The regular meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:35 p.m., January 19, 2005, with all members present.  Mr. Quigley introduced David Dietrich, Geauga County Planning Commission Director, Kyle Dreyfuss Wells, Director of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, and Carmella Shale, Administrator for the Geauga Soil and Water District, who gave a presentation on riparian setbacks,

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read upon a motion by Mr. Fioritto, a second by Mr. Majeski, and a unanimous affirmative vote.  It was noted by Mr. Quigley that the trustees had interviewed some candidates for zoning positions from 6 to 7:30 p.m. this evening, with no decisions made during this process.   The trustees agreed to meet on January 26th at 7p.m. for a special meeting to discuss the 2005 permanent appropriation.

Fire Chief Zimperman noted that there have been 20 calls so far year-to-date.  In response to a question from Mr. Majeski, it was reported that annual payments on the two new fire trucks total about $83,000, and these are the only vehicles for which the Fire Department is currently making payments.  Mr. Majeski asked Mr. Fagan for a copy of an annual report for 2004; it was agreed that the Fire Department trustees would be at the 2/16 meeting for review and possible signing of the contract for 2005.

It was reported that Police Chief Battaglia could not be here tonight, but would be submitting a report to the trustees in the next few days.  Mr. Hollis was also unable to attend tonight’s meeting, due to weather conditions dictating snow removal.  It was reported that an estimated cost for repaving Pekin Rd. from Auburn to Sperry would probably be in the $270,000 range, and that it would probably cost about $24,000 to chip and seal portions of Music St. from Munn Rd. to the Russell line.

Mrs. Endres said that a number of pending actions were in the hands of the Prosecutor.  Mr. Majeski said that Mr. Abe Cantor would again be representing the township on the latest All Erection Crane lawsuit.  Mr. Quigley said that he would like to continue to operate as lead trustee on this issue, given his familiarity with the case, to which the other trustees agreed.   Mr. Quigley brought up the issue of a ZBA hearing held on behalf of Dr. Patricia Manzo-Craddock which was not carried to its full conclusion and for which reason Mr. Quigley felt that Dr. Manzo-Craddock was entitled to refund of a $500 fee which she had paid.  Mr. Quigley moved that this fee be refunded; Mr. Majeski seconded this motion, which was approved by unanimous vote.

Mr. Les Ober, representing the Newbury Park Board requested that the Park Board be placed on the agenda on a regular basis, to which the trustees agreed.

Effective immediately, the following individuals were appointed by the following motions:
Mr. Majeski moved that John McLandrich be appointed to the Zoning Commission for a five year term; Mr. Fioritto seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  
Mr. Majeski moved that William Skomrock Sr. be appointed as a Zoning Commission Alternate for a two year term; Mr. Fioritto seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  Mr. Majeski moved that Judd Douglas be appointed as a Zoning Commission Alternate for a two year term; Mr. Fioritto seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  Mr. Majeski moved that William McCullam be appointed as a Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate for a two year term; Mr. Fioritto seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Mr. Fioritto stated that he would be meeting tomorrow with Mr. Wagner from Newbury Schools regarding the handling of video equipment that will be procured through a grant negotiated with Adelphia Cable as a part of their Franchise Agreement renewal.  Mr. Majeski said he had spoken recently to an ODOT representative, who indicated by a return voice mail that ODOT would be installing a left turn traffic light arrow for eastbound Rt. 87, to be activated from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Auburn Rd. intersection.

The trustees discussed new regulations and recommendations regarding the administration of workmen’s’ compensation claims relating to the new rebuttable presumption law.  The trustees discussed the Citizens’ Financial Review Board to be established to oversee township finances with the Township Clerk.  It was decided that the initial board would be comprised of one member selected for a three year term, one member selected for a two year term, and one member selected for a one year term, to establish a rotation ensuring continuity in the board’s knowledge of township finances.  Mr. Lair agreed to create a notice soliciting applicants for the board, to be placed in the Newbury School’s Knightlines publication.

Correspondence received since the last meeting was reviewed by Mr. Quigley.  Mr. Majeski moved that the board adopt a proclamation in support of the work of School Boards and recognition of January 2005 as School Board Recognition Month.  Mr. Fioritto seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  Mr. Fioritto moved that the trustees pass Resolution 20050119001, withholding consent for the remission of taxes, penalties and interest on an application for Real Property Tax Exemption filed under Section 3 of Sub. H.B. 362 of the 125th General Assembly.  Mr. Majeski seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

After discussing steps to generate interest and citizen and business involvement in moving forward on planning for a revised 208 plan to serve the area zoned commercial and industrial in the central Newbury area, this meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m., upon a motion by Mr. Quigley, a second by Mr. Majeski, and a unanimous affirmative vote.


__________________________________  ___________________________________     
  Glen Quigley – Chairman            Robert Fioritto – Vice Chairman       


__________________________________  ___________________________________
  William Majeski                     David Lair – Township Clerk

A special meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:10 p.m., January 26, 2005, with all members present.  Primary purpose of this meeting was to discuss the 2005 permanent appropriation.  

The trustees discussed various funding alternatives within the General Fund.  Some discussion was held following a suggestion by Mr. Fioritto regarding the possibility of reducing the contract amount for the Fire Department within the General Fund, to enable the Police Salaries account to be funded at a level equivalent to 2004.   Various audience members including members of the Newbury Volunteer Fire Department, along with Mr. Quigley and Mr. Lair expressed opposition to this idea.  Mr. Majeski indicated support for some shifting of funds from the Fire Contract within the General Fund toward police salaries.  Mr. Lair suggested temporarily lifting the moratorium on the sale of cemetery lots to non-residents, in order to sell approximately twenty cemetery lots, which would enable the township to certify sufficient monies into the Cemetery fund to pay for 2005 cemetery maintenance salaries from that fund, thus freeing up the monies currently appropriated in the General Fund for that purpose for transfer to Police Salaries.

The trustees all stated their support to safety forces in the community.  After further discussion, the trustees agreed on the idea of limited sale of cemetery lots to free up General Fund monies to enable the Police Department to operate for 2005 at a level close to what was maintained last year, with the outcome of the Police Levy vote to largely determine the level of funding for 2006 and beyond for the Police Department.  Mr. Quigley suggested that the 2005 permanent appropriations be adopted as presented; Mr. Fioritto so moved, and Mr. Majeski seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Purchase Orders approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:
P.O. #    Date    Payee    Amount
    14-2004    12/30/2004    Burton Sheet Metal, Inc.    $4,265.00
     1-2005    1/31/2005    Treasurer of State    $2,500.00
     2-2005    1/31/2005    Geauga County Treasurer    $1,300.20
     3-2005    1/31/2005    Geauga County Treasurer    $1,811.18
        Total:    $9,876.38
Blanket Certificates approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:
B.C. #    Date    Payee    Amount
     1-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
     2-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $800.00
     3-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $500.00
     4-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
     5-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $2,000.00
     6-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
     7-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
     8-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $500.00
     9-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $500.00
    10-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
    11-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $150.00
    12-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $200.00
    13-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $2,050.00
    14-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
    15-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
    16-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
    17-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
    18-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $1,000.00
    19-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $2,000.00
    20-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
    21-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
    22-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
    23-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $2,000.00
    24-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $20,000.00
    25-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
    26-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
    27-2005    1/1/2005    Various Vendors    $5,000.00
        Total:    $78,700.00
Warrants approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:
Check #    Date    Payee    Amount
27174    1/18/2005    Linda Nokes    $680.35
27175    1/18/2005    Jack Lashley    $242.50
27176    1/18/2005    Doug Zimperman    $1,272.33
27177    1/18/2005    George Mansfield    $1,279.94
27178    1/18/2005    J. Rick Phifer    $1,496.05
27179    1/18/2005    Randal R. Hollis    $1,831.64
27180    1/18/2005    Randal O. Hollis    $1,024.62
27181    1/18/2005    Tim Mansfield    $1,253.62
27182    1/18/2005    Karen Endres    $665.51
27183    1/19/2005    Ohio Public Empl. Def. Comp. Pro.    $645.00
27184    1/19/2005    Prots BiRite    $186.12
27185    1/19/2005    Geauga County Maple Leaf    $73.20
27186    1/19/2005    Junction Auto Sales Inc.    $44.71
27187    1/19/2005    Newbury Tire    $95.00
27188    1/19/2005    Ohio CAT    $234.61
27189    1/19/2005    KopyKat Inc.    $268.93
27190    1/19/2005    Verizon Wireless    $86.39
27191    1/19/2005    Morton Salt Inc.    $6,694.76
        Total:    $18,075.28

This meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m., upon a motion by Mr. Quigley, a second by Mr. Fioritto, and a unanimous affirmative vote.


__________________________________  ___________________________________     
  Glen Quigley – Chairman            Robert Fioritto – Vice Chairman       


__________________________________  ___________________________________
  William Majeski                     David Lair – Township Clerk