Chester Government Update
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 8 began with the approval of minutes and acceptance of a final adjusted contract price...
The Chester Township Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 8 began with the approval of minutes and acceptance of a final adjusted contract price for asphalt resurfacing from Ronyak in the amount of $577,591.40, which is $20,997.65 less than the accepted contract bid. The final price is based on work performed and verified by the Geauga County Engineer.
The board received two applications for the open position on the Chester Township Zoning Committee. By majority vote, Cathy Cotman was appointed to the zoning commission effective Jan. 1, 2017. The board thanks Margaret Muehling for her many years of dedicated work on the zoning commission.
The township’s gasoline and diesel fuel pump systems are more than 20 years old and have been intermittently breaking down. With the winter season upon us, system reliability is important and $10,052 for the replacement was approved.
A resolution of convenience and necessity for the planned resurfacing of roads in Chester Township in 2017 was passed. The formal action is required for the Geauga County Engineer, so it can prepare the necessary bid specifications.
The board moved to re-advertise for the open position on the Chester Township Board of Zoning Appeals. No applications were received before the advertised deadline. Individuals interested can drop off or mail, 12701 Chillicothe Road, an application by Dec. 22 at 4 p.m.
A client service agreement with Medicount Management, Inc. (MMI) was approved. MMI has been managing EMS billing services for the township for a number of years and has collected approximately $200,000 per year on behalf of the township.
The sale of the 1989 Sutphen fire engine in the amount of $8,000 to Benton Township, Ohio, was approved. By advertising on Firetec.com, the township received approximately $5,000 more than its efforts through govdeals.com. The board thanks Chief Wargelin and Trustee Kinney for their efforts to get a higher price for this specialized vehicle.
Trustee Radtke presented some information from his meeting with County IT Director Steve Decatur on the township’s internet service and phone system. Running the phone system through the county has the potential of saving more than $1,000 per month. Radtke also presented a brief summary of his discussions with Nick Gorris, of the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, regarding a resolution authorizing the county engineer to manage drive pipe and ditch enclosures and oversee installation on county roads within Chester. The county engineer would also provide engineering, design and permitting for ditch enclosures on township roads, but the township would retain the oversight responsibility for drive pipe and ditch enclosure installation on township roads. No action was taken.
Vision and dental coverage rates between the current provider, Burnham & Flowers, and the medical insurance provider, OPEC-HC, were discussed. Savings could be recognized with a higher deductible plan through OPEC-HC with an additional advantage of them managing the township’s COBRA coverage for employees who separate from township employment.
The board continued its public review and comment on the employee policy and procedures manual and this process is continuing.
Respectfully submitted by Chester Township Trustee Ken Radtke Jr.
