Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on June 1 began with Mara McClain, of Sedgewick, presenting a summary of the township’s Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) rates, history and rebates...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on June 1 began with Mara McClain, of Sedgewick, presenting a summary of the township’s Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) rates, history and rebates. Sedgewick is the third party administrator assisting the township with managing its BWC claims. If Chester continues with good safety performance, its rates are expected to continue to decline in the coming years. The board approved a motion to continue participation in the Group Retro BWC program.
James Valvoda and Austin Giroski were sworn in as full-time fire-fighter/paramedics for Chester Township and Bryan Hann also joined the department as a part-time firefighter/paramedic. The board is grateful the gentlemen have joined the Chester Fire Rescue team and welcomes them to the township.
The board approved an agreement with the Cleveland Illuminating Company to begin replacing streetlights as they fail with energy efficient LED lighting that will also result in a cost-savings over time.
Repairs to the Chester Road Department asphalt roller were approved as well as monies in the amount of $4,055 for auger attachments for the bobcat to reduce safety hazards associated with employee’s auger holes.
Use of the town hall parking lot by the West Geauga junior varsity and varsity cheerleading squad on June 11 and 24, July 15 and 29 and Aug. 12 was approved as well as a social security seminar by UBS on July 25.
Chester Park Board Chairman Al Parker shared that the park board received a $5,000 grant from the Cleveland Guardians to be put toward new bleachers with safety rails. A $3,500 grant was received from the Go Green Program to purchase eight picnic tables made of recycled materials. The board approved $4,700 for the picnic tables and $2,944 for the bleachers to complete both projects.
The demolition of the Henry House through a grant by Ohio Department of Development was completed. Township Administrator Mark Purchase will get some quotes to side the remaining garage, which is a solid structure used for storage.
There was brief discussion of special event zoning under township authority, limited home rule regulations and converting online forms to a format that users can electronically populate.
The gasoline fuel pump at the Chester Road Department continues to cause issues and the use of Wex cards to purchase gas at public stations as a backup was discussed. The police department is currently the Wex card system, which also enables the Chief Craig Young to track fuel usage by car.
A public hearing was set for 6:30 p.m. July 11 for the township’s 2024 temporary appropriations budget.
Bids for the pickleball courts were discussed with the complete project cost ranging from $202,700 to $354,000. No decisions were made and the review will continue.
The board entered an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss employee matters and upon returning to public session, after approval of the auger expense, the meeting was closed.
Submitted by Ken Radtke Jr., Chester Township Trustee
