Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on April 7 began at 6 p.m. with several presentations...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on April 7 began at 6 p.m. with several presentations. Don Rice provided details of services offered and information about the Metzenbaum Center; Anthony Nastasi gave an update of the activities being considered by the Chester Township Zoning Commission; and Barry Leven asked for consideration and 25 percent support for installation of pickle ball courts at Parkside Park, with the remaining 75 percent received from grant money. The board passed a motion supporting the application for the grant. The final presentation was from George Zender asking for permission to add signs for veterans at the Chester Township cemetery.
The board then entered into executive session to have a discussion with legal counsel regarding pending legal actions, with attorney Greg Beck participating by phone. Trustees took no action upon re-entering public session.
After approving prior meeting minutes, the chairperson asked for public comments. Public discussions were about the possible addition of a township administrator. The public appeared to be split regarding the role, although everyone agreed and supported one candidate, Mark Purchase.
The main reason people were not in support of the role was the additional expense to the township. However, if the township administrator roll is approved, costs will be about the same for pre-Covid town hall administrative staff. Instead of three full-time employees, there would now be two full-time and two part-time employees, saving on health care costs on the two part-timers.
After public comments, the board moved to road department business. With the continued struggle to find seasonal employees, trustees approved re-advertising and also approved the promotion of Sean Peck and the rehiring of dedicated seasonal road worker, Gary Huston. Trustees also approved purchase orders for various equipment needed to build out previously approved trucks purchases.
With no fire department business, the board moved to the police department where a purchase order was approved to Clemans-Nelson for assistance with the on-going police union negotiations.
Trustees then approved and signed two grants with Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste District. The first will provide $15,000 to start repairs at the Chester Recycle Park driveways and the second for $3,500 will help offset costs associated with the fall cleanup days.
After the approval of financial items, Fiscal Officer Patricia Jarrett provided an update. Because of ongoing supply chain issues, the township continues to wait for new vehicles in all departments. Construction is ready to begin on the fire department remodel and the Ohio State Auditor is expected to begin the 2020 and 2021 audit.
The meeting ended with an executive session. Upon re-entering public session, motions to approve the detailed job description for the township administrator and to approve the hiring of Mark Purchase as Chester Township administrator were passed. Trustees believe that the new roll will help in achieving the elected officials’ goals and bring continuity to the township departments while not increasing costs.
Trustees also met in a special meeting on April 13 to discuss and approve a new employee speech policy.
Submitted by Craig S. Richter, Chester Township Trustee
