Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees held a special public meeting with department heads, their administrative assistants and the fiscal office on the morning of April 18...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees held a special public meeting with department heads, their administrative assistants and the fiscal office on the morning of April 18. There was discussion about budgets, financial tracking and how best to communicate between departments and the fiscal office to ensure efficient and accurate reporting and timely expense tracking.
The April 18 regular meeting began at 6 p.m. with the swearing-in of a new police officer, Richard Myers, and trustees welcomed Myers to the team. Additionally, Chief Craig Young informed trustees that Chester Police Officers Anthony Insana and Steven Ettinger were selected as the Law Enforcement Officers of the Year through the Geauga County Bar Association. The board is grateful for the efforts and sacrifices the township police officers make every day.
Mara McClain, of Sedgwick, the township’s third party administrator under the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation program, explained options available for BWC insurance. With Chester’s improving workplace safety, the township has the option of remaining in the pooled group retro program that is shared risk or switching to the conventional group rating program, which may have some recognized cost benefits, but different levels of risk. More discussion will follow in upcoming meetings.
A public hearing to permit the use of electronic signs was conducted. There were no public comments received, and the trustees approved the Z-2024-2 as recommended by the Chester Zoning Commission and the Geauga County Planning Commission.
Next, Jim Ptacek, of Larsen Architects, provided some preliminary drawings of the proposed roof replacement project for the southern garage of the Chester Road Department. A specification will be developed and sent out for public bid.
With the addition of electronic signage to the zoning resolution, the trustees approved $32,931 to Daktronics for an outdoor dual-screen electronic message center for the town hall monument sign and $3,500 to Electolite for the installation. Township Administrator Mark Purchase had been researching options for several months, and this product, with a five-year warranty and functionality, was deemed the best option.
There was a motion to accept the bid from Karvo Companies for the asphalt resurfacing of County Line and Old Mill roads. The project cost is estimated at $1,275,000 of which $736,000 is Chester Township’s responsibility. It is a joint project with the Village of Gates Mills, so expenses will be shared. In addition, the township has received $250,000 in grant funding and a loan amount of up to $150,000, depending on the final cost of the project, in Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding to support the project.
In fire department business, the board approved the hiring of part-time firefighter/paramedic Donovan Ferguson and $7,393 to Lexipol for an annual subscription for department policies.
A resolution was passed confirming Chester Township’s support for the American-250-Ohio program celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The board also recognized Isabel Gracon as the recipient of the Girl Scouts Gold Award.
The township received a Lifepak 15 Heart Monitor/Defibrillator from the Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital and trustees appreciate the generous donation.
A motion to approve the installation of irrigation systems by Innovative Companies for $5,325 was approved for the Parkside Park corner of state Route 306 and U.S. Route 322 and the gazebo. The area is currently undergoing renovation in coordination with the Perennial Gardeners.
After a brief executive session, the board met in public session and approved a $300 bonus to zoning/BZA administrative assistant Kathleen McCarthy for her valued help in onboarding and training Kimberly Bican, the new township board of trustees administrative assistant. Trustees welcome Bican to the township and are excited to have her join.
Submitted by Ken Radtke Jr., Chester Township Trustee
