October 3, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman John A. Eberly. All trustees were present. Karen McCune led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Gene McCune, Jr. seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular session of the Board of Trustees of September 6, 2005. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Motion by Gene McCune, Jr. seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular session of the Board of Trustees of September 19, 2005. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, abstain. The motion passed.
GUEST SPEAKER:
Present was Keith McClintock, Deputy Director of the Geauga Park District, who is in the process of visiting all the Townships. He passed out a brochure detailing trails and programs in the park district; a brochure introducing a new park district web site where one can request park reservations on-line; and a “Support Your Geauga Park District on November 8th” brochure which states that the levy will not increase taxes. The issue on the ballot will be a 0.7 mill/20 year levy that is a renewal.
Mr. McClintock discussed the Frohring Meadows Park in Bainbridge being designed to have a 2.6 mile trail and a 100+ acre prairie. In Montville, an observatory and barn for programs and sheltering is being designed. The park district will restock Beartown Lakes with trout as they did several years ago. It was a very well received program.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mr. Carl Schneider stated that the park district is a very valuable asset now and will only be more so down the years. He asked what percentage of the Park’s income is spent on vandalism. Mr. McClintock said there is surprisingly little vandalism overall.
Mr. Troyan asked about leash laws in the parks and was told that an 8’ leash is required. The park district is checking into dog working areas. He said that their number one complaint is about dogs not on leashes.
Mr. Eberly noted that the Geauga Park District will have a table at the Open House at Adam Hall on October 9th.
REPORTS:
Frank Kitko, Jr., Zoning Inspector, presented the following report for September:
Permits/Applications
Month Total
Year Total
Agriculture/Other Exemptions
7
Commercial, New Building
1
Commercial Remodeling
1
2
Commercial Sign
1
3
Commercial Sub Lease
1
4
Culvert/Ditching
8
Denial
4
Industrial Fence
1
Industrial New Structure
1
2
Industrial Signs
1
2
Land Development Activity
1
Residential Accessory Bldg. under 160 SF
6
Residential Accessory Bldg. over 160 SF
5
25
Residential Addition
4
19
Residential Deck
6
Residential Fence
1
6
Residential Patio
1
Residential Remodel
1
1
Residential Sign
3
Residential Signs, temporary building construction
1
40
Single Family Dwelling
9
49
Swimming Pool Above Ground
4
Swimming Pool In Ground
2
Variance/Conditional Use
7
TOTALS
26
204
Mr. Kitko reported that the Planning Commission received a request for a variance for a shared driveway for the LaDue Trails Subdivision and the Planning Commission has requested that Mr. Kitko and at least one trustee be present at the meeting in order to present our views. It was discussed and agreed that all the trustees, the zoning inspector and the fire department are all against a variance being granted.
Mr. Kitko said there is no action at the Corners to report.
Dave Wilmot, Road Superintendent, presented the following report:
Roads: They are continuing crack seal and have recently done Lucky Bell Lane, Whisper Wood Circle and Shadow Wood Circle. Roadside mowing continues as well as cleaning ditches. Mr. Eberly commented that the mowing done this year is the best he has seen. The new used tractor is working out well.
There was a road inspection for Edinboro Lane off SR 44. The road department will be plowing it this winter. Other newly paved roads opening soon are Moreland Lane, Jensen Court and Cooper Court off Stafford Road as well as Gottschalk Industrial Parkway off Munn Road. Sanctuary Drive and Golden Pond Drive off Crackle Road and Frostwood Drive off SR 44 will also need snowplowing this winter. In addition, new roads will be going in off SR 44 called LaDue Trail, Starbush and Sedge Trail although they may not require plowing this winter and also a street is going in off Messenger. Phase 2 of Sunrise Ridge is being built on off Sterling Glen Lane. Dave is working on new snowplow routes for this winter with all this activity. These new roads will require a lot of extra time, material and much added fuel costs. The need for an additional road man and an additional truck is getting much closer. Howard Benjamin has been updating the township maps with the new roads.
Equipment: There have been only minor equipment problems and everything is up and currently operating safely. The snow plow equipment is ready and cinders will be ordered soon.
Cemeteries: No funerals in the last month. All headstone footers are completed. There are a lot of footer repairs and straightening of headstones to be done and a lot of bushes and trees to be trimmed.
Please remember to vote for the Road Levy on the ballot on November 8th.
Mr. Eberly thanked the road department for their help in seeding around Adam Hall.
Dan McClelland of the Geauga County Sheriff’s office forwarded a report to the trustees of calls addressed by their office in Auburn Township for September, 2005.
Eugene T. McCune, Jr. also extended thanks to the road department for their help at Adam Hall and he commented on the fine job done by Szoka Excavating with the swale work. Mr. McCune said that we will need a cement pad for a dumpster at Adam Hall eventually. The trustees think the SE corner would be the best location.
Mr. McCune extended condolences to the Valentine Matula family on the death of Mr. Matula who was 82 at the time of his death. They are a long time Auburn family.
Mr. McCune has invited the Geauga Park District and Sally Bell, Director, of the Geauga County Department on Aging to have tables set up during our Adam Hall Open House to showcase their services.
Patrick J. Cavanagh reported on an elderly resident who came into the office asking for assistance with tree limbs down from the last wind storm. Since the road department should not go onto private property to assist, Mr. Cavanagh suggested we get a list of volunteers, like the Boy Scouts, to help with work like that.
John A. Eberly reported that 10 eight foot tables and 96 folding chairs were purchased for Adam Hall. Four ABC fire extinguishers were installed as well. We do need a refrigerator/freezer yet.
The Open House plans are being set. There will be cider, coffee and donuts for 200 to 250 people. We will set up the projector to run showing pictures of the building process of Adam Hall.
Don Simpson did fence repair by replacing many old fence rails at Adam Hall and down past the cemetery, too. He could install a flag pole for around $600. That would be his cost. The trustees will hold off on that expense for now.
Mr. Eberly received a call from the Girl Scout leader saying they want to plant a tree at Adam Hall and the trustees have given their approval and appreciation of that.
Susan Plavcan, Clerk, presented warrants and purchase orders for signatures and presented the trustees with current financial reports.
There was a Liquor License transfer to review. The trustees had no objections to the transfer and the clerk will sign and return the paperwork.
The North American Salt Company contract for the period ending Friday, March 31, 2006 was presented to the trustees. The price for road salt is the same as we paid last year, $42.59 per ton delivered.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to enter into an agreement with North American Salt Company to purchase road salt at $42.59/ton for this winter’s use. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees signed the contract.
The clerk received a copy of the Proposed Tax Levy for Roads for Auburn Township from the Board of Elections. Mr. Eberly read the wording and the copy is approved for the ballot. This replacement 1-mill for 5 years road levy is very important to the township. The township is taking on new roads at a fast pace and that means additional road plowing, mowing and road surface maintenance.
At the September 8, 2005 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, they voted to accept Alex Way and Stella Lane in the Fox Crossing subdivision for total maintenance by Auburn Township.
The trustees discussed invoices from Tenant Construction for Adam Hall work that was done through the Community and Economic Improvement Department grant. Mr. Eberly signed off on one of the invoices but the trustees noted that Handicapped signs are not yet installed in the parking lot and Tenant Construction broke a drainage pipe on the sewer line and that cost us $325 to replace. The swale work that Szoka Excavating did should also be deducted from the Tenant invoice because Szoka was repairing swale work previously done that was ruined when Tenant dumped soil.
Mr. Eberly reported on a Resolution to Improve Auburn Road received from the Board of County Commissioners. Work will be done on Auburn Road between Washington Street and Franks Road.
The contract between Auburn Township and the Chagrin River Land Conservancy regarding the Cathan farm had been sent to Eric Drake, Auburn’s assistant prosecuting attorney for his sign off. When Mr. McCune checked up on that, he found that Mr. Drake had been deployed to Louisiana in the wake of the storm damage there. He is back now and we anticipate signing the agreement at the next Board of Trustee meeting.
A public hearing date of October 17, 2005 at 7:15 p.m. was set to discuss the proposed zoning amendment ZC2005-02 regarding fire ponds. The amendment is the addition of one sentence: The fire protection pond shall be constructed within the initial phase of said subdivision.
Trick-or-Treat night was set for 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, October 31, 2005 so……everyone B E W A R E….
ADAM HALL RENTAL:
It was determined that for a celebration utilizing a bartender, security from the Geauga County Sheriff’s department is mandatory. That security will be paid for by the renter but secured by the township.
It was determined that only professional bartenders and caterers can be used.
It was determined that we have to be stringent on the use of our cleaning service following an event. Our cost is $150 and that will be passed along to the renter.
We will have to pay someone to be present during each event, to open the building and to close and lock up afterwards.
In compiling costs, the first expense is cleaning @ $150 each time; the next is the building attendant, then rubbish removal/dumpster. The expense of heat, electricity, air conditioning, insurance, sewer line use and snowplowing and grounds maintenance are all present and must be passed along in some measure so that the hall is not a drain to township finances.
It was determined that there will be an “Auburn Township Resident” discount.
The building capacity is 200 people.
Some items needed are “No Smoking” signs, outdoor ashtrays, rug/mat for vestibule, chair racks, coat racks.
The discussion of the cost to rent Adam Hall will continue and hopefully resolve at the next Board of Trustees meeting. The list of people wanting to use the building is growing.
Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to adjourn the meeting. VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned.