January 23, 2006   

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman John A. Eberly. All Trustees were present.  Mr. Sam Sotera led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

            Motion by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by Mike Troyan to approve the minutes of the public hearing of the Board of Trustees of January 16, 2006.  VOTE:  Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes.  The motion passed.

 

            Motion Mike Troyan by seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of January 16, 2006.  VOTE:  Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes.  The motion passed.

 

REPORTS:

            Michael S. Troyan reported on his conversation and action regarding the Arctic Freeze fence issue with a neighbor. He reported that our zoning department and the Prosecutor’s office have work in process regarding the matter. Mr. Troyan did have conversation with the neighbor to let him know what is happening.

            Mr. Troyan attended an Auburn Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees meeting. They will be holding an election for position of Fire Chief on February 2^nd. There are two candidates running. When fire trucks and squads need repair, the work must be done by a certified technician. The fire department currently uses a company out of Canton. They are looking into a company in Montville as an option. They are also reviewing run reports to determine if additional staffing is required and if so, how to budget that.

            Pancake Breakfasts are scheduled for February 26 and March 5. Based on comments from last year, buckwheat pancakes may or may not be offered.

 

            Patrick J. Cavanagh had conversation with Don Welker, a Chardon Township trustee, about the formation of an internal audit committee. Mr. Welker will email their resolution and findings to Susan Plavcan.

            Mr. Cavanagh discussed the Kenston Community Education Board Meeting he attended. Auburn Township is without a representative on the Board right now. The trustees discussed KCE in general. They suggest inviting Scott Baron to attend a meeting in the near future.

            Mr. Cavanagh reported that Chagrin River Watershed Partners has a Board of Trustees meeting on February 16 at Russell Town Hall. The trustees discussed the Phase II Storm Water Management Plan and our exemption from it. They noted that we and the rest of the County will no longer be exempt by the next census. Mr. Cavanagh said if no one from the Township attends the Board meeting we should call to get a copy of the results for our files.

            Tracy Engle sits on the Planning Commission so Auburn is well represented.  He is also on the Soil & Water Conservation District Board. The trustees discussed what an asset to the community he has been.

            Mr. Cavanagh reported that oil & gas well management is going the way of sand & gravel management; that is, local control has gone to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. That is not good news on the local level.

            Mr. Eberly discussed the keynote speaker at the Ohio Township Association from several years ago who spoke on the topic of the most efficient vehicle to deliver services to a population. The best method is local government. Township government is more responsive than say, State government to a local population.

           

            John A. Eberly said that a refrigerator will be bought this week for Adam Hall. There is another event scheduled there.  Mr. Eberly discussed putting some asphalt down at Adam hall and also extending the lot at the Administration Building with some asphalt; paving eastward to the cemetery driveway would be a good addition.  The trustees discussed putting up coat racks at Adam Hall, a key box for the mechanical room to contain all the keys, labeled to all gates, fences, etc. Mr. Eberly spoke to Bud Weber about a walk through with the various subcontractors at Adam Hall. We need to know how to dim the lights, control the heating and air conditioning, maintain the water filtering system, etc.

            Mr. Eberly spoke to Gordon Petersen who has quoted the installation of a control panel for the outside lights at around $2,000. 

            There is a problem with a window at Adam Hall and Mr. Cavanagh can get it fixed if we look at the plans and determine whose windows were installed.

            The trustees discussed putting several benches in the gazebos.  They also discussed having a sign installed with the name and address of Adam Hall in front of the building and perhaps a light shining on the sign.  Mr. Troyan suggested putting the phone number on the sign as well.  Mr. Eberly noted that Wheeler Landscaping had suggestions about a sign and he will contact them. 

            The trustees will have Szoka Excavating haul out the pile of dirt at the rear of the lot and pull out several trees that have fallen over leaving roots exposed.

 

            Susan Plavcan, Fiscal Officer, presented warrants, blanket certificates and purchase orders for signatures. 

            Mrs. Plavcan will begin to set up interviews for the secretarial position from the resumes received and reviewed by the trustees. The interviews will take place on Monday nights.

            A tire grant application was received from Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste Management District. Dave Wilmot talked to Westover Tire about the grant and they will recycle the tires for us but will not take truck or tractor tires, will not take any rims or wheels and the tires cannot have water in them. 

 

            There is a Scrap Tire Collection day on Saturday, September 30^th from 9 a.m. to noon sponsored by Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District at the Geauga County Engineer’s Yard at 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon.  There is a limit of 8 tires per vehicle. Tires may be on or off the rim. Passenger tires and light truck tires are free of charge. Semi-truck and large off road tires are $5 per tire and tractor tires are $20 per tire.

 

            The trustees and fiscal officer will attend a meeting at the office of Representative LaTourette in Painesville on Wednesday, January 25 to meet with postal officials and to discuss the ZIP code situation in Auburn.

 

            The trustees discussed the proposed amendment to the Zoning Resolution known as ZC2005-03 Minimum Lot Width. They suggest a modification of it which is adding an Appendix F as part of the amendment.

 

            Motion by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by Mike Troyan to approve with modification the zoning amendment ZC2005-03, known as Minimum Lot Width.  VOTE:  Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes.  The vote was unanimous. The motion passed.

           

            The trustees discussed a Land Development in Ohio seminar to be held February 21. Mr. Mark Hardenbergh requested permission to attend and be reimbursed. He will present a report on the topic to the zoning commission.

 

            Motion by John Eberly seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to authorize Mark Hardenbergh to attend the conference and to report back to the zoning commission on what he learned. VOTE:  Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes.  The motion passed.

 

            Mrs. Brockway suggested that the trustees put an article in the paper about landscaping plans at Adam Hall. She said people may want to be able to donate a tree. The trustees said that will be a good idea. Mr. Eberly will check with Wheeler Landscaping about the plans.

 

            Motion by John Eberly seconded by Mike Troyan to adjourn the meeting. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned.