Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees met on Feb. 2. Geauga County Engineer representatives Nick Gorris and Andy Haupt attended the meeting...
Public Discussion
The Chester Township Board of Trustees met on Feb. 2. Geauga County Engineer representatives Nick Gorris and Andy Haupt attended the meeting. Gorris provided a summary of the county engineer’s culvert condition on West Shiloh. The drainage pipes are deteriorating on the ends, but the passage is safe. Trustees thank the engineer’s office for its prompt response to the residents’ concerns.
Haupt explained “Force Accounts,” which is a process that if the estimated pre-job cost evaluation certain road maintenance and construction activities is more than $45,000 per mile for road maintenance and more than $15,000 per mile for road construction, then the county engineer will prepare a specification and the board can bid out that work.
The board also approved a resolution delegating design and permit authority for future drainage work of drive pipes and ditch enclosures to the county engineer. The action reduces some administrative burdens for the township.
Police Department
Chief Mark Purchase participated in 2017 budget discussions for the police department. The township is looking at extending the replacement cycle for police cruisers to a 120,000-mileage threshold rather than a replacement every five years, or about 100,000 miles. There was discussion regarding the possible purchase of a side-by-side ATV to assist in search and rescue with power lines and parks and support for special events such as Laurel Live and Chesterfest. No action was taken; evaluation will continue.
A new copier and contract with Canon was approved at $3,965 to replace an old machine.
Road Department
Monies were approved for Gradall repairs at $4,000, diesel fuel at $14,468.30 and service for the oil/water separator at $1,500, which is needed about every two years.
Old Business
Trustees executed an agreement to increase township bandwidth to 1 gigabit and transfer incoming phone call service through the county IT department. It is expected to save more than $1,000 per month in phone related charges.
New Business
Funds of $1,000 were approved to support the West Geauga Kiwanis with the 2017 Summer Concert in the Park series.
Fiscal Officer’s Report
Purchase orders were approved and several transactions were voided including payments for vision and dental insurance coverage because the township is now funding the services through its medical insurance provider, OPEC-HC. The payments were previously going to another company.
Discussion
Tim Covert, of Electolite, read a statement concerning his opinion on the static versus electronic sign that the board has been evaluating. He was concerned about the cost, which is between $15,000 and $25,000, and the durability of an electronic sign.
Covert added that if the township did purchase a static sign for $5,000 or less, he and Don Yert , of Dry Insurance, would pay for and install a new town hall flag pole. After public and board discussion, a motion was approved 2-1 to approve the static sign. Lions Club member Dennis Farmer was present at the meeting and will work with Covert to facilitate the construction of the brick monument around the sign.
On Feb. 9, the board held a special meeting to complete unfinished financial items and conduct an executive discussion regarding employee compensation. No action was taken after executive session.
Prepared by Ken Radtke Jr., Trustee
