A special meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 10 a.m. Oct. 20, 2008, with all trustees present.  Also present were Dale Schiavoni and Bonnie Teeuwen from ODOT, Ron Chesla, Lou Mincek, William Gerber; Karen Endres, Ann Wishart; County Engineer RL Phillips; State Representative Matt Dolan; Chip Hess, Nacy Panzica, Charles Gates, and Newbury Schools Superintendent Dick Wagner.  Conferenced in via phone were State Senator Tim Grendell and Danielle Nelson, ODOT Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
Dale Schiavoni started the meeting with the traffic study Newbury submitted for the intersection of Auburn Road and Route 87.   Mr. Hess noted that the intersection fails at certain times of the day.   Mr. Chesla said the intersection is predicted to break down in 2010 and it could need an eastbound left turn lane.  Ms. Teeuwen said the intersection is now at Level E, and that the next level – Level F – is failure.  However, the intersection is not showing up as a high crash location, so a turn lane is not justified, according to Mr. Schiavoni. He asked when Panzica plans to start phase two of his Newbury Center development.  Mr. Panzica said he has preliminary sketches and permits but he doesn’t want to go any further until he has the driveway on 87 nailed down.
ODOT has a list of 250 high crash locations that need work and only $60 million available today. The 87 turn lane/congestion doesn’t score high enough to be funded, Mr. Schiavoni said. He added that the driveway Panzica is using on 87 has not been permitted. He offered to let Mr. Panzica use the 87 drive if it is flagged as only right turn in, right turn out. If he wants that spot to be full access, both north and south sides of 87 would need turn lanes.  He suggested going after Issue 1 funds for the intersection upgrade because ODOT money is very tight now.  Mr. Panzica can move forward now with a right in/right out drive onto 87, but he’ll need to get a permit.
There was discussion about how the north-south traffic flow on Auburn is also bad, especially in the morning when school traffic creates additional hazards, so closing the construction drive on 87 is not an option.
Senator Grendell wanted to know if the right in/right out driveway is part of Panzica’s next phase of development; Ms. Teeuwen answered yes.  Senator Grendell asked: If no one can turn east out of Newbury Center, is it because the drive is too close to the intersection?  Schiavoni said it is a concern.  When westbound traffic is backed up at the corner, visibility is poor for anyone trying to turn left out of the driveway.  Senator Grendell questioned limiting the number of driveways and Mr. Schiavoni said the limits are set by the access management manual that is part of the ORC.  Mr. Skomrock said vehicles coming from the west and turning left into the drive shouldn’t be a hazard.
Mr. Panzica noted when this all began he agreed to contribute the land at the corner for a turn lane with the understanding the state, county and township would all chip in to put in the turn lane. Now he just wants to build a row of small stores beginning with a restaurant like a Subway.  Mr. Hess said the construction driveway was allowed for both first and second phases of the development and this is Panzica’s second phase.
The state requires a permit for a driveway, Mr. Schiavoni said. If there is larger construction started soon at Newbury Center then the intersection may break down in 2009. If they re-do the analysis it would show the right turn lane is not needed. He said, “Let’s find the middle ground.”  Panzica should use the Rt. 87 construction driveway as right in/right out to get the next phase going. If safety becomes a factor and the analysis justifies it, then Columbus can be asked for funding for the turn lane.  On the other hand, if Mr. Panzica wants a full-movement driveway before Columbus schedules the turn lane, other funding sources need to be found.
Mr. Hess suggested a driveway on Route 87, 750 feet east of the intersection be allowed with full access.  Mr. Phillips agreed a drive further east is viable. Schiavoni suggested that Panzica propose a variance for the more eastern driveway.  Mr. Skomrock urged ODOT to allow Panzica to keep the construction driveway open until construction is done.  Mr. Schiavoni said the eastern, full access driveway would be okay with the construction driveway being right in/right out for now and Panzica can then start his second phase.  Mr. Panzica asked: If a turn lane goes in between 2010 and 2012 could he keep both driveways on 87? No answer was proffered.  Projecting future traffic congestion is difficult, Mr. Schiavoni said, and there are no guarantees, but if the intersection does fail, the township should take the first opportunity to put in for funding. But the intersection is still not likely to score high enough in the safety category to get funded soon, he added.
More discussion followed on whether a possible partnership could be formed if the township can get Issue 2 money in 2010 and apply it to the turn lane project in 2011.   Mr. Schiavoni said ODOT might have some partnership money to contribute and the county commissioners might contribute as well.  Mr. Phillips suggested NOACA might also be a funding source, and questioned if there are matching funds for the project might that move it up the list?   He mentioned the numerous instances where his office has done a lot of engineering for state-funded projects over the last 20 years.  Mr. Schiavoni said the immediate concern is to get Mr. Panzica going on his project. He said he will have a videoconference with the Columbus office to discuss options and Mr. Panzica should study the two options offered.
Mr. Hess said the ultimate goal is to have two full-access drives on Rt. 87 but it will be three to five years before Panzica is ready to put in a third building and probably nothing will happen on that plan until the turn lanes are in.  This meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

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


__________________________________  ___________________________________
      Jan Blair                     David Lair – Fiscal Officer


The regular meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:30 p.m., November 5, 2008 with all trustees present.   Mr. Skomrock expressed his appreciation for the results of yesterday’s strong support of the Newbury Township Road Replacement Levy.   Minutes of the meetings of 10/15/2008 were approved upon a motion by Mr. Snively, a second by Mrs. Blair, and a unanimous affirmative vote.

The trustees recognized Sean Sprouse from Burnham and Flower, agents for the township OTARMA   Todd Grueser from United Healthcare accompanied Mr. Sprouse to help answer any questions that the Board might have.  Mr. Grueser explained that previous problems that the township has experienced with the township’s HRA plan were largely due to the conflict between the township’s previous 10/1 – 9/30 plan year and the calendar fiscal year which was what the HRA administration system was built around.  Mr. Grueser explained that UHC Services would handle administration for all in-network providers and pharmacies.  Only an out-of-network claim would require the covered individuals to fax claims information to United Healthcare for payment and reimbursement.   Mrs. Blair moved to accept Healthcare Alternate 1 for 2009 at a current monthly rate for the current population of $8324, an approximate increase of 7.23%; Mr. Snively seconded this motion, which was passed by unanimous vote.  The trustees next discussed coverage through Delta Dental; it was stated that renewal of same coverage for 2009 resulted in single rates of $24.79 and family rates of $67.13, representing an approximate 5%-6% increase.  The trustees asked that Mr. Sprouse provide an alternative quote for dental coverage through Delta that would raise the maximum annual benefit per individual to $1,500, as the current $1,000 limit had been in place for many years now, while costs for covered procedures have increased substantially during this time.

Road activity reported by Mr. Hollis included most trucks being ready for winter service; cemetery headstones completed as required, brush cut along Pekin, installation of driveway pipes on Lucky Bell, installation of some plow markers, asphalt applied and berms repaired in various locations.

Fire activity reported by Ken Fagan included 458 calls year-to-date and 43 calls for last month, including one structure fire started by a car parked in garage after it had collided with a deer.

Mrs. Endres summarized zoning activity and reported that there were 5 registrations for the OPC conference in a week or so.  It was also reported that term limits are coming up for BZA and Commission members, and one current Commission member leaving due to relocation from the area; thus openings include 3 Commission and 2 BZA members.  The trustees agreed that an advertisement of openings on both boards should be placed, stating possible openings both on these boards or as alternates, should any current Commission or ZBA alternate wish to be considered as an active member of either group.  Mrs. Endres suggested that Oberland Park should be rezoned from Residential to Active Park, as a stand-alone change.  Almost any construction on the property would require a ZBA action as non-conforming if this change were not made.  Also discussed was the apparent operation of what appears to be a car dealership on the corner of Butternut and Ravenna Roads, on which Mrs. Endres is following up.  Mr. Kopolow has purchased the K&K operation from Mr. Kovacs, and is working with Mrs. Endres to ensure compliance with zoning.

Mrs. Blair reported a total of 212 9-1-1 calls and Sheriff incidents for October, with no rise in any significant activity category.  

Mr. Mezak reported that the Recreation Board is sponsoring a Corn hole toss event occurring on November 15th at Hickory Lake, with an entry fee of $40 per team to raise funds for recreation activities.   Mr. Snively reported that Wheeler Landscaping agrees that there is some additional work required to fill in wet spots on their recent job at the Oberland Park site.  Mr. Snively said that our assistant prosecuting attorney has suggested that an independent source provide an estimate as to what it will take to rectify this situation, and to withhold that amount from the Wheeler invoice.

At 8:30 p.m., Mr Skomrock moved that the Board adjourn into Executive Session, to meet with legal counsel to discuss pending litigation.  Mr Snively seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.  Individuals invited into this session included Fiscal Officer Dave Lair, Attorney Abe Cantor, Karen Endres, and Planner George Smerigan.
The Board returned to regular session at 9:15 with no action taken.

It was noted that the joint zoning board, ZBA, and trustees meeting, tentatively scheduled for November 22nd will have to be rescheduled due to conflicts, and will be rescheduled after January 1st.

Blanket Certificates approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:
B.C. #
Date
Payee
Amount
   155-2008
11/5/2008
Various Vendors
 $    2,000.00
Purchase Orders approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:

P.O. #
Date
Payee
 Amount
    30-2008
10/28/2008
Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
 $        64.00
Warrants approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:

Check #
Date
Payee
 Amount
30898
10/21/2008
Klerco Construction
 $  10,000.00
30899
10/21/2008
Tim Mansfield
 $        45.77
30900
10/21/2008
Farmers Welding Supply Inc.
 $      160.36
30901
10/21/2008
Concord Road Equipment Mfg.
 $      580.16
30902
10/21/2008
First Quality Sales
 $      122.32
30903
10/21/2008
Hans' Truck & Trailer Repair, Inc.
 $      721.35
30904
10/21/2008
Randal R. Hollis
 $      200.00
30905
10/21/2008
Premier Paint Technologies, Inc.
 $      123.95
30906
10/21/2008
Reliance Standard Life Insurance
 $      448.53
30907
10/21/2008
United Healthcare Insurance Co.
 $    7,776.94
30908
10/28/2008
Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
 $        64.00
30909
11/3/2008
Ann A. Wishart              - AW
 $      573.28
30910
11/3/2008
David J. Lair               - DL
 $    1,372.57
30911
11/3/2008
David A. Snively            - DS
 $      838.00
30912
11/3/2008
Douglas J. Zimperman        - DZ
 $    1,250.16
30913
11/3/2008
George Mansfield            - GM
 $    1,158.91
30914
11/3/2008
Janice M. Blair             - JB
 $      799.15
30915
11/3/2008
Jas. Rick Phifer            - JP
 $    1,296.73
30916
11/3/2008
Karen E. Endres             - KE
 $      899.89
30917
11/3/2008
Marge Hrabak                - MHR
 $      188.61
30918
11/3/2008
Marcia J. Mansfield         - MM
 $      246.93
30919
11/3/2008
Randal R. Hollis            - RH
 $    1,605.24
30920
11/3/2008
Randal O. Hollis            - ROH
 $    1,074.21
30921
11/3/2008
Timothy A. Mansfield        - TM
 $    1,177.91
30922
11/3/2008
William J. Skomrock, Jr.    - WS
 $      664.15
30923
11/3/2008
Treasurer of State
 $      778.11
30924
11/3/2008
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
 $    7,176.18
30925
11/3/2008
Ohio Public Employees Deferred Comp. Pro
 $      605.00
30926
11/5/2008
Windstream
 $      319.60
30927
11/5/2008
News Herald
 $        19.80
30928
11/5/2008
Karen Endres
 $      685.14
30929
11/5/2008
Geauga Concrete Inc.
 $        93.00
30930
11/5/2008
Marcia Mansfield
 $      284.72
30931
11/5/2008
Tim Mansfield
 $        42.98
30932
11/5/2008
ScapeAbilities (John Suvak)
 $      470.00
30933
11/5/2008
Allied Dealers Supply Co., Inc.
 $        82.88
30934
11/5/2008
National City Bank
 $      579.19
30935
11/5/2008
Speedway SuperAmerica
 $      487.36
30936
11/5/2008
Kimball-Midwest Inc.
 $      654.50
30937
11/5/2008
Sherwin-Williams Co. Middlefield
 $        20.33
30938
11/5/2008
Tractor Supply Co.
 $          6.49
30939
11/5/2008
Klerco Construction
 $    2,900.00
30940
11/5/2008
FASTENAL CO.
 $        16.61
30941
11/5/2008
Verizon Wireless
 $        64.89
30942
11/5/2008
Snap-On Tools
 $        13.99
30943
11/5/2008
Dominion East Ohio Gas
 $      255.33
30944
11/5/2008
First Energy
 $      523.10
30945
11/5/2008
CED
 $        18.58
30946
11/5/2008
Delta Dental
 $      620.30
30947
11/5/2008
Ann Wishart
 $        24.57
30948
11/5/2008
Konecny Painting & Resstoration
 $      308.00
30949
11/5/2008
Kokosing Materials
 $    1,330.00
30950
11/5/2008
Sunrise Springs Water Co. Inc.
 $        38.00
30951
11/7/2008
Geauga County Township Association
 $        96.00


Total:
 $  51,903.77

The trustees discussed the ongoing township branding project and decided that each Trustee and the Fiscal Officer should come up with two slogans that fit business growth.  Also discussed at this time was the website, with consensus that an individual should be identified who can help improve the look of the current site while making sure that the revised site can be easily self-maintained by the township.  Jan brought up issues regarding natural gas service options for the township.  The trustees agreed that they should review the contract offered by Lake Shore Energy.  This meeting was adjourned at 10:20 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