Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 24 began with an executive session to discuss employee matters with Fire Chief Bill Shaw and Road Superintendent John Onyshko...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 24 began with an executive session to discuss employee matters with Fire Chief Bill Shaw and Road Superintendent John Onyshko.
Upon returning to public session, a conversation was had involving residents; representative Don Rice from the Metzenbaum Center, Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities; the Geauga County Board of Mental Health; Joy Black, of Emerald Rose, which is leasing one of the homes for developmentally disabled clients from the county commissioners who own the property; and the trustees. Commissioner Jim Dvorak was also present and briefly spoke.
The purpose of the meeting was to better understand the current and potential future uses for the property. Some residents questioned the use of the property versus what the deed restrictions defined and whether zoning regulations are met. Rice commented that the founding organization no longer exists. The Cleveland Foundation manages the money and they have no interest in managing the properties. Rice added that attorneys are working through some of the issues.
Finding uses for the property to receive income to offset the cost of building maintenance is a goal Rice has been working on. He also explained that federal law has changed how clients needing mental health and disability services has changed over the years with an emphasis on getting clients out into the community rather than being housed in a large group facility. He encouraged people to attend their board of directors meetings, with the dates and times published on their website at geaugadd.org.
In road department business, trustees welcomed back mechanic Steve Voigt who was re-hired at an hourly rate of $36.72. The board also hired Frank Artino as a full-time road worker 1 at $23.42 per hour. Onyshko expressed some concerns over the quality of repairs that were outsourced to Cerni Motors and he will provide a summary report of issues.
Replacement batteries in the amount of $2,259.36 were approved for the police department’s hand-held radios and an after the fact motion was approved for the police assistance at the Aug. 19 Chesterland Historical Foundation flea market.
A public hearing was set for zoning amendment Z-2023-1 for Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. Details regarding this proposed amendment concerning supplemental associated with variances can be found at chestertwp.com under Zoning.
Mindy Denamen was approved as an alternate to the Chester Township Board of Appeals and the board is thankful for her interest in serving the community.
The board as required by the Geauga County Budget Commission formally approved tax levies and certified them to the Geauga County Auditor for the 2023 tax year which is collected in 2024.
Submitted by Ken Radtke Jr., Chester Township Trustee
