The regular meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:35 p.m., September 15, 2010, with all members present.   Minutes of the meeting of September 1, 2010 were approved upon a motion by Mr. Snively, a second by Mr. Skomrock, and a unanimous affirmative vote. 

The Geauga County Planning Commission report from Ms. Hrabak was limited to a report of a phone card sweepstakes scam which is being promoted.  Ms. Blair reported on progress on the construction of the new softball field, noting that Mr. Hall was moving forward with great enthusiasm.  She also said that between the ball field and the pavilion, the final HUD monies remaining will be spent in the near future.   

Blanket Certificates approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:

B.C. #

Date

Payee

 Amount

    81-2010

9/4/2010

Various Vendors

 $      162.14

    82-2010

9/4/2010

Various Vendors

 $    8,000.00

    83-2010

9/4/2010

Various Vendors

 $    1,000.00

 

 

Total:

 $    9,162.14

Purchase Orders approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:

 

P.O. #

Date

Payee

 Amount

    24-2010

9/4/2010

Russell Township

 $  52,000.00

    24-2010

9/4/2010

Russell Township

 $  18,163.15

 

 

Total:

 $  70,163.15

Warrants approved by signing prior to or at this meeting:

 

Check #

Date

Payee

 Amount

26920

9/15/2010

Kokosing Materials

 $    6,310.44

26921

9/15/2010

Chagrin Oil & Gas Co. Inc.

 $      337.71

26922

9/15/2010

First Energy

 $    1,508.30

26923

9/15/2010

Cintas Corp.

 $      586.88

26924

9/15/2010

Kevin Chartrand, MD

 $        51.00

26925

9/15/2010

Newbury Auto Parts Inc.

 $      234.29

26926

9/15/2010

David Snively

 $        72.70

26927

9/15/2010

CCM Rental Centers

 $        65.00

26929

9/18/2010

George Mansfield            - GM

 $    1,221.21

26930

9/18/2010

John H. Mansfield           - JM

 $      635.83

26931

9/18/2010

Jas. Rick Phifer            - JP

 $    1,352.28

26932

9/18/2010

Randal R. Hollis            - RH

 $    1,897.43

26933

9/18/2010

Randal O. Hollis            - ROH

 $    1,304.96

26934

9/18/2010

Timothy A. Mansfield        - TM

 $    1,424.19

26935

9/18/2010

Ohio Public Employees Deferred Comp. Pro

 $    1,625.00

 

 

Total:

 $  18,627.22

EFT transactions processed prior to or at this meeting:

 

Trans#

Date

Payee

 Amount

E00420

9/18/2010

Ann A. Wishart

 $      583.15

E00421

9/18/2010

Douglas J. Zimperman

 $    1,355.47

E00422

9/18/2010

Karen E. Endres

 $      107.01

E00423

9/18/2010

Marcia J. Mansfield

 $      219.91

  

Total:

 $    2,265.54

 Mr. Skomrock reported a total of 200 reported incidents from the Sheriff's Department for August, down from the previous month, with a large percentage of these incidents being for traffic enforcement. 

Mr. Skomrock reported that a mis-print had been found in the cemetery policy relating to veterans' eligibility for free services; he noted that this is limited to the bronze plaque, not the cemetery base.  Mr. Skomrock also mentioned that the County Engineer had asked the trustees to express their support for the upcoming Road Levy renewal issue; all three trustees agreed that they are very supportive of County Engineer Phillips and his department. 

Mr. Snively reported that he is going to an upcoming Chagrin River Watershed Partners board meeting, at which site selection of a mitigation bank will be covered, along with discussions regarding the Fowlers' Mill Golf course issue. 

Ms. Endres reported that she had received an application for the proposed Sweet Peet operation considered for location on Cross Creek Parkway.  Mr. Snively described his visit to a similar operation already underway in Brunswick, Ohio, coming away with a very good idea about how such a business would operate in Newbury.  Mr. Bob Flesher, developer of the proposed operation said that he would welcome others to visit the Brunswick location, stating that the proposed Newbury site would be operated a manner fully compliant with township zoning, and would be even cleaner than the Brunswick site.  John Bonner, a local Burton resident experienced in horticulture and who has been  designated to manage the proposed Newbury location was present for this discussion as well, stating that he would be glad to answer any questions regarding this operation.   Mr. Bonner stated that he is excited about becoming an active member of the community.  Mr. Skomrock questioned Mr. Flesher regarding the potential of the mulch production process to attract large numbers of flies to the site.  Mr. Flesher stated that he was willing to brainstorm to come up with ways to try to control flies, which he said are primarily a problem mainly in the summer.  It was noted that the normal cycle of business would be such that the inventory levels would be the lowest during the summer.  The source for this mulch is horse manure, which has a specific ph range and chemical composition, and different from other animal manure.  Mr. Flesher said their intent was to run the finest facility of its kind in the state.  Mr. Flesher stated in response to a question by Mr. Skomrock that 100% of the runoff from this process will be maintained on the property. 

Ms. Endres said that she had spoken to Geauga County Health Commissioner Bob Weisdack, who was supportive of concentrating horse waste in one area.  Carmella Shale, Geauga County Soil & Water District Administrator also said that there is a definite demand in this area for a local place for horse farm owners to dispose of their manure.  Mr. Flesher said that they have a plan to provide waste disposal units for horse farm owners.  He noted that the Sweet Peet process requires a minimum of 60% wood shavings, with 25% maximum manure content, and said that straw does not work in this patented process.  He also said that an Ohio EPA Class 3 permit limits processing size of this type of site to approximately 3 acres; they are proposing 70,000 sq ft of disturbed area to begin the operation, but this location could be expanded in size to the 120,000 sq. ft. maximum EPA limit. 

Mr. Snively discussed an Ohio Township Association Scholarship of $1500 for students residing in one of the1308 townships in the State of Ohio.  He said the township should publicize this program with schools in the area where Newbury residents attend.  Mr. Bonner asked that the board help promote a corn maze that he has created on his Burton township property (website:  geaugacountycornmaze.com) to help raise funds for the Berkshire pay-to-play program. 

Ms. Blair reported that there would be a Public Officials Day at the Geauga County Department on Aging on October 6th, and that the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District dinner and election will be on October 21.  Ms. Endres reported on the upcoming October 2nd Kiwanis Clambake, with a ticket deadline of September 27th. 

Mr. Fagan brought up the issue of Halloween hours for this year; the trustees decided to establish the time and date as 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 30th. This meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m., upon a motion by Mr. Snively, a second by Mr. Skomrock, and a unanimous affirmative vote.