March 6, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman John A. Eberly. All Trustees were present. Willis Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Michael S. Troyan seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of February 27, 2006. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
GUESTS:
Mr. Eberly noted that there were several guests in the audience: Miss Lauren Kopas was present. She is a Junior at Kenston High School and attended the meeting as a member of a PAC. Present, too, was Ali Arko, also a KHS Junior who attended the meeting as a requirement of her government class.
REPORTS:
Frank Kitko, Zoning Inspector, presented the following report for February, 2006:
Month
Total
Commercial New
2
2
Commercial Sign
1
1
Land Development Activity
1
1
Residential Accessory Building over 160 sq. ft.
2
2
Residential Remodel
0
1
Residential Signs Temporary Building Construction
5
10
Residential Signs Subdivisions
2
2
Single Family Dwelling
6
13
19
32
Mr. Kitko reported some wetland issues on Stafford Road and across from Auburn Lakes. He reviewed the areas with Amy Holtshouse of Chagrin River Watershed Partners. At issue is some fill on the property near or in wetlands. The placement of fill in wetlands or in streams requires a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr. Kitko reported that the ODNR has been asked to notify the township of pre- construction meetings for any wells to be drilled in the township. Jane attended a pre-construction meeting for the well to be drilled on the Timmons farm. Frank stressed that there are many ways that residents could benefit from letting the township be involved in decisions before a contract is signed between the oil drilling company and the property owner. Issues concerning erosion control, ingress and egress, stripping of topsoil, brine pit issues, underground wiring, etc. can be written into a contract. The trustees suggested that Frank write up some guidelines and we will have the information added to our website at (www.auburntownship.com).
Dave Wilmot, Road Superintendent, presented the following report:
Roads: About 700 tons of road salt has been used so far and 1200 tons of snow grits. The road department has been cold patching the roads where needed as well as brush trimming and ditching on Shaw Road and Valley Road.
Equipment: Thanks to good maintenance, the equipment is in good working order. Dave is getting a price on a truck bed for truck 15. Dave is calling around looking for a used loader.
Cemetery: No funerals in the last month. Dave is getting estimates for the chip seal of the drives in Maple Shade Cemetery.
Dave reported that he is going to try using just salt in the developments to eliminate cinder buildup. There are about 47 developments in Auburn Township. The department is redoing routes and adjusting the salt spreaders to accommodate just salt.
The road department took down 5 trees today and presented estimates for additional tree work by several vendors. The trustees reviewed the quotes and discussed them.
Motion by Patrick J. Cavanagh seconded by Michael Troyan to accept the quote from VanCuren Services, Inc. in the amount of $8,350 for multiple tree removals and trimming and grinding work at Thorpe Road and Taylor May Road and at East Washington and Valley Road. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed. (Copy attached to minutes)
Motion by John Eberly seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to encumber $8,350 from the Road Fund to pay for the VanCuren Services, Inc. quote for tree removal work in the township. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees discussed replacing the bed on truck 15 and will discuss it further next week.
Roadside Clean Up Day will be Saturday morning, April 29, 2006. We will draft a letter to the Auburn Boy Scout Troop 101 to ask for their help and also contract Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste Management District to see if they will furnish gloves, trash bags, a banner, etc. Dave has contacted Penn Ohio and the trustees said we should contract with them for our Large Item Drop Off day as well as Roadside Clean Up Day. They offer a much better deal to us this year than our usual vendor. We should consider them also when we have a dumpster put in at Adam Hall.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. John Reithoffer noted that the road at The Point (Washington Street and Bainbridge Road) has been repaired by the County. He also noted that American flags are missing from Shadyside Cemetery and the Museum. Dave will check on missing flags.
Mr. Trethewey reported that he picked up four dozen small cemetery flags as well as markers for veteran graves in readiness for Memorial Day.
Michael S. Troyan reported that he called and thanked Mr. Bob Phillips of the Geauga County Engineer Department for his timely work in repairing the road at The Point.
Mr. Troyan said that there are two townships in the county who do their own emergency services billing rather than using an outside company. He said there are software programs available that enable self billing. There is considerable set up involved but it is possible. The fire department has not decided if they want to initiate a billing program yet. It is still under consideration.
Mr. Troyan mentioned and the trustees discussed the phone line installation for Adam Hall as discussed last week.
Motion by Michael Troyan seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to install two phone lines at Adam Hall at the installation cost of $88.00 and to have one line go into service now. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees asked that a letter be sent to the Board of Elections to notify them that a phone line is being installed at Adam Hall.
Mr. Troyan suggested that a letter be sent to Eric Drake, Assistant Prosecutor, Geauga County Prosecutor’s office, outlining the proposed event to be held at Adam Hall for fundraising purposes for the Kenston Schools. The trustees are not opposed to a poker night or games of chance event but want to make sure that it receives approval from the prosecutor.
Patrick J. Cavanagh attended the Health District Advisory Council meeting and reports that big changes are upcoming. House Bill 231 will cause us to relinquish control of septic issues to the State of Ohio. That means that the $600,000 that would come through the County will then go to Columbus. The County will have to certify that the installations are OK and the State will send money back to the county. We are essentially becoming a branch office for the State beginning in 2007 or 2008. The state will design two types of septic systems for use and the price range will be $25,000 to $35,000.
John A. Eberly reported on the KCE Task Force meeting between him, Chris Horn, Bainbridge trustee, John Moreno, Kenston School board member and Dr. Lee. It was a long and informative meeting including interviews of KCE personnel. Baseball sign-up is on-going. Another task force meeting is scheduled.
Susan Plavcan, Fiscal Officer, presented warrants and purchase orders. She presented each trustee the current financials.
Mrs. Plavcan reported that she met with Ken Lewis, Cub Scout Pack 101 leader and he showed her an example of benches the pack will help construct for Adam Hall’s gazebos. He has treated wood and the Webelos will help him construct one bench for each gazebo for starters. It will count toward community service for the cub scouts and is certainly appreciated by the township. He also said that he spoke with Mr. Hastings and the boy scouts would like to attend next week’s meeting as a part of earning a community service merit badge.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Eberly will contact the sign company whose literature we have from the OTA meeting. They make signs from recycled materials. He will check out pricing for a sign for Adam Hall.
The Cemetery Sexton position has been noted in the newspapers. Anyone interested should contact the trustees by March 24th. Interviews will then be conducted.
NEW BUSINESS:
Road projects were discussed and the trustees decided that White Oak Drive and Derbyshire Lane and Colchester Drive are the projects in the most urgent need of repair work and should be targeted for this summer.
Motion by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by John Eberly to request a Resolution of Necessity from the Geauga County Engineer’s office for the road work on White Oak Drive and on Derbyshire Lane and Colchester Drive. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. Sean Mullen was present as well as Holly Sauder and Karen Jordan representing the Kenston Playground Committee which hopes to raise $60,000. They are asking for moral and financial support for the cause. Mr. Eberly is not opposed to helping; however, the next few weeks will give us a clearer picture of our finances. We not only have a tight budget in general, but we are in the process of evaluating if the township will have financial obligations to KCE.
Mr. Trethewey said he does not want to see any tax payer dollars spent on a school located in Bainbridge. It was noted that while 38% of the children attending Kenston Schools live in Auburn, there is not a school located in Auburn. Mr. Eberly spoke to the school campus theory which is more cost effective. Mr. Trethewey suggested tearing down Auburn School and selling the bricks as a fundraiser.
Motion by Michael Troyan seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to adjourn the present meeting. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned.