Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees regular meeting on Feb. 19 began with the opening of bids for landscaping maintenance for Parkside Park, town hall and fire department properties...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees regular meeting on Feb. 19 began with the opening of bids for landscaping maintenance for Parkside Park, town hall and fire department properties. The bids were forwarded to Township Administrator Mark Purchase for his review and recommendation.
Next up was an interesting presentation given by Kenny Leonardi, founder of Teaching Our Traditions (TOT). Leonardi spoke of TOT’s efforts to get youth involved outdoors with a focus on hunting and hunter safety and other hands-on skills such as sewing, gardening, cooking and fishing. By working with local businesses, TOT is also getting kids acquainted with various career options including the trades.
Diana Kresnye, of the Chester Grave Hunters, gave a presentation about the group’s work to recognize Justice and Mabel Miner and their role in the founding of Chester Township in 1801. Along with America 250, Chester Township will be celebrating its 225th anniversary this year. The potential for coordinating certain celebratory events in the community was generally discussed.
In road department business, an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for financial assistance to address a slip/bank instability on Heath Road south of Mulberry and north of Wilson Mills Road was approved. Several resolutions of convenience and necessity were passed, including one for a slope stabilization on Blackberry Lane and the other for sizing of various pipes on Cherry Lane. Passage of the resolutions legally allows the Geauga County Engineer to commit resources to perform design work and develop bid specifications for each project.
The trustees continue to update 2026 Chester Road Department budgets and five-year projections. It now costs approximately $350,000 per mile of pavement if no major repairs are required. The most recent road levy, passed in 2016 generates about $850,000 per year. The general fund has routinely contributed more than $500,000 annually to support the road department. Current levy funding is insufficient to maintain even a 25-year paving cycle. Further discussions at the next budget planning meeting will include an evaluation of various levy rates for consideration by the voters this fall.
The board accepted the resignation of police officer Thomas Sindelar who has taken a role with the Geauga County Courts. Chief Young and Captain Sherwood are in the process of evaluating candidates to replace Sindelar.
Use of the town hall and parking lot was approved for the Perennial Gardeners, including their May 9 plant sale which is always a very popular event.
Trustee Brandon Davis has been working closely with the West Geauga School System to coordinate a July 3 fireworks event at West Geauga High School, preceded by a car show at a location to be determined. Those interested in volunteering or supporting the effort may reach out to Davis at bdavis@chestertwp.org
The board is also searching for a speaker for the township’s Memorial Day ceremony. Veterans or anyone who knows someone with an interesting story about their own or a loved one’s military service are encouraged to call Town Hall at 440-729-7058.
The Feb. 25 special trustees meeting began with the swearing in of Timothy Staley Jr. as a new police officer with Chief Young providing some background. Police officers, friends and family of Staley were present for the oath of office. The board welcomes Staley and thank him for his future service to township residents.
The special meeting continued with the trustees and department heads continuing their public review and discussion of 2026 budgets which are due at the Geauga County Budget Commission by April 1. Several issues, including staffing, vehicle replacement schedules, increasing paving costs, funding sources and projected five-year expenses, were part of the discussion. Trustee Craig Richter will update the departmental and general fund budgets for final decisions in the near future. The township’s budget is due at the county budget commission by April 1.
In a second special meeting Feb. 25, and for the first time in more than four years, the Chester Park Board met with the Chester Township Board of Trustees. During the meeting, the park board presented a list of projects ranging from tree plantings to bathroom upgrades and enclosing the pavilion near the volleyball courts. The estimated cost for the projects ranged from about $210,000 to $248,000, with the park board requesting $75,000 from the township. No action was taken by the trustees. The request will be reviewed and discussed at an upcoming public trustee meeting.
Regarding its budget, the park board receives about $4,500 per year from the local government fund in revenue, while administrative overhead costs for operating the board are about $10,000 annually. Discussions with the park board also included the number of monthly financial transactions and the possibility of forming a park committee as a method to reduce overhead expenses.
Park board meetings are open to the public and are held on the third and/or fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings take place at the CG Accounting offices, 7840 Mayfield Road, Chester Township.
The park board meetings are open to the public with meetings held on the third and/or fourth Wednesday of each month commencing at 7 p.m. The location is the CG Accounting Offices, 7840 Mayfield Road in Chester Township.
Submitted by Ken Radtke Jr., Chester Township Trustee
