Chester Government Update
The Aug. 31 special meeting of the Chester Township Board of Trustees began with brief conversation about House Bill 140 and the 2024 township budgets...
The Aug. 31 special meeting of the Chester Township Board of Trustees began with brief conversation about House Bill 140 and the 2024 township budgets. The bill prescribes how levies are placed on the ballot, required language and guidance on what elected officials may or may not do or say pertaining to ballot issues, including levies.
Chairman Craig Richter summarized comments received from the Geauga County Budget Commission meeting on Aug. 21, where the township’s 2024 temporary appropriations were approved. Geauga County Auditor Charles Walder commented that the general fund and fire funds are OK, but the road and police funds are in desperate need of funds of which the trustees are aware. Walder commented that although Chester is the second largest township in the county, on a per capita basis for levy dollars, it is fifth or sixth, meaning its cheap to live in Chesterland.
The board and department heads recognize the need for and importance of stabilizing funding for the departments to help with better long-term planning and to meet community level of service expectations. Richter commented that an article in the Geauga Maple Leaf discussed the excess funds or carryover in the county budget and discussed potentially asking for a reallocation of inside millage back to townships.
At the end of the meeting, trustees entered executive session and upon return accepted the resignation of Nick Iacampo effective Aug. 28, 2023.
Next, there was general discussion about township buildings and developing long-range plans for managing these assets. The Chester Road Department garage is in very poor condition for housing the dump trucks. Preliminary cost estimates for a building replacement are being developed.
There was preliminary discussion by the board to consider the property and future of Fire Station No. 2 on Chillicothe Road. The property is currently zoned as a residential parcel and includes two structures, one of which is a house. Trustees will wait to learn additional information regarding similar values and comparables of local industrial parcels before any action is considered. The board is in general agreement that the parcel and structures should be sold, regardless of any potential decisions to rezone.
Submitted by Ken Radtke Jr., Chester Township Trustee
