Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on March 10 began with a brief update by Anthony Peto, of the Chester Township Zoning Commission...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on March 10 began with a brief update by Anthony Peto, of the Chester Township Zoning Commission, regarding amendments to the zoning resolution. The zoning commission is currently reviewing and drafting proposed language regarding permissible accessory building size. Peto said a representative of the zoning commission will continue to attend trustee meetings on a monthly basis to provide updates.
A resident expressed concern over a proposed Ohio House Bill 563 that prohibits local municipalities from restricting short-term rental properties in residential neighborhoods and encouraged the trustees to respond in opposition to the bill.
Next was the opening of bids for various materials used by the Chester Road Department, including stone, asphalt and rock. The bids were forwarded to Road Superintendent John Onyshko for review and recommendation.
Resident Ken Mantey provided the trustees with two proposed projects for the Chester Recycle Park: bins for glass only recycling and applying for a grant for a shed for cardboard reuse/recycling. Repeat Glass would stage bins at the park for glass only at no cost to the township. The pilot project is supported by Jennifer Jones, of the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District. On behalf of the township, Trustee Mazzurco has also applied for a $15,000 grant to improve the road surface at the recycle park and $3,500 for the fall Chester Community Cleanup Day.
Onyshko provided a summary and recommendation of updates to Chester Township’s cemetery policy and pricing to reflect increased costs, including weekend interments. A motion was approved by the board to incorporate the changes.
A motion to approve the hiring of William Fiala as a part-time firefighter/EMT-paramedic was approved; the trustees welcome Mr. Fiala to Chester Township. In other fire business, $4,300 was approved for Warren Fire Equipment for purchasing firefighter boots, helmets and gloves, and $3,800 was approved to Truck MD for repair of a police department vehicle transmission.
The agreement between the International Association of Firefighters Local 5331 and Chester Township was also approved. It is the very first contract for the township’s full-time firefighters, and the board appreciates the time and effort they took to help create the agreement. Trustees also had brief discussions about upcoming fire levy renewals.
A motion was approved for the West Geauga girls volleyball fundraiser car wash on June 18 and July 16 at Chester Town Hall parking lot and for the Chesterland flag football teams to use the old Chester School site fields for practice.
The board continued discussion about the 2022 permanent appropriations for the general fund, use of American Rescue Plan monies and the Memorial Day ceremony.
At the end of the meeting, the board entered executive session and upon return, appointed Margaret Muehling as Chester Board of Zoning Appeals alternate and approved the promotion of Captain Craig Young to police chief effective upon the retirement of Chief Mark Purchase in the coming months.
The trustees thank Mrs. Muehling for her many years of service on the zoning commission and congratulate Captain Young on his promotion and look forward to him meeting more township residents in his expanded responsibilities.
Submitted by Ken Radtke Jr., Chester Township Trustee
