre-conference meeting for Quinn Road work will be held June 7th.
The joint senior Large Item Pick Up days with the Department on Aging were a success. They picked up from over 50 resident seniors. Dave sends his thanks to Bob and his crew from the Department of Aging for their help. This will be the last time for the service unless their levy passes in the fall. Auburn’s Large Item Day also went well. Mowing the roadsides will begin in the next week.
There have been four funerals during May. All footers have been installed to date. PerfecTurf missed mowing the Museum so the road department had to do it. Also, Dennis Lupca complained about a couple of the employees from PerfecTurf being rude to him.
Quinn Road culverts were discussed and Taylor May drive culverts. Speed limit signs will be posted on Ascot Lane and another No Parking sign will go up in Lorian Woods. Mr. Jeff Renner, President of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department, presented a report of 40 calls for May. 32% were covered by station staffing. The squad is due on schedule – end of September beginning of October. The station is getting a used reverse osmosis unit from Kinetico. The water was found to be very corrosive and is ruining the truck paint. They are interviewing and meeting with some consultants about future planning. This is preliminary work. The Explorer Challenge held at the station went very well. Five departments attended, three from Ohio and two from Pennsylvania. Auburn won by 1 second. Very exciting event. Mark Lewis will be attending the Fireside Estate meeting at the Planning Commission on June 14.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. Trethewey asked if the Township would be interested in buying the old Auburn School if it were for sale. The trustees answered that they would be.
Eugene T. McCune, Jr. thanked all the participants and residents who attended the Memorial Day Ceremony. The bagpiper, Mike Schweitzer, does not accept a fee for his participation but said a small donation to the Cemetery would be appreciated. The trustees will pay for the flowers that are planted at the cemeteries by the Garden Club in Mr. Schweitzer’s name.
Patrick J. Cavanagh also extended thanks to all who helped out including Loretta Seashols, the cemetery sexton, who cleans up and opens the Museum, the Garden Club and all attendees. Jackie Gall Folsom, former cemetery sexton, noted that some work is needed at Shadyside, east of the crypt.
John A. Eberly discussed the progress at Adam Hall. We are down to two or three weeks of work left. Site work is progressing on the lot. After work was begun, it was noted that entry to the facility was right into the main room. The trustees had footers added early on and have gotten an estimate to add on a vestibule – a glass wall, drywall and 4 sets of doors. The goal is to add a wind block to the main room. There was discussion about this.
Motion by John Eberly seconded by Eugene T. McCune, Jr. to contract with John G. Johnson Construction Co. to build the vestibule at a price not to exceed $20,000. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Motion by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by John Eberly to encumber $20,000 from the Land Acquisition Fund for the addition of a vestibule to Adam Hall. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Mr. Eberly reported that the pine trees behind the site have been removed and the stumps ground. A great effort is being made to complete the work on time. Flooring will be installed soon. Mr. Eberly has talked with Tenant Construction Services and with Mike Weber from Johnston Construction and said they have been a real pleasure to work with.
Mr. Eberly reminded the trustees that they all have to attend the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, June 14 about the Fireside Estates project pending variance request.
Susan Plavcan, Clerk, presented warrants, purchase orders and payroll for signatures.
The trustees reviewed maps from the Planning Commission for the following projects: Sterling Glen Phase II with 13 lots; Maple Valley Phase I with 2 lots; Maple Valley Phase II with 5 lots; Lexington East with 3 lots; Moreland Phase I with 16 lots; Fireside Estates with 4 lots.
The trustees discussed the expiring road levy and the pros and cons of replacement versus renewal. They noted that we have about 15 subdivisions coming up on their 15th year and there is no way they can be fixed on our current budget. The risk of losing the expected $94,000 to be brought in with a renewal by going for a replacement that will bring in over $206,000 was talked over. The township has never asked for a replacement before.
Motion by Eugene T. McCune, Jr. seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to request a Certificate of Need from the Geauga County Auditor’s office for a replacement road levy. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees discussed the Auburn Fence bill for moving fences on Taylor May Road.
Motion by Eugene T. McCune, Jr. seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to pay Auburn Fence Corp. $2334.20 for moving fences in the right of way on Taylor May Road in preparation of repaving the road. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Mr. Eberly noted that Mia Moore of the Illuminating Co. did a great job of having two utility poles removed quickly from the Adam Hall location.
The trustees discussed a safety deposit key found in Denis Squire’s desk drawer.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to sign a Huntington Bank Authorization Form to allow the present clerk and/or trustees to open the safety deposit box. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
CATHAN PROPERTY:
The trustees along with Mark Skowronski, Director of Chagrin River Land Conservancy’s (CRLC) Land Protection Program, presented a PowerPoint presentation announcing the preservation of 67 acres of farmland from development. Jim and Ruth Cathan will retain their home and 3 acres of property and sell 67 acres (bordered by E. Washington Street and Munn Road) to CRLC who will later sell the land to Auburn Township. With the development explosion occurring in Auburn making us the fastest growing township in the county, this announcement is exciting as it provides a green space and community gathering place for all residents to enjoy in the future. The trustees envision both active and passive use with playing fields on the open field area and hiking trails on the forested portion. The treed area is described as mature second growth forest and includes a stream. The trustees expressed extreme appreciation and thanks to the Cathan family for their cooperation and to the CRLC for their professional advice and services in making this possible.
The trustees said that we will not take possession right now. The next step is to secure funding through grants but the acquisition is valid. They noted that in a survey taken some years back, the number one request by the residents was for active parkland. The trustees will put 30% of this acquisition to an active recreation area.
The trustees said that they have been trying since 1994 to obtain a property like this – LaDue, the Siman property and others all fell through. The one we ended up with is the best so good things do happen. This has been worth waiting for. Young people are moving into Auburn with children. We have a new school being built and this will fit right in. Auburn is expected to grow to a population of 14,000 and this green space will be a special retreat, and centrally located in the township.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Jack Trethewey asked how this area would be policed.
The trustees said that we would need more help from the sheriff’s office. The sheriff has been receptive. Also, there would not be dirt bikes, snowmobiles, etc. allowed.
The trustees discussed a lawsuit that involves American Diversified (doing the Issue II paving of Taylor May Road in Auburn) and Schloss Paving Co. We are named as a defendant in the complaint. It has been forwarded on to the Prosecutor’s office in Chardon.
John Tremsyn left the Prosecutor’s office and a new man is hired to replace him. Eric Drake will start next week. He is a former serviceman and served a tour of duty in Iraq.
Since the trustees will be meeting on June 14th to attend the variance request regarding Fireside Estates, the meeting was not adjourned.
Motion by Patrick J. Cavanagh seconded by Eugene T. McCune, Jr. to recess the meeting. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed. The meeting was recessed.