Chester Township Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 15 began with an executive session to consider the purchase and sale of property...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 15 began with an executive session to consider the purchase and sale of property. Realtor Vic Cizek, Fiscal Officer Patricia Jarrett and Township Administrator Mark Purchase also participated in the session.
No decisions were made upon re-entering public session, and the board then moved into a public hearing for zoning amendments Z2022-4 and Z2022-5. One amendment dealt with increasing the allowable size for accessory buildings based on property acreage and the other was simply a language cleanup, which passed. After good discussion and input from the public, the board decided to continue the public hearing to Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. so proposed language changes amending the resolution can be more clearly presented for consideration.
Funds in the amount of $5,200 were approved for Kalida Equipment for a toolbox for truck #515 and $3,209 to MES for fire equipment and the sale/disposal of various items that are either no longer of value or considered obsolete or scrap. Monies in the amount of $38,964 were also approved to Millstone Management Group as the township is nearing completion of the fire station remodel. The board approved hiring of Nicholas Angie as a full-time firefighter effective Dec. 26, 2022, and welcomes him to the team. Angie is replacing firefighter James Hess who took a full-time position with Kirtland, which was the department he originally started working at as a firefighter.
The board also approved the hiring of Richard Ivans to part-time assistant zoning inspector effective Dec. 18. Once up to speed, Ivans, a 30-plus year resident of Chester, will handle the majority of field work and inspections under the direction of Mark Purchase.
The board also approved a proclamation for Charles Pona for his service on the Chester Board of Zoning Appeals.
Monies in the amount of $810 were approved for the Chesterland Rotary to cover the Winterfest expenses and the use of Parkside Park by the West Geauga Baseball Federation was also approved.
Patricia Jarrett provided an update on expenditures related to various paving projects, noting that Mr. Excavator has been paid $401,194.13 and Chagrin Valley Paving’s first payment of $629,555 was also made.
The 2023 temporary budget in the amount of $9,215,563.39 was unanimously approved, which enables the township to start spending appropriated funds with the beginning of the new fiscal year on Jan. 1, 2023.
Submitted by Ken Radtke Jr., Chester Township Trustee
