A special meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 5:55 p.m., August 23, 2004, with Mr. Fioritto and Mr. Majeski present.  Purpose of this meeting was to hold a Safety Forces Workshop with William M. Kramer, PhD, who is an Associate Professor of Fire Science at the University of Cincinnati.

Mr. Kramer met with Police Chief Battaglia earlier in the day to observe how the Police Department operates.  Mr. Majeski told Mr. Kramer how general funds are shrinking in the township, due to factors such as the inheritance tax being eliminated, along with less funds being received from the State of Ohio.  Topics covered during this meeting included how to improve safety, saving lives, cross training, ISO ratings and sharing resources.  Dr. Kramer will submit a draft proposal after meeting with the Fire Department, which is scheduled for later this evening.

This meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m., upon a motion by Mr. Majeski, a second by Mr. Fioritto, and a unanimous affirmative vote.


__________________________________  ___________________________________     
  Robert Fioritto – Chairman            William Majeski – Vice Chairman       


__________________________________  ___________________________________
 Glen Quigley                     David Lair – Township Clerk

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order on September 1, 2004 at 7:32 p.m., with all Trustees present.  Mr. Fioritto welcomed all and, in David Lair's absence, asked Mrs. Hrabak to read the minutes of the August 18, 2004 meeting.  Mr. Quigley moved to accept the minutes with one change; Mr. Majeski seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  Mr. Majeski asked to postpone the reading of the special trustee's meeting minutes to the Sept. 15, 2004 meeting for approval.

The Police Department reported special patrols on Pekin Rd. and Music St. with speeding tickets and warnings issued.  Police were following up on 5 felonies including stolen and forged checks, break-ins at St. Helen's parking lot and others still under investigation.

Mr. Ken Fagan reported 50 Fire Dept. calls for August and 335 calls year-to-date.  He thanked the trustees for their support and participation at the Fire Dept. 50th Anniversary celebration August 21, 2004.  He estimated 300 attendees at this event.  Mr. Majeski congratulated the Fire Dept. for 50 years of service and sacrifice to the community.  He thanked Great American Awards, which had donated a plaque containing the township’s Resolution honoring the Fire Department.   Mr. Fioritto had requested a special consultant to meet with Trustees, Police and Fire Departments to review operations and make a proposal for future planning.  This initial trip was free of charge with any future charges included in the proposal.  The review topics included fire ISO rating, cross training, allocation for police from a shrinking general fund and available township resources to meet 5 year and 10 year plans.  

Mr. Robert Schneider questioned if an outside consultant was needed because the Fire Dept. volunteers were not doing an adequate job.  Mr. Fioritto said the volunteers were doing a great job and were a real asset to the community.  He renewed the board's commitment to gather all available facts, including outsider's expertise, before making the tough decisions to address the future funding shortfalls facing Newbury Township.

Discussions continued regarding the upcoming Police levy, with Police expenditures budgeted in excess of $70,000 for the current year and expenditures in excess of $80,000 for the previous year, the 2005 renewal of the Fire levy, and the willingness of the public to pay more for strong safety forces with anticipated extras.

Mr. Fagan pointed out that the Fire Levy now provides $210,000 annually and the Fire levy does not affect the separate contract for $70,000 extra from the Trustees.  Fire Department volunteers questioned how familiar the present trustees were with actual operations, and how often had they attended Fire Department board meetings.  Mr. Fioritto and Mr. Majeski have been trustees for 3 years but Mr. Quigley with 5 years as trustee had 12 years prior fire department personal experience.  

Mr. Chris Ott responded that the consultant came on "pretty strong, leaving a bad taste in their mouths" and implying they had no choices.  Mr. Fagan pointed out the consultant's first error, stating that the township has leverage with ownership of the buildings and equipment, when in fact the Fire Department retains title to the equipment until their corporation is dissolved.  The consultant had revealed knowledge of a personal and private EMS issue - viewed as a breach of faith.  The consultant asked "loaded questions" and viewed answers negatively or out-of-context.  The Fire Department believes any report will be biased.

Mr. Majeski apologized to all the Fire Department personnel.  Mr. Quigley said it would appear that the Fire Department members were insulted by the consultant's conduct and questions.  He suggested a joint meeting to review operations and functions before any further action on a Proposal that may not be salvageable.  Mr. Quigley reiterated that the Fire Dept. personnel are professionals first, in service and operation, and as volunteers shown in a most favorable light.  Mr. Cillian said the Fire Dept. has always enjoyed a good working relationship with the trustees and hope to continue this.  He said all Fire Department meetings and training exercises are open to the public, they have no secrets.  They believe there is no need for any outside consultant.  Mr. Fioritto agreed the consultant's comments were unprofessional and out of line.  He would like to attend the next Fire Department meeting on Sept. 8 at 8 p.m.

Jodie Swartout said she felt strongly that the trustees should write to sever any relationship with a consultant who treated people so badly.  She also thanked the road department for their work on ditches and culverts on Crestwood Dr.  Mr. Fioritto read her letter to the group.  Ms. Swartout requested the road department cut the high weeds at the corner of Crestwood and Hillview Drives.  She also presented the Park Board's proposal to repair the pavilion roof at Grange Park.  She indicated that volunteer labor would be done by Burton Rotary members but asked if the trustees could pay for the material estimated to be under $1000.  Mr. Majeski moved to allocate no more than $1000 for repair materials, Mr. Quigley seconded the motion that passed by unanimous vote.  Insurance should cover volunteers working on township approved business.  Ms. Swartout agreed to email final plans and figures for this roofing project.

Mr. Fioritto asked Sean Sprouse to review the employee insurance coverage plans.  He said the best value was this combination of carrier plans that he presented including health, vision, dental and life.  He offered to meet with employees and their spouses, and provide booklets to answer all questions regarding comparison coverage and co-pays.  Mr. Quigley asked about a cross comparison to present plans, total package costs, and possible savings of 3 to 4 thousand per month and better service by one agent.  Mr. Majeski and Mr. Fioritto agreed to review the plans (*** corrected 9/15/04 – “with Mr. Lair” ***) for possible 9/1/04 retroactive coverage/binder if applications and funds were received by the weekend.  Disability coverage was not quoted for the trustees.  Mr. Quigley said the employees now have short and long term disability coverage.  Mr. Sprouse agreed to meet with Mr. Lair to clarify all current issues and possible additional disability and life insurance coverage.

Mr. Fioritto addressed old business.  Mr. Quigley advised the board that he had applied for grant monies to dredge the downstream channel from Kiwanis Lake through the township 88 acres.  He noted that roads in Kiwanis Lake Community have been damaged by flooding.  Dredging to lower the high water level and building a new low-head dam would restore the wetlands to benefit the township.  He will contact Chagrin River Watershed Partners for technical advice and then submit cost estimates as available, stating that future mitigation dollars could pay for new park improvements.

Mr. Majeski said that he has contacted the county to determine if funds are available for abandoned property demolition with owner approval.  Forms will be forwarded by fax or email.  Mr. Quigley said that he wanted a special joint meeting with the Zoning Commission and BZA members, with the Trustees to discuss the junk cars and abandoned houses in the township.  Ms. Endres agreed to coordinate the suggested Sept. 22, 2004 meeting date.  She verified that the prosecutor had sent a letter to Mr. Adkins, delivered by Mr. Battaglia responding to Ms. Grysho and the many other complaints from Kiwanis Lake residents.

It was noted that a Certificate of Insurance covering the garden tractor pull event had been received.  The trustees’ discussion continued, addressing the mandatory drug-testing requirement under new House Bill 223.  If an on-the-job accident or injury occurs, township employees have CDL licenses that mandate testing.  Mr. Quigley asked Mr. Fioritto to investigate possible benefits in this complicated process.

Mr. Quigley presented the latest compromise proposal from All Erection & Crane Rental Co.  He had solicited a compromise but cited reasons to reject this proposal.  Mr. Quigley moved to reject the All Erection & Crane Rental Co proposal, Mr. Fioritto seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  Mr. Fioritto read the letter from the Planning Commission regarding setting a date for the public hearing to vacate sections of View and Kiwanis Drives. There was no need to attend the Sept. 2nd meeting as the subject was initiated by Newbury Township.  The Planning Commission also wrote letters advising that Zoning Commission action was required to add proposed institutional and planned business development zones coupled with 208 sewer revisions to the zoning manual.  Noise control regulations and criteria for enforcement by police or zoning inspector for decibel levels in residential or all districts were left as topics for future discussion.

Mr. Fioritto read the quotation from Morton Salt for a very favorable winter bulk salt price for an estimated 750 tons.  Other correspondence was read.  Mr. Quigley agreed to update the cemetery registration.  Mr. Majeski asked the board to express thanks to the following businesses that helped make Community Days such a success:

    The Flag Store for use of the portable sign at no charge,
    Geauga County Sheriff’s Dept.
    The Rock Church
    Geauga Savings Bank
    Kinetico Inc.
Prots Bi-Rite
Judy's Restaurant
Hickory Lake Inn
Mangia, Mangia
Americana Restaurant

Mr. Quigley said the board should be able to review the new and previous applications for the alternate BZA member by mid October.  He strongly advised choosing someone with prior zoning experience.

The following warrants were approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:
    Check #    Payee    Amount
    26791    Linda C. Nokes    $941.95
    26792    Jack Lashley    $700.00
    26793    Jack Lashley    $100.00
    26794    Bernard Krotine    $462.59
    26795    Paul P. Pfiester    $450.84
    26796    Santo Battaglia    $1,982.22
    26797    Terry A. Aytay    $340.54
    26798    Karen E. Endres    $548.96
    26799    Void    $0.00
    26800    Marge Hrabak    $447.88
    26801    Douglas J.Zimperman    $1,053.50
    26802    George Mansfield    $1,055.93
    26803    James R. Phifer    $1,237.53
    26804    Randal Hollis    $1,516.64
    26805    Randal  O. Hollis    $853.27
    26806    Timothy  A.  Mansfield    $1,048.38
    26807    Glen Eric Quigley    $690.55
    26808    Robert Fioritto    $666.64
    26809    William Majeski    $673.62
    26810    David J. Lair    $32.18
    26811    NATIONAL CITY BANK    $3,540.53
    26812    Karen E. Endres    $719.78
        Total:    $19,063.53

Mr. Quigley moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. with a second from Mr. Fioritto and a unanimous affirmative vote.


__________________________________  ___________________________________     
  Robert Fioritto – Chairman            William Majeski – Vice Chairman       


__________________________________  ___________________________________
 Glen Quigley                     David Lair – Township Clerk