The regular meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:30 p.m., May 4, 2011, with all members present. Sgt Gallowan from the Geauga County Sheriff’s Department was recognized to address the board and audience. Sgt. Gallowan is a night-time supervisor for the Sheriff’s Department, and was present to speak about problems with ATVs on the Oberland Park township property. Also discussed were problems with damage and vandalism occurring around the property. Sgt. Gallowan described the current procedures for coverage of the area based on assets available to the Sheriff’s Department at various times of the day. He asked that residents provide information regarding approximate times and dates that these incidents were occurring. Also discussed was some recent vandalism damage done to the Grange Park property. Sgt. Gallowan said that increased patrols have been implemented to provide greater coverage. Trespassers can be prosecuted for property damage, with parents of any juveniles apprehended to be potentially charged as well. Juveniles will be taken to the safety center prior to release to their parents, and any ATVs can be confiscated and transported to an impound lot. Mr. Snively recommended that the township write a letter to residents in the immediate area warning against trespassing and vandalism. Sgt. Gallowan suggested that the township might have the township's Assistant Prosecuting Attorney author such a letter, to impress upon area residents the seriousness of the matter.

Minutes of the meeting of April 6, 2011 were approved upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Ms. Blair, and affirmative votes from Mr. Skomrock and Ms. Blair, with Mr. Snively abstaining due to his absence from that meeting. Minutes of the meeting of April 20, 2011 was approved upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mr. Snively, and affirmative votes from Mr. Skomrock and Mr. Snively, with Ms. Blair abstaining due to her absence from that meeting.

Burton Township Trustee Dan Whiting was recognized by the trustees, to discuss the rental by Burton Township of the township's roadside mower. He recommended that such an arrangement include the “loan” of an operator to ensure someone familiar with the equipment operate it. Mr. Snively said that he had communicated with Susan Wieland from the Prosecutor's office who affirmed that this was a legal practice, and that an agreement could be created to cover this action. It was agreed that a contract document should be created following a meeting of the Newbury and Burton Road Superintendents.

Road activity reported by Mr. Hollis included cinder cleanup, equipment repair, removal of weight reduction signs, repair of damaged berms, and ditching on various roads. Mr. Hollis reported that some cemetery work has been started but hindered by heavy rains. Mr. Hollis also reported that there was some damage to the town hall's aluminum trim, along with possible roof damage. Mr. Wayne Mansfield agreed to look at the possible issues.

It was reported by Ms. Endres that Orwell Gas wants to put a gas line in the Snow Road right-of-way, and the township currently doesn't have a resolution in place to ensure responsibility for repair. It was reported that Auburn Township adopted language enacted by Geauga County a number of years ago which provides for some accountability. It was recommended that the Prosecutor's office be contacted for assistance in drafting a resolution. Ms. Endres has asked the Orwell Gas representative to provide a letter and drawings describing the planned work

Mr. Skomrock reviewed with Mr. Hollis some of the suggested practices for Road Department operations, including vehicle inspection documentation, and required road sign upgrades, and annual MVR reports as provided to him recently by the OTARMA Risk Assessment specialist.

Zoning activity for April was reviewed by Ms. Endres. It was reported that the shooting range proposed by Jodi Swartout went before the BZA as a use variance and was denied as it didn't meet the required standard. A draft judgment entry document is being created, and it is hoped that the draft will be finalized and ready for trustee review by the next trustees' meeting, following return of Ms. Swartout's attorney from vacation. It was noted that Sheriff McClelland has provided some useful input that should prove helpful in formulating the final plans. A BZA hearing was held and conditional use was approved for the Zeppe's restaurant to be established in the Panzica Newbury Center development. Ms. Endres reported that she had investigated with ODNR representatives a small pool of discolored standing water on the new ball field on the Oberland Park property. Preliminary testing of this water did not disclose any ingredients that would be associated with a gas or oil well; discoloration stemming from naturally-occurring iron in the ground was the initial conclusion.

The recent public hearing conducted by the Geauga County Commissioners on the abandonment of sixteen segments of never-constructed roadway within Kiwanis Lake was discussed. Ms. Endres discussed the revised classification of the annual Craft-n-Clutter sales by the Newbury Community Church, which will require securing of a permit under current zoning regulations. A general discussion was held regarding how non-profit operations should be regulated and how much they should pay to comply, and the consensus was that these kinds of issues should be handled on a case-by-case basis. Agreement was also reached by the trustees that fees would continue to be waived for non-profit events held on township property.

Fire activity for April as reported by Chief Zimperman included 42 calls, with 173 year-to-date. Cemetery activity was reviewed by Cemetery Sexton Ann Wishart. Financial results for April were provided by Mr. Lair.

Blanket Certificates approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:
B.C. # Date Payee Amount
53-2011 4/20/2011 Various Vendors $ 1,000.00
54-2011 4/20/2011 Various Vendors $ 5,000.00
55-2011 4/22/2011 Various Vendors $ 2,000.00
Total: $ 8,000.00
Warrants approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:
Check # Date Payee Amount
27448 5/3/2011 David J. Lair - DL $ 1,376.58
27449 5/3/2011 John H. Mansfield - JM $ 525.03
27450 5/3/2011 Jas. Rick Phifer - JP $ 1,328.24
27451 5/3/2011 Marge Hrabak - MHR $ 302.99
27452 5/3/2011 Randal R. Hollis - RH $ 1,559.83
27453 5/3/2011 Randal O. Hollis - ROH $ 1,122.82
27454 5/3/2011 Timothy A. Mansfield - TM $ 1,214.30
27455 5/3/2011 William J. Skomrock, Jr. - WS $ 663.80
27456 5/3/2011 Ohio Public Employees Deferred Comp. Pro $ 1,460.00
27457 5/3/2011 Treasurer of State $ 864.03
27458 5/3/2011 Ohio Public Employees Retirement System $ 7,671.18
27459 5/4/2011 Reliance Standard Life Insurance $ 559.18
27460 5/4/2011 Geauga County Maple Leaf $ 30.00
27461 5/4/2011 David Snively $ 7.99
27462 5/4/2011 PNC Bank $ 485.72
27463 5/4/2011 Windstream $ 292.14
27464 5/4/2011 Kimball-Midwest Inc. $ 444.81
27465 5/4/2011 FASTENAL CO. $ 69.10
27466 5/4/2011 Dominion East Ohio Gas $ 629.08
27467 5/4/2011 Grainger $ 183.35
27468 5/4/2011 Delta Dental $ 674.31
27469 5/4/2011 United Healthcare Insurance Co. $ 11,740.46
27470 5/4/2011 Speedway SuperAmerica $ 220.19
27471 5/4/2011 Chagrin Oil & Gas Co. Inc. $ 1,165.01
27472 5/4/2011 Hess & Associates $ 2,500.00
27473 5/4/2011 Ann Wishart $ 29.58
27474 5/4/2011 Patsy Keyes $ 198.00
27475 5/4/2011 M.T. Business Technologies $ 12.31
27476 5/4/2011 Tractor Supply Co. $ 2.46
27477 5/4/2011 Verizon Wireless $ 37.74
27478 5/4/2011 Newbury Auto Parts Inc. $ 352.52
27479 5/4/2011 Morningstar Tree Service Inc. $ 685.00
27480 5/4/2011 First Energy $ 1,543.43
27481 5/4/2011 Sunrise Springs Water Co. Inc. $ 23.75
27482 5/4/2011 Waste Management of Ohio Inc. $ 25.46
Total: $ 40,000.39
EFT transactions processed prior to or at this meeting:
Trans# Date Payee Amount
E00511 5/3/2011 Ann A. Wishart $ 521.34
E00512 5/3/2011 David A. Snively $ 712.32
E00513 5/3/2011 Douglas J. Zimperman $ 1,199.56
E00514 5/3/2011 George Mansfield $ 1,196.85
E00515 5/3/2011 Janice M. Blair $ 748.80
E00516 5/3/2011 Karen E. Endres $ 304.51
E00517 5/3/2011 Marcia J. Mansfield $ 133.13
W00052 5/3/2011 Middlefield Bank $ 3,492.54
Total: $ 8,309.05

Mr. Snively reported that the Health District Advisory Council was requesting that an alternate be identified. Ms. Blair was appointed upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.

Mr. Snively reported that the United Way annual Day of Action will be to work with GMHA in June to build a playground at the Scranton Woods community. Mr. Snively reported that recycling contractor Abitibi had contracted the township asking for a community survey on the current recycling process. The consensus amongst the trustees was that the township would not be increasing the amount of time spent by township personnel on the recycling program.

Ms. Blair reported that Sidley has agreed to donate 100% of the cement required for installing the floor in the Oberland Park pavilion. The location for the sand pit volleyball court has been staked out approximately 30' south of the pavilion. Six picnic tables have been donated thus far, including three tables from Newbury Kiwanis and one table by the trustees.

Mr. Skomrock reported that the April 911 report from the Sheriff’s Department included a total of 169 incidents.

Following the recommendation of the Geauga County Engineer, the paving contract for the asphalt resurfacing of various township roads was awarded to Ronyak Paving in the amount of $156,255, upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Ms. Blair, and a unanimous affirmative vote.

Mr. Skomrock reviewed his meeting with the OTARMA Risk Assessment specialist, noting that agreements with users of township property need to be reviewed to ensure that evidence of proper insurance coverage is received. Ms. Blair reviewed planned Memorial Day activities. Mr. Bill Skomrock Sr. provided additional information as to the activities planned by the Newbury American Legion. Acquisition of fire and security monitoring systems for the town hall was discussed, and it was agreed that reviewing various options and pricing should be handled by Ms. Wishart.

Resolution 2011050401 honoring Water Star Inc. for its role as business leader in Newbury Township and its commitment to the community was adopted upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Ms. Blair, and a unanimous affirmative vote. Upcoming meetings were reviewed by Mr. Snively. This meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m., upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.