The regular meeting of the Board of Township Trustees, Newbury Township was called to order at 7:30 p.m., September 2, 2009, with all members present.   Minutes of the meeting of August 19, 2009 were approved upon a motion by Mrs. Blair, a second by Mr. Snively, and affirmative votes from Mr. Snively and Mrs. Blair, with Mr. Skomrock abstaining due to his absence from the 8/19 meeting.  Minutes of the August 25, 2009 were approved upon a motion by Mrs. Blair, a second by Mr. Snively, and a unanimous affirmative vote.  The trustees announced that the next regular meeting would be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, due to Mr. Skomrock’s inability to be present for the normal Wednesday meeting time due to being out of town on a scheduled business trip.

Zoning activity reported by Mrs. Endres included work with Joni Stusek from the Geauga County Department of Community and Economic Development on the Neighborhood Stabilization Grant, including a meeting with Larry Heiden of the Geauga County Building Department, going through Kiwanis Lake to review the properties proposed for demolition.  Chief Building Official Mike Mihalisin will write the actual certification.  Mrs. Stusek is drafting a letter through the prosecutor’s office that will be sent out to the property owners.  Mrs. Endres reported that the group has met with some of the owners of the affected properties.  Regarding the Radio One cell tower on Sperry Rd. near its intersection with Rt. 87, they have heard back from the tower owner’s attorney as they work on a new bond.  The proposed bond amount will be reviewed to ensure that it is sufficient to cover any possible disassembly, removal, and restoration of the property back to its original state.  It is desired that the tower owners meet with the BZA to ensure that will happen. 

Mrs. Endres reported that the Democratic Party was moving from their existing space to a double unit at the same location, and is seeking a permit to allow operation under zoning regulations which allow for a “lodge or fraternal organization” for the holding of functions at that location.  In response to a question from Mrs. Blair regarding activity at All Erection Crane, Mrs. Endres said that she did not know what might be going on there.  Mr. Snively suggested that the attorney representing the township in the current litigation might call their attorney.

At the request of the Fiscal Officer, Mr. Skomrock moved that Resolution 2009020201, an appropriation transfer of $1000 from 1000-410-323-0000 Cemeteries-Repairs and Maintenance to 1000-410-219-0000 Cemeteries-Employer's Retirement Contributions.  Mrs. Blair seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

At the request of the Fiscal Officer, Mr. Snively moved that Resolution 2009020202, an appropriation transfer of $20000 from 2031-330-740-000 Road and Bridge-Machinery, Equipment and Furniture to 2031-330-490-000 Other-Supplies and Materials.  Mr. Skomrock seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Mr. Snively noted that he was going to be meeting with County Engineer R.L. Phillips regarding the Kiwanis Lake road abandonment project.

Mrs. Blair moved that the board authorize Mr. Snively to sign a letter of notification to the property owners affected by the NSP grant, advising them that their property meets the criteria for this grant and that they should contact Joni Stusek with any questions.  Mr. Skomrock seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Mr. Skomrock moved that the board adopt Resolution 2009020203 the revised Adult-oriented business 2009 additional language, mirroring the newly revised state guidelines Jan seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Mrs. Blair presented the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch report for August with a total of 216 incidents, with increased traffic stops and tickets comprising a larger portion of this total.  

Mrs. Blair reported on last night's joint meeting with the Park Board and Recreation Board, as well as reporting on the activities completed so far in the park.  The Pattie Group presented a design concept for the park entrance.  It was decided to wait until spring to do any work.   Mrs. Blair reported that she had contacted 12 landscapers, with 8 wanting to participate, including design and donation of labor to implement this design.  Another meeting is scheduled for September 17, at which time the trustees hope to create new timelines and related activities, and responsible parties.   The goal is to come up with a comprehensive plan that will be used as a template for specific design activities in the future.  Once the laser grading is completed, work will continue for installation of the rock at the park driveway entrance.  Culvert pipe on driveway needs to be lowered to improve drainage along the front of the park property next to the school.  It was stated that the Pattie group design concept was very useful to serve as a catalyst for the discussions that followed.  It was also reported that a decision has been made to move the gas line in order to place a planned ball field in the best location possible.  In response to a question regarding whether the ball field installation would be required to be bid, the trustees said that given the expected costs, they expected that it would.  Mr. Skomrock moved that zoning fees for any zoning permits issued for park be waived; Mrs. Blair seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

Wayne Mansfield gave an update on the repairs to the township garage and pressure wash of the fire escape and rear stairway, with seal work to occur next to help preserve the wood, with a goal to extend the life of this current stairway at least another ten years.

Mr. Skomrock brought up the issue of the position of Cemetery Sexton, with Linda Phillips retiring at the end of September.  Mr. Snively said that Ann Wishart has been learning some of the basic functions of the position.  The consensus was to appoint Ms. Wishart as interim sexton between now and the end of the year, with a goal by that time to document the job, including a diary of activities handled.  Mrs. Blair moved that Ms. Wishart be appointed interim Cemetery Sexton effective October 1; Mr. Skomrock seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

The trustees discussed the issue of policy regarding cemetery plots provided to Newbury residents.  Issues discussed included offering a resident the option to pay half the current plot price if they want to reserve a specific plot, as well as how to deal with plots long-reserved.  Mr. Skomrock moved that the board designate a burial decision committee, comprised of the cemetery liaison trustee, the cemetery sexton, and Administrative Specialist Marcia Mansfield.  Mrs. Blair seconded this motion, which passed by unanimous vote.

The trustees agreed to send Karen Endres to Leadership Geauga for the 2009-2010 year at a cost to the township of $1000, with the understanding that this will be done on her own time, upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mrs. Blair, and a unanimous affirmative vote.   The trustees discussed an upcoming public records seminar to be held at Lakeland Community College, suggesting that Ann Wishart and Marcia Mansfield might go.

The trustees discussed park planning work done by the Pattie Group along with a $4,265.00 proposal for the revised scope of work for their services.   Trustees accepted this proposal, and decided that this planning work should be paid from the township General Fund, rather than from the HUD grant.

Mr. Snively reported on township website activity from the onsite visit tools, with a low of 71 to a high of 141 per day, with an average of 90 visits.  It was reported that the #1 visit destination was departments and services page. This meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m., upon a motion by Mr. Skomrock, a second by Mrs. Blair, and a unanimous affirmative vote.