Chester Government Update
Chester Township will be holding Memorial Day ceremony May 25, adhering to the social distancing and other reasonable precautions...
Chester Township will be holding Memorial Day ceremony May 25, adhering to the social distancing and other reasonable precautions. The service begins at 10 a.m. at the Chester Township Cemetery, 12701 Chillicothe Road.
Cleanup Days Canceled
Senior Cleanup Day and Chester Cleanup Days have been canceled due to the coronavirus.
Survey Update
The Chesterland community questionnaire was recently mailed. There have been some calls and questions from residents who said they had not received the questionnaire.
If a household did not receive a questionnaire, please email Ken Radtke Jr. at kradtke@chestertwp.org and provide him with one’s name and address.
The township is consolidating a list and a second mailing to those residents that were omitted will likely go out within the next few weeks. Trustees apologize for the error.
Meeting Highlights
The Chester Township Board of Trustees met April 23 and 27 in the town hall meeting room. Chairman Ken Radtke Jr. presided.
Radtke recognized Trustee Walter “Skip” Claypool for setting up the first ever electronic Zoom meeting, which is being used on a trial basis. Those interested in attending meetings via Zoom should contact the town hall by calling 440-729-7058 or emailing mlflorentine@chestertwp.org.
He also recognized Claypool for helping to organize a Rotary thank-you for University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. Chester fire and police departments and Chardon, Munson and Hambden fire departments were in attendance, as well, to assist with delivery of pizzas to the hospital workers. Thanks to the Chesterland News for its recognition of the event.
Other business conducted during the meetings included, but was not limited to, the following: the promotion of Sean Peck to road worker III, various salary adjustments, the purchase of a new lawn mower, the approval to renew an existing 2.5-mil road and bridge levy, the approval to renew a .5-mil police levy, the acceptance of contracts for various road projects, a decision to participate in the winter salt program resulting in considerable discounts, the purchase of a new computer, the repair of a various vehicles, the resignation of assistant fiscal officer Kathryn Kolk, a motion for dollars to conduct the state audit, lease agreements for new copy machines, acceptance of bids to perform road work and the resignation of Road Superintendent Joseph Fornaro. All three trustees complimented him on a great job and thanked him for his dedication.
Claypool asked the board of trustees to consider a contract with an outside law firm to assist with legal issues on an as needed basis. The board agreed.
Chester Police Chief Mark Purchase was chosen to assist the road department with administrative oversight and the Geauga County Engineer engaged to provide operational oversight to the road department staff until a replacement superintendent is selected.
Trustees are continuing to meet, and the public is invited to attend via Zoom or to attend live, observing social distancing standards and other limitations.
Submitted by Walter M. Claypool, Chester Township Trustee
