April 17, 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 J. Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of April 3, 2006. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
REPORTS:
Michael S. Troyan presented a report of the calls of the Auburn Fire Department for March, 2006. There were 45 calls with 18 of them covered by station staffing (40%).
Mr. Troyan also presented guidelines on having a Texas Hold 'em style charitable fundraising event at Adam Hall that was received from the assistant county prosecutor. A review of the guidelines shows no problems as the event is now set up.
There have been quite a few phone calls to the administration office complaining that the Cleveland Indian baseball games are not being aired by Cebridge Connections. Direct TV is showing the games. Apparently Cebridge Connections and Sports Time Ohio are negotiation a contract. Cebridge will keep us posted.
A letter was received from Christopher Hitchcock, Treasurer of the County, that inheritance tax in the amount of $1846.64 has been collected during the month of March from the estate of Kenneth Sorace.
Motion by Michael S. Troyan seconded by John A. Eberly to deposit the funds from the estate of Kenneth Sorace into the Land Acquisition Fund when received at the township. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Patrick J. Cavanagh followed up with Dave Wilmot regarding the CUE salt co-op that Dave has been tracking. There is nothing new to report.
Mr. Cavanagh is also following up with Orwell Gas regarding some trenches that they have not filled in.
Mr. Cavanagh discussed Shaw Road work. He said that Troy Township wants to do more detailed work, like correct the center line variances that have developed over the years, etc. Mr. Eberly said he does not believe that would be prudent use of township funds. Mr. Eberly will call Enos Detweiler to discuss.
Mr. Cavanagh talked to Lois Danku who is the daughter of our cemetery sexton, Loretta Seashols. Mr. Cavanagh reports that Loretta has been moved back home from the assisted living center. Lois will have a nurse there to check on her mother. In February 2006, Lois turned in all cemetery documents that Loretta had, saying she would no longer serve as sexton.
Motion by Patrick J. Cavanagh seconded by Michael Troyan to accept the resignation of Loretta Seashols as cemetery sexton effective today. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Loretta did a good job for the township and she is warmly thanked for her years of service and she is wished a good retirement.
BID OPENINGS:
Informal quotes received were opened.
Arms Trucking sent pricing for the furnishing and delivery of aggregate materials. There was a bid bond enclosed. Mr. Eberly read the pricing.
Szoka Excavating sent pricing for the rental of road equipment with pricing good from 5/3/06 and ending 5/2/07. We are holding his bid bond from last year. Mr. Eberly read the pricing.
Formal quotes were received for road work on Derbyshire Lane and Colchester Drive and for White Oak Drive with the following results:
Company Derbyshire/Colchester White Oak Drive
Shelly & Sands $214,785.00 $194,593.00
Ronyak Bros. $195,189.40 $181,820.80
Shelly Co. $200,1133.40 $181,481.30
The bids will be forwarded to the county Engineer where they will be checked out. Our decision will wait for their recommendation.
REPORTS (Continued):
John A. Eberly reported that Kenston Community Education has implemented some of the suggestions made by the task force. He said that KCE would like to use the fire department field for T-ball for young children. The trustees have no objection and would be happy to see the field in use. We will have to check to be sure that there are no holes left from the borings done on the field in our preparations for possible building there.
Two appointments of Auburn residents are needed for the KCE Board. Anyone interested will be considered. The trustees are looking for someone to dig in and get some work done and be a real part of the community. The candidate needs enthusiasm, should enjoy a challenge and enjoy getting involved.
The spring baseball program is off to a great start. The number of children enrolled is up. The price was increased to help cover the costs involved.
Mr. Eberly received notice of the 1st Annual Northeast Ohio Snow and Ice Technologies Conference to be held May 11, 2006 in Solon. He stated that there have been many advances over the past 20 years and he will try to attend to bring back some knowledge that may help us in our road program. He said that with Reilly Sweeping doing our cinder sweeping at a cost of $5,000 to $8,000 per year, perhaps using that money to spread pure salt with no cinders is a better option.
In response to a letter received at the township office about reseeding Taylor May Road following last year’s Issue II work on the last section, Mr. Eberly said we should notify Wheeler Landscaping to go ahead with the work as quoted by them last year. Mr. Willis Brown said that Orwell Gas is currently running pipe down the road and the reseeding should wait till they are finished.
Susan Plavcan, Fiscal Officer, presented warrants and purchase orders as well as the current financials.
Mrs. Plavcan asked if a township rep should be present for the Blue & Gold Banquet that the Cub Scouts are holding at Adam Hall. The trustees said that if the Cub Scouts would invite the trustees to the event, then a township rep would not have to be paid for. Otherwise, it would be needed.
Mrs. Plavcan noted that the Cintas bill has really gone up. It might be time to check out some alternative. The trustees agree.
Mrs. Plavcan presented papers from Huntington Bank for signatures. She is setting up an investment alternate, a money market account, which will pay the same interest as Star Ohio plus 10 points. The papers were signed.
OLD BUSINESS:
The trustees discussed the Gillmore Security quote for Adam Hall fire and security.
Motion by Michael S. Troyan seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to accept the revised quote from Gillmore Security to install a fire and security system at Adam Hall for $6,890. The monitoring fee will be $40.00 per month. We will not purchase the optional service fee. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Mr. Eberly will be meeting with Matt Blowers tomorrow evening. They are going to discuss having Mr. Blowers take more of a lead in the cleaning of Adam Hall. He currently cleans the Administration Building and Town Hall weekly. Mr. Blowers has provided Workers’ Compensation as an independent contractor. He has done a terrific job with the cleaning of the buildings.
The Board of Elections is very pleased with being able to use Adam Hall as an election site. Four of our six precincts will vote at Adam Hall. They will pick up a key the day before Election Day so that they can open at 5:30 a.m. on Election Day.
The trustees discussed a fence for Shadyside Cemetery. Our road department removed a lot of brush. Mr. Eberly questioned where exactly the fence should be placed. Mr. Troyan will call Frank Kitko to see if he knows where the line is. If not, then Gutoskey will be hired to help in the determination.
Motion by Michael S. Troyan seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to accept the quote from Auburn Fence Corporation to install 240’ of heavy 2-rail fence at Shadyside Cemetery for $1320.00. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The trustees will meet with Don Simpson of Auburn Fence to determine where to place the fence.
Mr. Cavanagh said he would contact Brett Lillibridge to get some ideas on low maintenance plantings for the cemeteries. He will also contact PerfecTurf to make sure they will have the cemeteries mowed and looking good by Memorial Day. Mr. Cavanagh has lined up the Kenston High School Band and someone to play Taps for the Memorial Day Ceremony. He is still working on a guest speaker. Mr. Cavanagh will talk to Dave about lining up Ronyak Bros. Paving to have Mapleshade’s driveways chip sealed before Memorial Day, too.
NEW BUSINESS:
Gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell has proposed an amendment known as the TEL or TABOR Amendment to be on the November 2006 ballot. The trustees discussed the amendment and urge everyone to vote against it. It would sound a death knell on local township government regarding funding. A levy would be close to impossible to pass as it would require a majority of all registered voters to go to the polls and vote the same direction. Most everyone is aware of how hard it is to even get 51% of all registered voters to vote, let alone with one voice. Small government funding would no longer come back to the townships either.
The trustees discussed the zoning board candidates they interviewed on March 27.
Motion by Michael S. Troyan seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to appoint Brett Jordan to the Zoning Commission as Alternate #2 to serve the remainder of the year. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Motion by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by John Eberly to appoint Scott Brockman to the Board of Zoning Appeals as Alternate #2 to serve the remainder of the year. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
The two candidates will be called right away so they can make the next available meetings for their boards. Congratulations to them both on their appointments.
A letter from Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. was discussed. They are requesting we appoint a Trustee and an Alternate Trustee to their Board for 2006.
Motion by John A. Eberly seconded by Michael S. Troyan to appoint Patrick Cavanagh as Trustee to the Chagrin River Watershed Partners Board for 2006. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Motion by John A. Eberly seconded by Michael S. Troyan to appoint Michael S. Troyan as Alternate Trustee to the Chagrin River Watershed Partners Board for 2006. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Michael Troyan read a Resolution Proclaiming Opposition to the TEL or TABOR Amendment on the November 2006 Ballot.
Motion by Michael S. Troyan seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to draw up and sign a Resolution in Opposition to the TEL or TABOR Amendment and send it to the Ohio Township Association. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Adelphia would like to meet with the Trustees to discuss renewing our contract. The trustees are amenable.
Dave Wilmot would like to establish the County’s mailbox policy. The issue is homeowners building a brick edifice for their mail or placing boulders in the right of way. The township does follow the county’s guidelines and the policy is on our website. The mailbox upright must be wood, not pipe, and cannot exceed 4” square.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
A questions was asked about the Road and Bridge Levy that will be on the ballot. The trustees said that it is a county levy and is a renewal levy.
Mr. Sean Mullen was present. The Texas Hold ‘em planning is going well. It will be Saturday, May 13 from 7 to 12 p.m. Good donations have been lined up for a Silent Auction and there will be an Artwork Sale of high school work.
Motion by Patrick J. Cavanagh seconded by Michael S. Troyan to pledge to match 50% of the profits made at the Texas Hold ‘em event with a cap of $5,000. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
In doing this, the trustees want to support the efforts being made to raise money for the Kenston Playground Fund.
Some residents are unhappy with that decision and feel the schools should be paying for the playgrounds, etc. The residents are already paying through high taxes to the school.
Motion by Michael S. Troyan seconded by John Eberly to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Motion to leave Executive Session by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by John Eberly. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.
Motion by Michael Troyan seconded by Patrick J. Cavanagh to adjourn the meeting. VOTE: Troyan, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned.