The regular meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:30 p.m., March 18, 2009, with Mr. Skomrock and Mr. Snively in attendance.  Minutes of the meeting of March 4, 2009 were approved upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.

Deborah O’Connor, Director of the Geauga County Public Library gave a very interesting presentation on what is available at the library.  Geauga County has the highest per-capita rate of library utilization in Ohio.  Tax forms are available at the library, and library staff is teaching residents how to use computers and the Internet.  They also have people that are teaching other topics such as landscaping and home repair.  Along with books, they have multi-media offerings, including blue ray DVDs that can be borrowed. 

Walt Voyzey from the Newbury Kiwanis spoke about doing a partnership type show/festival where possibly the park board would receive 50% of any profit and the rest would go to the Kiwanis for their charities.  They would like to do something next summer with the grand opening of the park and a radio station has offered talent at no cost.  Mr. Snively indicated that this year would not be feasible but the township is open to the idea for next year and believes it is a good idea. 

It was reported that the last County Planning Commission meeting had been cancelled.

At the request of the Fiscal officer, Resolution Number 2009031801 for a supplemental appropriation to 1000-990-990 in the amount of $17,686.50 for the refund of a St. Gobain personal property tax overpayment was approved upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.  The trustees agreed to adopt the “Land Use Plan” revision upon a motion by Mr. Snively, a second by Mr. Skomrock, and a unanimous affirmative vote.

It was reported that “No ATV” signs have been purchased, one has been installed and is still up, and the Sheriff’s Department is enforcing the law now that the sign is up.   A letter has been sent to bordering residents and large lot owners near the park about the prohibition against ATV’s in Oberland Park.

It was reported that the County Engineer had sent a 2009 contract summary with estimated costs for repaving of Arbor Trail at $150,000, Cory Lane,  $60,000, and the Bass Lake to 44/Pekin (Section G) at $45,000.    It was also noted that the township has committed to joint projects on Cedar Road w/Munson for $50,000 and Pekin w/Russell at $30,000.  As the township has appropriated an amount for road paving of approximately $191,000 for 2009 projects, the commitment of $80,000 for the Newbury match of the joint projects leaves about $100,000 available for the other projects mentioned.

Mr. Skomrock discussed that the federal government has mandated that all road signs have to be replaced with ultra reflective signs, so on all new projects the township will be putting up ultra reflective signs as a part of the project.  Estimated costs by Mr. Hollis for this additional cost are about $1500.00 to upgrade 1/3 of the current township signs, with the township trying to replace all signs within 3 years.

A proposal from Penn-Ohio for Newbury Clean Up Day roll off dumpsters was accepted upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.  It was reported that the Geauga County Township Association dinner will be on April 8, 2009 and all Trustees and the Fiscal Officer will be attending.  A recommendation to add the words “general welfare” back into the wording of the township zoning resolution was discussed, as this wording is part of model zoning.  Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Susan Weiland’s opinion on this is the township has nothing to lose by putting it back in, and a lot to lose by not putting it in.  The Zoning Commission will discuss this at upcoming meetings.

This meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m., upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mr. Snively and a unanimous affirmative vote.

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David Snively – Chairman                                          Jan Blair – Vice Chairman

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William Skomrock, Jr.                                                            David Lair – Fiscal Officer