Burton Village Council Committee

10 April 2006

           

Meeting called to order by Mayor Fischbach at 6:30 PM

 

Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, Yes. Jeff Coleman, Yes. James Koster, Yes.

 Judy Beaumier, Yes. Dianne Lillibridge, No. Sharon Gingerich, Yes.

 

Visitors: Edna Davis, Tom Clark, Lee Koroshes, Jane Koroshes, Jack Garner, Marcianne Kimpton, Shelley McDermott, Marie Lovas, Joyce Blair, Jerry Rouge, Jan Hoffart, John Hoffart, Lisa Thoreson, Dan Thoreson, Rob Kagler, Keith Steele, Frank Samuel, Mike Fath, Deborah Barber, Ken Kleve.

 

The Mayor recognized visitors. 

Mr. Garner asked about the gaslights proposed for the Village.  Mr. Garner wanted to know if the Village would have to pay for the gas for the lights and whether the lights would always be on.  The Mayor responded that the Village would have to pay for gas and as yet, he was not sure if the lights would be on all the time or just at night.  Mr. Coleman interjected that the last time the Village looked at this issue the gaslights had the option of always on or automatic on.  Council and Mr. Garner discussed pros and cons.

 

The Mayor recognized Mr. Rob Kagler of McKenna Associates.  Mr. Kagler introduced himself and briefed the Council on the role of McKenna Associates with the Berkshire Community Planning Association (BCPA).  McKenna Associates is working with BCPA to develop a master plan for the communities within the Berkshire school district.  Mr. Kagler made a point that the master plan being developed is not a comprehensive plan.   McKenna Associates has gathered input from all the community and created or ranked a series of important issues relating to the community.  The two highest ranked issues were a balance between economic growth and preserving natural resources and preserving the environment.  The steering committee has noted that up to now a preponderance of the input has seem to come from the township(s) with a focus on large home sites and rural atmosphere preservation.   A more balanced outlook or emphasis needs to be placed between the incorporated Village and the more rural townships.  The BCPA master plan will not replace any governmental entities Comprehensive Plan, mainly because the BCPA has no authority to implement any plan.  Mr. Kagler recommended that the Village develop its own comprehensive plan.  The Mayor asked how the Village would be fitting in to this master plan.  Mr. Kagler stated that the Village is key to this project for two reasons.  One, the Village is the only government entity within the Berkshire School District able to tax outside of property taxes (excepting the School Income Tax).  Creation of Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDD) or Cooperative Economic Development Agreements (CEDA) will be essential to improve the economics of the area.  Cooperation between local government entities will be very important.  The other reason Burton Village is key are the ability to provide water and sewer services.  According to Mr. Kagler, the Village can drive the economic engine of this community but it will require cooperation.

 McKenna Associates is creating a zoning map of the school district.  McKenna Associates and the BCPA are looking for input from the Village.  Mr. Coleman asked when the process would be finished.  Mr. Kagler stated that the master plan is scheduled to be finished in June or July.  There is a progress meeting on April 27, 2006 at the Burton Volunteer Fire Department to report on the master plan and gather input from Council and interested citizens. Mr. Kagler urged Council to attend.  Mr. Coleman stated that he would like to start developing a Comprehensive Plan for the Village and wanted to know if that would help.  Mr. Kagler stated that developing a Comprehensive plan is important but should be given its own time to develop and get citizen input.  Development of a good Comprehensive Plan will take longer than the scheduled end of the BCPA master plan.  The Mayor asked Mr. Kagler if McKenna would be at the joint meeting.  Mr. Kagler replied that he had not heard about the meeting and was not sure about his availability to attend.  Mr. Kagler was very positive about the idea of a joint meeting.  Mr. Frank Samuels, Chairman of the BCPA, added that BCPA wanted input from Council and Village citizens strongly enough to move the scheduled completion time of the project back a month or so if necessary to accommodate the Village.  Mr. Samuels offered to attend the Joint Meeting.  The Mayor stated that the idea sounded good but required the Township trustees to sign off first. 

 

The Mayor recognized John Hoffart.  Mr. Hoffart explained that he was against painting the water tower like a stack of pancakes.  Mr. Hoffart presented research he had done concerning the water tower in Circleville cited by others as a positive example of painting a design on the tower.  Mr. Hoffart concluded that the idea of painting the water tower like pancakes would do little to improve the economic viability of the Village without a plan to support it.  According to Mr. Hoffart, the Village already has a motto, Where History Lives, and does not need another.

 

The Mayor asked for one representative of the Chamber of Commerce group, pro pancakes on the water tower, to speak.  Keith Steele thanked Council for the quick response to his freedom of information request.  Mr. Steele asked Ms. Gingerich if the two negative emails the Village provided represented the several she had spoken of.  A brief discussion ensued.  Mr. Steele noted that the Chamber of Commerce is trying to have a town hall meeting in the Village.  Mr. Steele invited the Council to attend. 

 

The Mayor recognized Jerry Rouge.  Mr. Rouge spoke out against painting pancakes on the water tower.  Mr. Rouge felt that the Village should be represented by something more than pancakes.

 

The Mayor recognized Marie Lovas.  Mrs. Lovas read an unsolicited letter from Mr. Don Hornack that supported the idea of painting pancakes on the water tower.  In the letter, Mr. Hornack noted that he was responding to a request from Mrs. Lovas and provided several ways that the businesses in the Village could capitalize on the publicity.  The financial aspect should not be an issue, according to Mr. Hornack and Mrs. Lovas.  Mr. Hoffart called into question the unsolicited nature of the letter given Mr. Hornack’s statement that he was responding to a request by Mrs. Lovas.  Mrs. Lovas stated that she had thousands of positive calls and that the County Commissioners were for the idea.

 

The Mayor recognized Lisa Thoreson.  Mrs. Thoreson asked if any other designs had been considered.  Mrs. Lovas stated that no other designs were considered. 

 

The Mayor mentioned that he had met with County Commissioner Mary Samide earlier today and she was opposed to painting pancakes on the water tower.  Commissioner Samide also felt that it was inappropriate for the County Commissioners to interfere in what is a local government decision.

 

Mrs. Beaumier stated that this issue of painting the water tower like a stack of pancakes was becoming inflammatory and she wanted everyone to step back and try to work together.

 

An unnamed resident spoke in favor of painting the water tower like pancakes.  She felt that people would come to see a crazy tower.  The idea should be viewed in a lighthearted way.

The Mayor recognized Dan Thoreson.  Mr. Thoreson asked for a recap on what painting the water tower would involve.  The tower will be sandblasted inside and out, and then painted with a three-part epoxy paint system. 

 

The Mayor recognized Shelly McDermott.  Mrs. McDermott is President of the Parent Teachers Association and is leading a citizens group that will be replacing deteriorating and unsafe playground equipment at Burton Elementary School.  The old playground equipment is made of treated lumber and is 12 years old.  The cost of replacing the equipment for the older children is approximately $30,000.  The PTA has saved that amount of money for the project but requests $7,500 from the Village to defray costs of removal and possibly repair of the younger children’s equipment.  The new playground equipment will be all steel and will have a much longer lifespan.  Council has agreed in principal to donate funds for the project.  Council will need to vote on an amount at the next meeting.

 

The Mayor recognized Mike Fath.  Mr. Fath introduced himself as another member of the BCPA.  Mr. Fath gave to council a draft of the vision, goals, objectives, and implementation strategies presented by the Steering Committee along with McKenna Associates at the March 23 meeting.  Mr. Paquette will give a copy to each Council member.  Mr. Fath invited Council to attend the next BCPA meeting on April 27^th at 7:00 PM in the Burton Volunteer Fire Department.  Mr. Fath also reiterated the importance of developing a Comprehensive Plan.

 

Fire Department Report;

Tom Clark provided a monthly fire report to Council members. 

 

Mr. Paquette asked Mr. Clark about the possible purchase of a new pumper tanker for the Fire Department as reported in a local paper.  Mr. Clark it was true but was unaware of the specifics.  Mr. Paquette asked if the 3000 gallon tank capacity and other truck appointments were true.  Mr. Clark stated that he thought so although he was not directly related to any of the purchase decisions.  The old pumper tanker requires at least $100,000 of repairs.  A new one will cost approximately $320,000.  Mr. Paquette asked if the tight turning radius reported for this new truck, combined with its weight, in excess of 15 tons, would tear up the asphalt pavement in front of the fire station.  Mr. Clark replied that the department would be careful.  The fire department will be selling flowers next Friday and Saturday to benefit the purchase.

 

Zoning Inspector: Joe Hernandez

Not available

 

Committees:

Local Government and BPA; Dianne Lillibridge

Mrs. Lillibridge was not available.

 

Parks and Forestry and Cemetery; Sandy Humbert

Ms. Humbert stated that seven trees are ready to be planted as soon as Mr. Rose, Street Commissioner, is instructed on the proper planting procedure.

 

Streets; James Koster

The pole barn addition to the street garage is up and awaiting concrete for the floor.  As requested Mr. Koster looked at the signs lining the road into the Village.  The majority are in the township and not under our jurisdiction to do anything about.  This could be a topic to discuss at the joint township Village meeting.  Mr. Rose is taking bids for painting and striping of roads and in the Village.  Mr. Koster mentioned that as part of his duty, Mr. Rose observed some students in the park doing something out of place.  A minor confrontation occurred between a student and Mr. Rose.  All parties, police, school, and parents were notified. 

At the Planning Commission last week, an ordinance seeking to control the location of adult/sexually orientated businesses in the Village was presented and forwarded to Council. Mr. Koster asked all council members to review the ordinance for the next meeting.  The businesses will be restricted to location in areas zoned M-2 industrial but not with in a certain distance of a school.  A discussion ensued.

 

Finance; Jeff Coleman

Thanked Mr. Paquette for his quick response and solution to $100 missing from the last bank statement.

 

Fire Department and Arts Antiques and autumn; Judy Beaumier

Mrs. Beaumier stated that the Fire Department gave their report earlier.  Mrs. Beaumier reported that the Arts Antiques and autumn show for this year has been cancelled and rescheduled for 2007.   Mrs. Lovas commented this was unacceptable because the event had already been advertised.  Mrs. Beaumier directed Mrs. Lovas to contact the Arts Antiques and Autumn Committee to express her concerns.

 

Audit Review Board/Grants; Sharon Gingerich

Ms. Gingerich had nothing concerning grants.  Ms. Gingerich provided a summary of the purpose and objectives of the Historic Review Committee.  Ms. Gingerich asked if the Police Department officers had written the letters for the two more bulletproof vests.  Chief Nichols replied that his officers were working on it.  In response to another question, Chief Nichols responded that both full time officers have bulletproof vests.  The Chief stated that he does not as yet have one. 

Ms. Gingerich discussed the possibility of sharing a wood chipper with the Township.  Mr. Paquette and Mr. Kleve both stated that the Village does not currently own a chipper.  Mr. Paquette added that Mr. Rose currently has no place to put wood chips.  It more efficient to rent a chipper in an emergency or contract out and have the contractor deal with the chips.

Mr. Coleman asked Ms. Gingerich to contact Congressman Latourette for an update on the status of the ODOT property in the Village.  Will the property become available for the Village?  Mr. Koster related a conversation he had with an ODOT manager.  The facility would move if the State had been able to obtain property off Merritt Road.  The property was not made available to ODOT.  Mr. Kleve discussed the potential loss of revenue should ODOT move out.

 

Mayor’s Report;

Reminded all Council members of the joint meeting between Council and Burton Township trustees on April 12^th in American Legion Hall at 7:00PM.

 

Old Business;

Mr. Paquette asked the Mayor if he could give the Ohio Public Works Commission Grant Request for  2007 to the Village engineer and let him fill out the Capital Improvement Plan or have a meeting with all Department heads and Mr. Koster to create the improvement plan first.  A discussion ensued.  The Mayor directed Mr. Paquette to send the grant request forward to the Village engineer and have him prepare the Capital improvement plan.

 

Mrs. Lovas asked if the south end of the park would be dug up during the weekend of June 18^th.  The Mayor stated that to his knowledge the company installing the gas pipeline through the Village would be using underground, lateral boring techniques that should not require open holes if no problems arise.

 

New Business;

Raccoon Rabies vaccinations baiting begins April 17.  If a pet eats the bait, it will not be harmed. 

 

Former employee Ricardo Esposito passed away earlier this month.  Donations are being taken around the Village to defray funeral costs.  The cost of the funeral is $3500 to $4000.  So far, $1204 has been collected.   A discussion ensued as to whether the Village can donate funds and why.

 

Judy Beaumier reminded all present of the Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for April 15 at 11:00 AM, rain or shine.  The event will be in the south end of the park.

 

Mr. Koster recommended that Mr. Paquette resubmit a request to have the Village property on Goodwin Avenue exempted from taxation because of its use by the Village. 

 

Judy Beaumier moved to adjourn the meeting, Sandy Humbert seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM

 

 

Mayor  ______________________      Fiscal Officer    _________________________