Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 29 began at 6:30 p.m. with the approval of the Dec. 16 minutes...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 29 began at 6:30 p.m. with the approval of the Dec. 16 minutes.
In road department business, the trustees approved expenditures of $9,585 to Kennington Electric Corp for the replacement of wiring and installation of LED lighting and GFI outlets at the road department, $1,206 for two tires for the dump truck from Kolsom Tires and $18,901 for road salt from Cargill Inc.
In fire department business, the board approved and signed the agreement between the township and the Chester Township Firefighters Association to extend the collective bargaining agreement for a period of 90 days to March 31 or until a successor collective bargaining agreement is reached. The board approved an after the fact payment of $5,010 to All American Fire Equipment for an 18-inch positive pressure ventilation fan and batteries.
In new business, Chester voted for Kristina O’Brien to serve on the Geauga Trumbull and Waste Policy Committee for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1. Payment of a second invoice for Whiting and Reserve Lane was made to Cornerstone Earthwork, LLC for $265,001.36. The board approved use of the town hall parking lot for a Girl Scouts cookie booth sales March 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 and April 2 and 3.
The year-end meeting closed with the trustees and Fiscal Officer Patricia Jarrett thanking Walter “Skip” Claypool for the service of his term to the township residents. With no further business for the year, the meeting adjourned.
The special meeting on Jan. 4 was the trustees’ organizational meeting. Ken Radtke was elected chairman and Joe Mazzurco was re-elected vice chair. Meetings will be held in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 121.22 (Ohio Open Meetings Act) and will start at 6:30 p.m. every other Thursday unless otherwise advertised.
The board authorized reimbursement for expenses and mileage, authorized heads of the departments to incur obligations of $1,000 or less on behalf of the township, authorized Jarrett to request advances of 2022 apportionment of estate and real estate tax in maximum amounts available for general, fire/EMS, road and bridges and police upon receipt of the schedule dates set by Geauga County Auditor and approved payment to the BZA and Zoning Commission members $25 for each meeting attended in 2021. Also approved were purchase orders and blanket certificates for the fire, road, police and general fund to open up 2022 regular business spending. Liaisons were assigned for fire, police, road, zoning, park, credit card compliance and drug enforcement.
The board entered into executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 121.22 (G) (1) to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of one or more public employees and 121.22 (G) (3) conferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. Upon re-entering public session, the board moved to sign the severance agreement between Chester Township and Chief John Wargelin as of Jan. 4, 2022.
Submitted by Joseph C. Mazzurco, Chester Township Trustee
