Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on July 27 began at 6:01 p.m. with Chris Wincek, president of the West Geauga Rotary Club, indicating the club was looking to do a fundraiser, which would include selling bricks that are located around the gazebo and allowing them to be engraved with residents’ names...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on July 27 began at 6:01 p.m. with Chris Wincek, president of the West Geauga Rotary Club, indicating the club was looking to do a fundraiser, which would include selling bricks that are located around the gazebo and allowing them to be engraved with residents’ names. The cost of the bricks was to be determined. The Rotary Club asked to promote the bricks on Unity Day, which was held Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the West Geauga High School.
In the road department and based on the recommendation of the Road Superintendent John Onyshko, trustees approved the promotion of Justin Salo to full-time road worker 1 at the rate of $23.42 per hour starting July 30, 2023. The board also approved a purchase order for Cleveland Plumbing in the amount of $10,000 for pipe work.
Moving on to fire business, trustees approved an after-the-fact medical leave of absence for part-time paramedic/firefighter Nick Sanvido beginning July 24, 2023, and ending Oct. 24. Also, the board approved the purchase of two HP desktop computers in the amount of $2,530 from MNJ Technologies. The purchase is to replace outdated computers that do not meet county ADP requirements.
In police business, it was approved to auction through GovDeals a 2011 Chevy Equinox that was awarded via forfeiture to the Chester Township Police Department by the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. Money raised from the auction will be credited accordingly to the Chester Police Department by the Chester Township Fiscal Officer Patricia Jarrett.
In new business, trustees approved the purchase of the following for the police department: 18 ballistic helmets at $5,929.20 and 18 sets of rifles rated body armor at $12,758.40 from HighCom Armor as well as 18 medical kits at $1,408.25 for active shooter response kits. The police department received $13,000 from Blue Line Unlimited that will be applied to the cost and the balance should be reimbursed through a grant from the state of Ohio.
Consideration for three separate declarations of necessity regarding three proposed levies was discussed next. A new police levy at a rate of 1.50 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $53 dollars for each $100,000 on the Geauga County Auditor’s appraised value. Then a renewal fire levy at a rate of 2.75 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $87 for each $100,000 on the county auditor’s appraised value, that was first voted upon in 2019. Finally, another renewal fire levy at a rate of 1.8 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $37 for each $100,000 on the county auditor’s appraised value, first voted upon in 1999. All three levies will be placed on the ballot for the election on Nov. 7 as continuing.
Regarding the Chester Township Park, trustees moved to approve and utilize $4,350 of available American Rescue Plan money for drainage work in the Parkside Park parking lot. There is currently a water issue with backed-up drains near the walkway at Parkside Park.
The board went into an executive session at 7:20 p.m. pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 121.22 (G) (1) to consider the appointment, employment, discipline or compensation of a public employee. Upon returning to public session, no action was taken and the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Submitted by Joseph C. Mazzurco, Chester Township Trustee
