Burton Village Council Committee

Public Hearing

12 June 2006

           

Meeting called to order by Mayor Fischbach at 6:35 PM

 

Roll Call: Sandy Humbert, Yes. James Koster, No.  Judy Beaumier, Yes. Dianne

Lillibridge, Yes. Sharon Gingerich, Yes.

 

Visitors: Edna Davis, Tom Clark, Shelley McDermott, Lee Koroshes, Jane Koroshes, J. McKevitt, Jacqueline Samuel, Mike Sestak, Tom Clark, Ken Lewis, David Ward.

 

The Mayor recognized visitors. 

Mr. Ward, representing the Board of Public Affairs, called for the Village to forego all rent from T-mobile in an effort to pay off the charges T-mobile was assessing for removal of their cellular antenna from the water tower for painting.  The Council was in general agreement and will pursue this course of action with the Village solicitor.

 

Mr. Koroshes asked if any plans were in the works to replace and repair the sidewalk on the west side of North Cheshire and to repave North Cheshire itself.  The Mayor stated that he thought some of this work might be covered in the upcoming Ohio Public Works Grant being handled by Mr. Hess.

 

Shelley McDermott thanked the Council for funding some of the Burton Elementary playground rehab.  Mrs. McDermott presented some diagrams of the proposed equipment being purchased and discussed color schemes and ground cover material. 

Mr. Koster arrived at 6:52 PM.

 

The Mayor opened the public hearing to comment on the proposed 2007 Tax Budget.  There was no public comment.

 

The Mayor opened the public hearing to comment on the proposed 4.75 mill Fire Levy Renewal.  There was no public comment.

 

Jacqueline Samuels commented on the meeting held in the Bond Building on 31 May 2006.  According to Mrs. Samuels there were forty eight people present at the meeting. Of those, sixteen were invited speakers.  Of nine people sitting at her table, all nine were solidly against the idea of painting pancakes on the water tower.  In Ms. Samuels words, it was analogous to having a Nike swoosh (trademark) without a shoe.  Ms. Samuels thanked the Mayor and Council for doing the job they were elected to do.

 

Zoning Inspector: Joe Hernandez

Not present.

 

Committees:

Local Government and BPA; Dianne Lillibridge

Mrs. Lillibridge was unable to attend the Burton Township meeting because the Township moved the date.  Mrs. Lillibridge met briefly with members of the Berkshire Community Planning Association to go over information received from McKenna and Associates prior to the meeting on Thursday 15 June.

 

Historic Review Board/Grants; Sharon Gingerich

Ms. Gingerich and the Historic Review Board are going to approach Geauga Credit Union to see if they would like any assistance from the Village with plans to develop the Bahnick Building.  Ms. Gingerich is working on the Home Page web site for the Village.

 

Parks and Forestry and Cemetery; Sandy Humbert

Ms. Humbert reported that the Cemetery looked excellent for the Memorial Day service and thanked the Street Department for their help in maintaining the park and trimming trees.

 

Streets; James Koster

Mr. Koster reported that the Memorial Day service went very well.  The Street department is working hard to maintain everything around the Village including watering the flowers and new trees. 

 

Finance; open seat

 

Fire Department; Judy Beaumier

Mrs. Beaumier deferred to the Fire Department representatives for a report.  Chief Sestak informed Council that a Fire Marshall had inspected the Street Department garage and found some deficiencies.  Mr. Koster noted that they all looked to be easily correctable.  The Department responded to sixteen EMS calls in the Village last month, four to Burton Health Care, thirteen to individual residents, and one nonresident.  The Department also responded to two fire calls.  Chief Sestak informed the Village that Ms. Davis has moved out of the Old High School building and the law suit between her and the Department is being settled.  The update on the building will require expensive asbestos removal before it can even be removed in preparation for additional truck bays.  Chief Sestak has lined up a potential private donor to cover the costs of the work.  The Department has ordered a new pumper tanker truck.  This truck will meet the needs of the Department and Chief Sestak did not feel that it would be detrimental to the streets.  The Chief also reported that the Department has decided not to put in a fill station to replace the hydrant in front of the building.  The Chief instead will ask the Board of Public Affairs to go ahead and replace the existing hydrant because it lifts the concrete when opened.  Council and Chief Sestak discussed efforts by the Department to help get the next Fire Levy passed.  Chief Sestak mentioned several community programs being put on by the Department including babysitter training and fire extinguisher training.   Mrs. Beaumier thanked the Fire Department for assisting the American Legion with preparations for the Memorial Day Service.

 

Mayor’s Report;

The Mayor reminded all Council members to be careful with respect to nepotism laws and summer hires for the Village.  The Mayor complimented the Street Department for their work in keeping up the appearance of the Village.

 

Old Business;

Spring Street professional building was discussed.  Mr. Hess has visited the building and believes that because of it age, the Village can expect to put at least some money into maintenance every year.  Mr. Koster stated that if the price was right then we should go ahead.  A meeting of the realtor and the Village building committee was suggested.  Mrs. Beaumier asked if first we should not figure how much we could spend and if there were any grants available.  Ms. Gingerich will look into grants. 

 

Mr. Koster stated that he would be going on vacation next week.  Council discussed ways to get legislation passed with Mr. Koster unavailable.  A decision was made to make the July 10 meeting a Special Council.

 

Mrs. Beaumier and Ms. Gingerich asked about possible mowing or letters for those lawns not in compliance with Codified Ordinances.  Identified were one lawn on Seco, Spring Street, Ford Avenue along the football field, and on the property line between Finnerty’s and Oberle’s property.

 

Ms. Gingerich noted that Jeanne Neal of Carlton Street complained about water runoff into her basement.  Mr. Lynn Rose was directed to meet with her.

 

New Business;

The Village Chamber of Commerce is putting on an old fashioned picnic in the park on June 18 in honor of the Geauga County Bicentennial.  Lines will be sprayed in the park to mark the path of a pancake flipping contest.

 

Ms. Gingerich noted that many Vendors and citizens with questions were circumventing the Village Office and going straight to the Village Solicitor.  The Mayor stated that he would direct the solicitor to have everyone call the Village Office first for referral to Solicitor if needed.

 

Discussion was made of the possibility of spraying for mosquitoes around the village.  The idea will be researched further.

 

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM