The regular meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:30 p.m., September 3, 2008 with all trustees present.   Minutes of the meetings of 8/20/2008 and 8/26/2008 were approved upon a motion by Mrs. Blair, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.

Sgt. Brian Johnston from the Geauga County Sheriff’s Department addressed the trustees regarding a newly formed block watch group that has been organized by the residents of the Scranton Woods development.  He discussed issues that have been identified as typical in public housing developments that need to be handled.  Five families originally stepped forward to be a part of this project; this has since grown to thirteen families, which represents nearly half of the homes in this GMHA development.  Criminal arrests have already taken place, and there is now a block watch picnic scheduled.  Eventually, the block watch group will operate by themselves with minimal direct involvement from the Sheriff’s Department, other than the handling of incidents.  Mr. Skomrock complimented both the Sheriff’s Department and the residents of the area for this project.  Mrs. Blair complimented David Snively for his initiative in working with the Sheriff’s Department and Scranton Woods residents.  Also announced at this time was an arrest by the Sheriff’s Department of an individual in a recent attempted assault on Grace Street.

Road activity reported by Mr. Hollis included repair work on Lucky Bell, installation of drainage pipe in the park, 3 funerals, brush cutting along township roads, grave repairs, and repair of vehicles.  It was also announced that the 2008 road resurfacing projects have been completed.

Fire activity included 40 calls for August with 358 calls year-to-date, as reported by Ken Fagan.

Roger Mezak presented a quote from Turos, Inc. for application of agricultural lime in the amount of $725.00 for 4 tons per acre on 5 acres, as recommended by Les Ober, who suggested that lime be placed between the excavation and the athletic fields, as the fields have not received much nourishment over the years.  Mr. Skomrock moved that this expenditure be approved; this motion was seconded by Mr. Snively and passed by unanimous vote.  Mr. Mezak presented a brief update on the HUD grant project and reported that Koltz Block donated broken asphalt for additional parking lot material needed by the expanded parking lot space.

Mr. Snively moved that the board adopt Resolution 2008090301 Proposing To Cooperate With The Munson Township Board of Trustees for the 2009 Improvement to Cedar Road.  Mrs. Blair seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Mr. Snively moved that the board adopt Resolution 2008090302 Proposing To Cooperate With The Russell Township Board of Trustees for the 2009 Improvement to Pekin Road.  Mrs. Blair seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Mr. Snively reported that the no-parking signs on Hillview and Crestwood are installed and enforcement can now commence.  Mrs. Blair reported 263 “multi-type” incidents as documented by the Sheriff’s Department for August, including 9-1-1 calls and other documented law enforcement activity, including drive-throughs of Scranton Woods.

Mrs. Blair reported that the township had received over 100 responses on the Newbury branding survey.  She stated that the goal is to present findings and proposed programs at the October 1st meeting.   Mrs. Blair also reported on completion of mandated training and completion of other requirements to receive BWC discounts.  Mr. Skomrock also thanked township employees and volunteers for their participation in the recent substance abuse recognition training.

Mrs. Joanne Majeski addressed the trustees regarding perceived hazardous conditions along a portion of Route 44 near the Music St. intersection, referring to a recent accident that resulted in the death of a cyclist.  Mrs. Majeski also provided information on other recent accidents in this area, one of which had also resulted in a death of a motorist.  Mrs. Majeski recounted previous efforts to improve the safety of this intersection, and noted that currently, this area ranks 22d in the state in a list of the most dangerous sections of road.   

It was agreed that it should be requested of ODOT that they look at this issue as soon as possible, rather than their latest commitment to look at the issue “later next year”.  Mrs. Majeski identified the curve north of the Music St. intersection as the most dangerous portion of the road.  

Mr. Snively said that it appears from a recent ZBA meeting that the Zoning Commission needs to update the Zoning Resolution to reflect current technology used in signs as displayed by businesses or organization.  It was recommended that each such proposed sign be considered as a conditional use.  The BZA is sending a letter to the Zoning Commission asking that this issue be made a top priority.

Mr. Skomrock moved that the board adopt Resolution 2008090303 Accepting the Amounts and Rates as Determined By The Budget Commission And Authorizing The Necessary Tax Levies and Certifying Them To The County Auditor.  Mr Snively seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Warrants approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:

Check #
Date
Payee
 Amount
30727
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30728
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30729
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30730
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30731
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30732
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30733
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30734
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30735
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30736
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30737
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30738
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30739
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30740
9/2/2008
Void
 $             -   
30755
9/2/2008
Ann A. Wishart              - AW
 $      448.56
30756
9/2/2008
David J. Lair               - DL
 $    1,020.43
30757
9/2/2008
David A. Snively            - DS
 $      838.00
30758
9/2/2008
Janice M. Blair             - JB
 $      799.15
30759
9/2/2008
Marcia J. Mansfield         - MM
 $      140.54
30760
9/2/2008
William J. Skomrock, Jr.    - WS
 $      664.15
30761
9/2/2008
Karen E. Endres             - KE
 $      899.89
30762
9/2/2008
Marge Hrabak                - MHR
 $      449.89
30763
9/2/2008
Douglas J. Zimperman        - DZ
 $    1,250.16
30764
9/2/2008
George Mansfield            - GM
 $    1,158.91
30765
9/2/2008
Jas. Rick Phifer            - JP
 $    1,340.03
30766
9/2/2008
Randal R. Hollis            - RH
 $    1,605.24
30767
9/2/2008
Randal O. Hollis            - ROH
 $    1,074.21
30768
9/2/2008
Timothy A. Mansfield        - TM
 $    1,177.91
30769
9/2/2008
Douglas J. Zimperman        - DZ
 $      579.35
30770
9/2/2008
Treasurer of State
 $      745.17
30771
9/2/2008
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
 $    7,475.02
30772
9/2/2008
Ohio Public Employees Deferred Comp. Pro
 $    1,090.00
30773
9/3/2008
Geauga County Maple Leaf
 $        62.70
30774
9/3/2008
Kokosing Materials
 $    3,902.16
30775
9/3/2008
Reliance Standard Life Insurance
 $      448.53
30776
9/3/2008
Ohio CAT
 $      353.74
30777
9/3/2008
All-Ways Flasher Service Inc.
 $      153.50
30778
9/3/2008
National City Bank
 $      134.03
30779
9/3/2008
Tractor Supply Co.
 $        40.94
30780
9/3/2008
Chagrin Oil & Gas Co. Inc.
 $      820.99
30781
9/3/2008
Windstream
 $      316.99
30782
9/3/2008
Dominion East Ohio Gas
 $      173.25
30783
9/3/2008
Speedway SuperAmerica
 $      587.43
30784
9/3/2008
First Energy
 $      473.48
30785
9/3/2008
Kimball-Midwest Inc.
 $        65.70
30786
9/3/2008
Ann Wishart
 $        75.35
30787
9/3/2008
MANGIA! MANGIA!
 $        65.00
30788
9/3/2008
Patsy Keyes
 $      170.50
30789
9/3/2008
Verizon Wireless
 $      140.13
30790
9/3/2008
Delta Dental
 $      620.30


Total:
 $  31,361.33

Correspondence received since the last meeting was reviewed by the trustees.  This meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m., upon a motion by Mrs. Blair, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.


__________________________________  ___________________________________     
William Skomrock, Jr.  – Chairman            David Snively – Vice Chairman    


__________________________________  ___________________________________
      Jan Blair                     David Lair – Fiscal Officer


A special meeting of the Board of Township Trustees was called to order at 7:00 p.m., August 10, 2008 with all Trustees present.  Purpose of this meeting was to adopt Resolution 2008091001, Honoring the Community of St. Helen Church and Reverend James (Jay) McPhillips, Pastor.  Mr. Skomrock moved that this resolution be adopted; Mr. Snively seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  

This meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. upon a motion by Mrs. Blair, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.


__________________________________  ___________________________________     
William Skomrock, Jr.  – Chairman            David Snively – Vice Chairman    


__________________________________  ___________________________________
      Jan Blair                     David Lair – Fiscal Officer