The next order of business was the letters of interest for reappointment to the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).
Zoning Commission terms expire at the end of this year. BZA terms expire in February. The only applicants, letters to have been postmarked by December 5, were the incumbents: Lynn Harvey, Zoning Commission member, and Dave Pollard, one of two Zoning Commission alternates; and Bob Stehli, BZA member, and Sandy Engelhart, BZA alternate. Lynn and Bob are currently chairs of their respective boards.
Jason: I feel comfortable with the BZA members, Bob Stehli and Sandy Engelhart.
Jason made the motion to reappoint Bob Stehli to the BZA as a full term appointment. Vic seconded. Unanimous.
Jason: Made a motion to reappoint Sandy Engelhart to the BZA as an alternate. Vic seconded. Unanimous.
Jason, in regard to the Zoning Commission: I would like to talk about this in executive session.
Continuing: At the last meeting there had been discussion about risk insurance with the addition of an alcohol policy. Vic, you were going to follow up, and John Festa, you had some things also.
Vic: I talked to Travis. The paperwork that John Festa had given us had a minimum of $500,000 coverage and that we need to verify that the renter had a host coverage for $1,000,000. At the first of the year we should have something. Vic asked John Festa about the host liability of $1,000,000.
John Festa: No. He did not copy me on e-mails.
Vic: He wants me to fax him something.
John Festa: I talked with a couple of insurance agents who said that if the renter does not have it, they have to get it.
Vic: There was nothing about it on the copy you had given me.
Jason: Leave it and discuss it further.
The next topic was Internet for the school building.
John Festa: Due to circumstances of the last couple of weeks, I have not had a chance to work on this but will have it by the next meeting.
Township Hall, Vic: I have only one quote on the outside. Ronnie Stamm is working on it. When we do our budget, we have to work on it. Also, they are working on the shutters and I have to take the two new ones down [to Coon Sealants and Restoration]. They did a real nice job on them. [Coon has been working on the shutters that were removed.]
[Blogger: I did not make a note about who said what follows. Or what follows may be a summary of what was said on the topic, and therefore without note as to speaker.]
At the last meeting we talked about East Pioneer Trail and the erosion issue. John Festa had a report or something on it from Chagrin River Watershed Partners summarizing what the CRWP person saw compared with what the road crew had seen. She gave some recommendations.
Jason asked what the recommendations were.
John Festa: Revegetate the hillside and do the same with the ditching there. The road crew had given some suggestions about enclosing part of the ditch with a pipe and installing a catch basin. I think we should take the recommendations and act on them in the spring.
No one had any further old business.
Public Comment:
Mark Hall, Loris Drive: Mark had a question on East Pioneer Trail--what precipitated that? It had been fine for years and years and suddenly it eroded.
Jason: I think that began before I was a trustee. I talked with Brian Tayerle and the man who did ditching before--too much of the ditch had been taken out. It is a rocky surface now, without much vegetation there.
Vic: I have looked at it. It looked as if it has been recently ditched, and it has been undermined. It was cut out and then fell. I think it has been lined with rock before. Maybe there is a spring there. [Vic also explained that if the banks of a ditch are sloped, then vegetation can grow on them and hold the soil. If the banks are cut straight up and down, nothing can grow on them and they can wash out.]
Steve Zielinski: Wished everyone a merry Christmas.
There was a motion to pay the bills, and the camera and almost everyone else left, including your faithful blogger. However, I have a recording of the very brief transactions that followed the executive session. They follow.
Jason made a motion to reconvene, seconded by John Festa. Unanimous.
Jason: I would like to make a motion to appoint Lynn Harvey to the Zoning Commission for a full term. Vic seconded. Unanimous.
Jason: I make a motion that for 2014 that we move forward with only one alternate position on the Zoning Commission. [There was a long silence after that.] John Festa seconded.
Vote: John Festa, yes; Jason, yes.
Vic: No. I still believe that we should have two alternates.
Jason: Any additional business? [There was none.]
Jason: Motion to adjourn. John Festa seconded. [Blogger: I heard Jason and John Festa vote yes. I did not hear how Vic voted on that.]
Friday, December 27, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Mantua Twp. Trustees 12-19-13
When the minutes were reviewed, Vic asked for the phrase "until now" to be removed. The issue was not alcohol--it was that the renter did not clean up. [Note: This goes back to the rental at the end of October.]
During the fiscal officer's report, Marie stated that there had been no reply from Mr. Bogden regarding the above event and gave each trustee a copy of the letter to be signed; a copy will also go to Chris Meduri. So the trustees finally had to sign this, instead of just palming it off onto Marie.
For the details of the financial standing, please refer to the official minutes, which will be posted after the first meeting in January.
The cash balance is $574,023.55, indicating that the cash balance has not been further spent down.
Letters of interest from the incumbents on the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals regarding their reappointment had been received for action at this meeting.
Marie initiated discussion about a temporary budget [customary at this time of year, I believe] and getting an administrative assistant for John Dickey. Before that, she asked that $40.82 be moved from insurance to the trash account in order to pay the annual bill for the dumpster that the township shares with the church. It was higher this year (a little) than anticipated.
Jason made a motion to pass the temporary budget with the increase of $600 for an administrative assistant.
Vic seconded; unanimous.
Marie announced that there will be an outside auditor again, which will be bid by the state.
Club and Committee Reports: Nothing from the LCA.
Garden Club: Sue Skrovan reported that the group had met for its annual Christmas Dinner the night before at Jake's, attended by 8 people. Officers were elected and will be installed in January: Wendolyn Taylor is president elect. The secretary's and treasurer's positions have been combined and Martha Levine elected. The club will do more advertising of its programs for the next year.
[That report was accepted without further comment, despite the Christmas tree and other decorations in the hall, and despite the lighting in the "bullpen" at the flagpole.]
Jason asked if the "Mantua Center Revitalization" had a report. Mark Hall corrected him with the acronym, MaRSI, that we use, and stated that there was no report at this time. [Blogger: Given the number of reports and activities and the substantial contributions that The Mantua Restoration Society, Inc., has made to the township, your blogger finds this error of Jason's rather . . . interesting, to use the most neutral word.]
Jason introduced an agreement with Portage County Solid Waste which the trustees signed, following a proper motion to do so. There was an inquiry about the tire amnesty grant, which we support that again this year.
Insurance: There was discussion about the $250 deductible and maximum of $1200 out of pocket, an 80-20 plan up to the maximum out of poscket.
Vic: This is pretty much what we discussed for a couple of meetings and it is probably what we should get.
Jason said he had talked with the road crew; the current plan is not going to change. What will change is the amount coming out of our internal funding plan. Jason had also talked with Brian Savage about how to do this. The trustees will send a resolution to the company and they will work with Marie for the money. Brian will also come to a future meeting.
Jason made a motion effective January 1, 2014, to adopt an 80-20 funding plan at a maximum out of pocket cost of $1200 for anyone insured under the Mantua Township health plan. Vic seconded. Passed.
Jason continued: At the last meeting we spoke about some zoning issues that Chris Meduri mentioned as well as our resolution that Franklin Township is usihng for us to have a template for taking action after the 10-day letter from Chris Meduri has passed.
The sequence:
1. John Dickey issues a letter of violation. [Such letters must list the sections of the zoning code being violated.]
2. There is a period of 30 days to comply.
3. If no action or agreement, John Dickey notifies Chris Meduri.
4. Chris Meduri then sends a letter to the violator. The period to comply is 10 days from the receipt of the letter. [Blogger: I believe it is 10 days from receipt.]
5. If no compliance, John Dickey asks the trustees to make a resolution authorizing Chris Meduri to move forward with legal action.
[Blogger: The letter of violation must contain the items being violated.]
John Festa: I kind of think we should move forward on the resolution to assist the zoning inspector. There is a specific resolution at issue. This is about the property owned by Gary Carlton [frontage on both SR 44 and SR 82]. He is considered to be in violation of our zoning laws. Although I do not believe that he acted in malice. I would like to move forward with the resolution and move it down the legal ladder.
Jason: Because of the relationship, I am going to put myself outside of this and let John Festa and Vic Grimm read this and move forward.
Marie read the (lengthy) resolution aloud. The zoning section is 410.02. The issue is about Gary Carlton's storage of mulch. The text should be on the township website after the next meeting.
John Festa made a motion to adopt the resolution; Vic seconded; Jason abstained; John Festa, yes; Vic, yes.
Jason brought up the costs associated with the Winter Conference of the Ohio Township Association, which the township has always picked up. The motion to approve that was seconded and passed.
Marie mentioned a local government officials' conference in March, which she would like to go to, except that it falls on March 5 and 6. She asked if the meeting date could be changed. There was discussion about changing the date to March 7 or having a replacement to take the minutes. That decision was deferred until January.
Old Business:
Jason: At the last Fire Board meeting, the chief wanted to make the township aware that they may be closing SR 44 at the bridge during the winter. We may be moving a satellite station to the east [?] to cover the township. They are working on a plan now.
There was some discussion about how long the bridge would be closed. The target is about 45 days, but it could end up being double that, based on the experience with the one in Hiram on SR 82.
John Festa: Inventory. Vic has gone through it and made some deletions and adjustments. He will put a copy in John Festa's mailbox at the school building. John Festa reminded the board that the OCR, 505.04, specifies the annual inventory. The fiscal officer and the county engineer both receive copies.
Marie: I am not sure I ever got a clean copy of last year's. [There was an inconclusive response to that.]
New Business: Vic: I talked to a couple of people who sent me formulas [about the heaters for the garage.] The two heaters there now are 125,000 Btu, larger than what is needed for a double bay. Because of the garage and the fumes, the recommendations are a separate heat chamber unit. Everything today has electronic spark and a venter. They are recommending a separate combustion chamber unit to draw air in from outside. One of the companies gave me dimensions. The new heater would be a little smaller. They are recommending two 100,000 Btu units. The present ones may be 50% efficient; the new ones are reated at about 80%.
I mentioned to Brian Tayerle about a small unit in the south bay. The recommendation is that the best solution might be a couple of electric heaters. That way the bay could be heated if they need it to be.
Jason asked about knocking out a block or two and using a fan.
Vic: The small heaters need to be wired. I talked to Roger Hammel to see if he would be interested in installing them. He said he would. The prices I have right now are only good until the end of the year. There will be a 3%-5% increase after January 1.
The heating unit is $1250 for just the unit. There will be freight at $120. We will need a thermostat, vent cap, and vent cut [?] and piping. This brings it to about $1700 per unit. This is for unit(s) that draw outside air.
Roger Hammel's estimate was $750 to install. That is for 8 hours at $85.00 per hour. But he will charge us for the hours he puts in [blogger: less if it takes less time.]
Electric heaters have outrageous freight charges.
The total estimate for it all is about $5800. The road crew will need to help on this. Using a unit that does not pull in outside air would be about $1,000 less.
Jason: The one that draws the outside air--will that decrease the efficiency because it draws colder air?
Vic: If you put in the inside air one, they want you to put in a vent.
Vic had priced a couple of different places. He had asked about special government pricing.
John Festa: Do you think we need to do the electric heater?
Vic: It would probably be good.
Jason: What about just replacing the one that needs to be replaced?
Vic: They are both the same age, and in the long run it would be better. They are both about 40 years old. The odds of both going down at the same time are small.
Marie: We have $6,000 in Road and Bridge and Improvement of Sites.
Jason: We definitely need something, and I think we should move forward.
Vic: It will take 5-14 days. We are buying from R. G. Davis. [There was some discussion about the relationship with Roger Hammel and work with the township in the past.
Vic reviewed the places he had called in this process and stated that an electrician would be needed to hook up the electric heater.
Vic made the motion to purchase two Resinor heators and one electric heater and supplies for installation, Roger Hammel to install and not to exceed $5800. Marie asked for a second.
John Festa: I didn't have time to look it over. [But he finally seconded the motion.]
[Blogger: This is a logical place to stop. It's 3/4 of the meeting, and Christmas is coming.]
During the fiscal officer's report, Marie stated that there had been no reply from Mr. Bogden regarding the above event and gave each trustee a copy of the letter to be signed; a copy will also go to Chris Meduri. So the trustees finally had to sign this, instead of just palming it off onto Marie.
For the details of the financial standing, please refer to the official minutes, which will be posted after the first meeting in January.
The cash balance is $574,023.55, indicating that the cash balance has not been further spent down.
Letters of interest from the incumbents on the Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals regarding their reappointment had been received for action at this meeting.
Marie initiated discussion about a temporary budget [customary at this time of year, I believe] and getting an administrative assistant for John Dickey. Before that, she asked that $40.82 be moved from insurance to the trash account in order to pay the annual bill for the dumpster that the township shares with the church. It was higher this year (a little) than anticipated.
Jason made a motion to pass the temporary budget with the increase of $600 for an administrative assistant.
Vic seconded; unanimous.
Marie announced that there will be an outside auditor again, which will be bid by the state.
Club and Committee Reports: Nothing from the LCA.
Garden Club: Sue Skrovan reported that the group had met for its annual Christmas Dinner the night before at Jake's, attended by 8 people. Officers were elected and will be installed in January: Wendolyn Taylor is president elect. The secretary's and treasurer's positions have been combined and Martha Levine elected. The club will do more advertising of its programs for the next year.
[That report was accepted without further comment, despite the Christmas tree and other decorations in the hall, and despite the lighting in the "bullpen" at the flagpole.]
Jason asked if the "Mantua Center Revitalization" had a report. Mark Hall corrected him with the acronym, MaRSI, that we use, and stated that there was no report at this time. [Blogger: Given the number of reports and activities and the substantial contributions that The Mantua Restoration Society, Inc., has made to the township, your blogger finds this error of Jason's rather . . . interesting, to use the most neutral word.]
Jason introduced an agreement with Portage County Solid Waste which the trustees signed, following a proper motion to do so. There was an inquiry about the tire amnesty grant, which we support that again this year.
Insurance: There was discussion about the $250 deductible and maximum of $1200 out of pocket, an 80-20 plan up to the maximum out of poscket.
Vic: This is pretty much what we discussed for a couple of meetings and it is probably what we should get.
Jason said he had talked with the road crew; the current plan is not going to change. What will change is the amount coming out of our internal funding plan. Jason had also talked with Brian Savage about how to do this. The trustees will send a resolution to the company and they will work with Marie for the money. Brian will also come to a future meeting.
Jason made a motion effective January 1, 2014, to adopt an 80-20 funding plan at a maximum out of pocket cost of $1200 for anyone insured under the Mantua Township health plan. Vic seconded. Passed.
Jason continued: At the last meeting we spoke about some zoning issues that Chris Meduri mentioned as well as our resolution that Franklin Township is usihng for us to have a template for taking action after the 10-day letter from Chris Meduri has passed.
The sequence:
1. John Dickey issues a letter of violation. [Such letters must list the sections of the zoning code being violated.]
2. There is a period of 30 days to comply.
3. If no action or agreement, John Dickey notifies Chris Meduri.
4. Chris Meduri then sends a letter to the violator. The period to comply is 10 days from the receipt of the letter. [Blogger: I believe it is 10 days from receipt.]
5. If no compliance, John Dickey asks the trustees to make a resolution authorizing Chris Meduri to move forward with legal action.
[Blogger: The letter of violation must contain the items being violated.]
John Festa: I kind of think we should move forward on the resolution to assist the zoning inspector. There is a specific resolution at issue. This is about the property owned by Gary Carlton [frontage on both SR 44 and SR 82]. He is considered to be in violation of our zoning laws. Although I do not believe that he acted in malice. I would like to move forward with the resolution and move it down the legal ladder.
Jason: Because of the relationship, I am going to put myself outside of this and let John Festa and Vic Grimm read this and move forward.
Marie read the (lengthy) resolution aloud. The zoning section is 410.02. The issue is about Gary Carlton's storage of mulch. The text should be on the township website after the next meeting.
John Festa made a motion to adopt the resolution; Vic seconded; Jason abstained; John Festa, yes; Vic, yes.
Jason brought up the costs associated with the Winter Conference of the Ohio Township Association, which the township has always picked up. The motion to approve that was seconded and passed.
Marie mentioned a local government officials' conference in March, which she would like to go to, except that it falls on March 5 and 6. She asked if the meeting date could be changed. There was discussion about changing the date to March 7 or having a replacement to take the minutes. That decision was deferred until January.
Old Business:
Jason: At the last Fire Board meeting, the chief wanted to make the township aware that they may be closing SR 44 at the bridge during the winter. We may be moving a satellite station to the east [?] to cover the township. They are working on a plan now.
There was some discussion about how long the bridge would be closed. The target is about 45 days, but it could end up being double that, based on the experience with the one in Hiram on SR 82.
John Festa: Inventory. Vic has gone through it and made some deletions and adjustments. He will put a copy in John Festa's mailbox at the school building. John Festa reminded the board that the OCR, 505.04, specifies the annual inventory. The fiscal officer and the county engineer both receive copies.
Marie: I am not sure I ever got a clean copy of last year's. [There was an inconclusive response to that.]
New Business: Vic: I talked to a couple of people who sent me formulas [about the heaters for the garage.] The two heaters there now are 125,000 Btu, larger than what is needed for a double bay. Because of the garage and the fumes, the recommendations are a separate heat chamber unit. Everything today has electronic spark and a venter. They are recommending a separate combustion chamber unit to draw air in from outside. One of the companies gave me dimensions. The new heater would be a little smaller. They are recommending two 100,000 Btu units. The present ones may be 50% efficient; the new ones are reated at about 80%.
I mentioned to Brian Tayerle about a small unit in the south bay. The recommendation is that the best solution might be a couple of electric heaters. That way the bay could be heated if they need it to be.
Jason asked about knocking out a block or two and using a fan.
Vic: The small heaters need to be wired. I talked to Roger Hammel to see if he would be interested in installing them. He said he would. The prices I have right now are only good until the end of the year. There will be a 3%-5% increase after January 1.
The heating unit is $1250 for just the unit. There will be freight at $120. We will need a thermostat, vent cap, and vent cut [?] and piping. This brings it to about $1700 per unit. This is for unit(s) that draw outside air.
Roger Hammel's estimate was $750 to install. That is for 8 hours at $85.00 per hour. But he will charge us for the hours he puts in [blogger: less if it takes less time.]
Electric heaters have outrageous freight charges.
The total estimate for it all is about $5800. The road crew will need to help on this. Using a unit that does not pull in outside air would be about $1,000 less.
Jason: The one that draws the outside air--will that decrease the efficiency because it draws colder air?
Vic: If you put in the inside air one, they want you to put in a vent.
Vic had priced a couple of different places. He had asked about special government pricing.
John Festa: Do you think we need to do the electric heater?
Vic: It would probably be good.
Jason: What about just replacing the one that needs to be replaced?
Vic: They are both the same age, and in the long run it would be better. They are both about 40 years old. The odds of both going down at the same time are small.
Marie: We have $6,000 in Road and Bridge and Improvement of Sites.
Jason: We definitely need something, and I think we should move forward.
Vic: It will take 5-14 days. We are buying from R. G. Davis. [There was some discussion about the relationship with Roger Hammel and work with the township in the past.
Vic reviewed the places he had called in this process and stated that an electrician would be needed to hook up the electric heater.
Vic made the motion to purchase two Resinor heators and one electric heater and supplies for installation, Roger Hammel to install and not to exceed $5800. Marie asked for a second.
John Festa: I didn't have time to look it over. [But he finally seconded the motion.]
[Blogger: This is a logical place to stop. It's 3/4 of the meeting, and Christmas is coming.]
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Food for Thought
With the election frenzy over, there is a little time again to read. I found this in the latest Malcolm Gladwell book, David and Goliath. In light of the last year in the township, plus an impending trustees meeting tonight, it seemed like a good time to put this out. It's about authority and power, no matter whether in families or in governments.
Legitimacy is based on three things. First of all, the people who are asked to obey authority have to feel like they have a voice--that if they speak up, they will be heard. Second, the law has to be predictable. There has to be a reasonable expectation that the rules tomorrow are going to be roughly the same as the rules today. And third, the authority has to be fair. It can't treat one group differently from another.
p. 208
I don't think you need me to read you the tea leaves regarding this little nugget. Whether you are in fairly close to the center of things, or have just been reading the blog, you have the book on this.
Legitimacy is based on three things. First of all, the people who are asked to obey authority have to feel like they have a voice--that if they speak up, they will be heard. Second, the law has to be predictable. There has to be a reasonable expectation that the rules tomorrow are going to be roughly the same as the rules today. And third, the authority has to be fair. It can't treat one group differently from another.
p. 208
I don't think you need me to read you the tea leaves regarding this little nugget. Whether you are in fairly close to the center of things, or have just been reading the blog, you have the book on this.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Mantua Twp. Trustees 12-5-13. Ttee reports, final public comment
Brian Tayerle and Frank Horack left just before trustee reports.
Jason: A communication has been received from the Portage Co. Solid Waste District regarding 3 contractors with whom the district is entering into an agreement for recycling. Jason suggested signing the agreement after the bill had been paid.
Continuing: Insurance: The cards have been received from the new insurance provider, and an insurance funding plan has to be discussed. The road crew is currently paying 10% of their coverage and the township is paying 90%. [Note: Before that was enacted, the road crew all received raises that pretty much compensate them for the hit on their paychecks. In the new term of office, Vic may also now have to pay 10%. Jason "stepped up" and agreed to do that, but his annual amount is I believe less than Vic (or Marie) would pay for a month.]
Brian Savage gave the trustees some deductible options. Jason said they did not want to hit "our folks" hard on that. [I believe that the reference is to the road crew. The benefits to the fiscal officer and trustees have been an issue for years, always expressed in resentful tones.]
Marie asked if Brian Savage would be coming back to explain all of this. Answer: Yes. He will be on the agenda at the next meeting.
John Festa: A few of us pitched in and did another inventory for the township. I want to give everyone a copy and have you go through it. It is due the second week of January and I would like to meet the deadline this year.
Marie: We always just counted the large equipment, not things like the shovels.
John Festa read the single paragraph from the ORC regarding inventories. His opinion was that everything should be counted.
Vic: There is one thing on the list you can take off--it's mine.
Marie: You never said anything to me about this--I have a whole inventory system over there. It would take months to coordinate this with what I have.
Jason said something about an Excel spreadsheet.
Marie: The UAN has a whole system. I have a hard time translating this. [Blogger: As small as this looks on the surface, it pretty well defines operations in the township now: The people who have the experience to have key information are ignored and cut out of things, and the wheel keeps getting reinvented, apparently to please someone who does not sit at the table.]
John Festa: The north room, that is locked. Vic, can you get me a key for that? [Blogger: That may be where the records are at present, and only Marie should have access to it. See above about pleasing someone not at the table. Translation: Someone not elected.]
John Festa also commented on internet at the school. The cable company would have to have a site survey and if all is OK, the service for 7 meg. is $70 per month.
Marie: We are at $54.40 a month now.
John Festa: They told me they can provide phone service for $29/month with unlimited local and long distance.
Jason thought a better deal would be possible with a package and asked for a recommendation for this evening.
John Festa: I would recommend using Windstream for 2 years at 6 megs. What we have is a hot spot.
Marie: How many outlets for Windstream? If we went with cable, that would be available in all the rooms; we would not have to worry about it.
Jason: You can't isolate it into a room, but if we put it [the hot spot] in the hallway, everyone would have access.
John Festa: How about if we have a site survey from them? Decision to be made at the next meeting. [So much for Jason's desire to get it done tonight.]
Continuing: Last time we discussed liquor liability. I have some information on that. Recommendations from our insurance agent are that it should be attached to our rental agreements. For him, he needs, if liquor is involved, a copy of someone's homeowner's insurance.
Vic: Was this through Jim Love? Vic said he had asked another person to review our policy also.
Jason: If we can get by with just adding a second page to our rental form, it would be covered.
John Festa: I think with alcohol we need to protect ourselves and I think that would be a good eay to do it. I had a conversation with Matt Parsons, and he said that $300,000 is the norm.
Vic: I will follow through. He was supposed to send me some other information, too. I wanted to see if Travis would review ours and handle it simply.
John Festa asked if we had a copy for the Civic Center.
Marie: There are a lot of people in Mantua who rent their homes, and their limits are usually only $100,000. If you set it at $300,000, you might exclude some residents.
Vic: Over the years we have not had an issue involving alcohol. For graduations and weddings, we incorporate 4 hours of security. But we have been fortunate we have not had an issue. We do have it kind of covered in our policy for the gymnasium.
John Festa: It is unfortunate that the legal part in our society is such that we can not ignore it any more.
Vic: Cal Brant and Ronnie Stamm are still working on putting figures together for repair work on the Town Hall.
We have a rental in the gymnasium through the weekend.
Old Business: Jason asked John Dickey about the FAQ section on zoning for the website. Reply: Still working on it.
Jason observed that the trustees will have to approve it.
Vic, to John Dickey: I will take care of he visitors in your room. [A couple of bats had gotten into the room used for zoning.]
John Festa observed that the filing system (he and Vic looked at it) seems to be working.
Township Hall updates, Vic: They are working on putting an idea together. I have not had a discussion with Steve Coon. They are working on the shutters [at Steve's shop]. Weather has been a big issue.
Jason asked if there was anything on Pioneer Trail and the Chagrin River Watershed Partner[ship].
John Festa: I seen [sic] her at the meeting. There was no comment abut it.
Jason asked if there was other old business. John Festa asked Marie about whether the road crew gets paid for unused vacation days.
Answer: No. They get paid for unused sick leave. If you have the time cards here, I can tell you what's left.
[There was constant muttering from the back of the room.]
Public Comment was next.
Matt Parsons: One last thing on risk insurance. The home owner providing the entire policy--most do not have that. The simplest thing would be the declarations page.
Carole Pollard: I pitched the quality of the items at the Rotary Christmas Craft Show, which was the rental that Vic referred to for the gym.
Dave Pollard's remarks about the cemetery advisory board were posted in the first entry for this meeting. He also asked about mowing the roads and ditches:
I don't know whether they were all done this year.
Jason Everything was done one pass, and I was told there had been a second pass. [He was told? What about supervision?] I can not say with conviction that a second pass was done. [Isn't that his job?]
[Blogger: The other comments between Dave and Jason, and Steve Zielinski's remarks, have already been posted.
Jason: A communication has been received from the Portage Co. Solid Waste District regarding 3 contractors with whom the district is entering into an agreement for recycling. Jason suggested signing the agreement after the bill had been paid.
Continuing: Insurance: The cards have been received from the new insurance provider, and an insurance funding plan has to be discussed. The road crew is currently paying 10% of their coverage and the township is paying 90%. [Note: Before that was enacted, the road crew all received raises that pretty much compensate them for the hit on their paychecks. In the new term of office, Vic may also now have to pay 10%. Jason "stepped up" and agreed to do that, but his annual amount is I believe less than Vic (or Marie) would pay for a month.]
Brian Savage gave the trustees some deductible options. Jason said they did not want to hit "our folks" hard on that. [I believe that the reference is to the road crew. The benefits to the fiscal officer and trustees have been an issue for years, always expressed in resentful tones.]
Marie asked if Brian Savage would be coming back to explain all of this. Answer: Yes. He will be on the agenda at the next meeting.
John Festa: A few of us pitched in and did another inventory for the township. I want to give everyone a copy and have you go through it. It is due the second week of January and I would like to meet the deadline this year.
Marie: We always just counted the large equipment, not things like the shovels.
John Festa read the single paragraph from the ORC regarding inventories. His opinion was that everything should be counted.
Vic: There is one thing on the list you can take off--it's mine.
Marie: You never said anything to me about this--I have a whole inventory system over there. It would take months to coordinate this with what I have.
Jason said something about an Excel spreadsheet.
Marie: The UAN has a whole system. I have a hard time translating this. [Blogger: As small as this looks on the surface, it pretty well defines operations in the township now: The people who have the experience to have key information are ignored and cut out of things, and the wheel keeps getting reinvented, apparently to please someone who does not sit at the table.]
John Festa: The north room, that is locked. Vic, can you get me a key for that? [Blogger: That may be where the records are at present, and only Marie should have access to it. See above about pleasing someone not at the table. Translation: Someone not elected.]
John Festa also commented on internet at the school. The cable company would have to have a site survey and if all is OK, the service for 7 meg. is $70 per month.
Marie: We are at $54.40 a month now.
John Festa: They told me they can provide phone service for $29/month with unlimited local and long distance.
Jason thought a better deal would be possible with a package and asked for a recommendation for this evening.
John Festa: I would recommend using Windstream for 2 years at 6 megs. What we have is a hot spot.
Marie: How many outlets for Windstream? If we went with cable, that would be available in all the rooms; we would not have to worry about it.
Jason: You can't isolate it into a room, but if we put it [the hot spot] in the hallway, everyone would have access.
John Festa: How about if we have a site survey from them? Decision to be made at the next meeting. [So much for Jason's desire to get it done tonight.]
Continuing: Last time we discussed liquor liability. I have some information on that. Recommendations from our insurance agent are that it should be attached to our rental agreements. For him, he needs, if liquor is involved, a copy of someone's homeowner's insurance.
Vic: Was this through Jim Love? Vic said he had asked another person to review our policy also.
Jason: If we can get by with just adding a second page to our rental form, it would be covered.
John Festa: I think with alcohol we need to protect ourselves and I think that would be a good eay to do it. I had a conversation with Matt Parsons, and he said that $300,000 is the norm.
Vic: I will follow through. He was supposed to send me some other information, too. I wanted to see if Travis would review ours and handle it simply.
John Festa asked if we had a copy for the Civic Center.
Marie: There are a lot of people in Mantua who rent their homes, and their limits are usually only $100,000. If you set it at $300,000, you might exclude some residents.
Vic: Over the years we have not had an issue involving alcohol. For graduations and weddings, we incorporate 4 hours of security. But we have been fortunate we have not had an issue. We do have it kind of covered in our policy for the gymnasium.
John Festa: It is unfortunate that the legal part in our society is such that we can not ignore it any more.
Vic: Cal Brant and Ronnie Stamm are still working on putting figures together for repair work on the Town Hall.
We have a rental in the gymnasium through the weekend.
Old Business: Jason asked John Dickey about the FAQ section on zoning for the website. Reply: Still working on it.
Jason observed that the trustees will have to approve it.
Vic, to John Dickey: I will take care of he visitors in your room. [A couple of bats had gotten into the room used for zoning.]
John Festa observed that the filing system (he and Vic looked at it) seems to be working.
Township Hall updates, Vic: They are working on putting an idea together. I have not had a discussion with Steve Coon. They are working on the shutters [at Steve's shop]. Weather has been a big issue.
Jason asked if there was anything on Pioneer Trail and the Chagrin River Watershed Partner[ship].
John Festa: I seen [sic] her at the meeting. There was no comment abut it.
Jason asked if there was other old business. John Festa asked Marie about whether the road crew gets paid for unused vacation days.
Answer: No. They get paid for unused sick leave. If you have the time cards here, I can tell you what's left.
[There was constant muttering from the back of the room.]
Public Comment was next.
Matt Parsons: One last thing on risk insurance. The home owner providing the entire policy--most do not have that. The simplest thing would be the declarations page.
Carole Pollard: I pitched the quality of the items at the Rotary Christmas Craft Show, which was the rental that Vic referred to for the gym.
Dave Pollard's remarks about the cemetery advisory board were posted in the first entry for this meeting. He also asked about mowing the roads and ditches:
I don't know whether they were all done this year.
Jason Everything was done one pass, and I was told there had been a second pass. [He was told? What about supervision?] I can not say with conviction that a second pass was done. [Isn't that his job?]
[Blogger: The other comments between Dave and Jason, and Steve Zielinski's remarks, have already been posted.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Mantua Twp. Trustees 12-5-13. Zoning and enforcement, mainly.
Zoning Inspector's Report
John Dickey: $105.00 for permits
$325.00 for the BZA hearing
No verbal violation notices. He is waiting to hear from Chris Meduri and is preparing some notices for certified mail. Photos were mentioned, and John is checking on nonconforming uses.
There are two violations for which John was asking the trusteees to make a resolution on at this meeting so we can go to court. There are/.were some questions about land splits and home businesses.
The filing is being finished up. He is working on photographic proof and dating in the files.
There was discussion about a camera.
Vic: The garage has a digital one. All that is needed is a small digital camera, not very expensive.
John mentioned getting a full refund on the phone and how it was operating. There have been battery problems. The phone has been rejected by the manufacturer a year ago; the manufacturer will send a full refund. [Blogger: Apparently this phone was still in inventory wherever it was purchased by the township.]
John gave the trustees two resolutions all written out.
Jason said he had a version that Franklin Township uses. The 10 days notice period has expired. Once the paper work has been handled, the resolution can be taken care of at the next meeting.
John Festa raised a question that Chris Meduri had asked about a hundred junk cars. John Dickey mentioned the amount of money the certified letters would cost.
John Festa: How many would you like to start with?
John Dickey: Probably 20; concentrate on areas.
Marie checked on whether the money for certified letters was available.
Vic: Have these violations had a written warning already?
John Dickey: Some of them have. None [Blogger: I think that's the right word here] of them have done anything about this.
John thought the first step was a certified letter.
Vic: First--verbal. Then a written notice. I have gotten phone calls asking what their violation is. It should be on the paper. The first step should be in writing. I don't have the book here tonight, but I would be more than happy to go over it with you.
[Blogger: The zoning book is not a smorgasbord or cut and paste to put together an assumed violation. What it says is what is to be done. This does not sit well with people who are accustomed to doing what they please and who now want the zoning inspector to be their agent and enforcer, regardless of what the book says. In the previous meeting, when that idea--how can we just do this--came up, Chris Meduri reminded two of the trustees that people must be given due process. Of necessity, that is not fast. Dictatorships are fast and "efficient"; democracies are slow and sloppy, but their goal is justice.]
Marie: Zoning .has $21.67 left, and $117 plus in zoning inspector supplies.
Jason: Do we have anything in the cemetery general fund we can use?
Marie: You can't move money from fund to fund. [After four years, Jason should know that stone cold.]
Marie: In the zoning section I have $169.00 for planning consultants. I could move that into postage. There is about $250 in office supplies. It needs to be done before December 19.
Vic to John Dickey: I will do some research on the camera and on the zoning book and get together with you.
Marie: We have $100 in printing in the zoning fund.
Jason: I make a motion to move that into the zoning fund. John Festa, second. Unanimous.
John Festa asked about the violation notice from Chris Meduri, and Jason explained the procedure. [Blogger: I believe that this has been explained and reiterated a number of times. It hasn't changed.]
John Dickey: Once they get a registered letter they have 30 days.
Vic: Or the zoning inspector can extend that.
John Festa: But you are not going to extend this.
John Dickey: That was written in March. It has been extended.
That was the end of the zoning inspector's report and related discussion.
Road Department report. [Note: In sequence, this came after the discussion about the cemetery advisory committee.
Brian Tayerle: LaDue Reserve--Winchell Road has been torn up, cut down, and paved during a break in the weather. Three sites have been sold, and one set aside for a model home.
The shop needs some new gutters. The existing ones cannot be repaired further, and one of the furnaces has quite working and was deemed not worth fixing when someone came and looked at it. Two quotes, quite different, have been gotten. [Blogger: This is summary and paraphrase. Content is accurate.]
Vic: Get someone to size the garage and maybe even think about putting a smaller unit in the south end. When we were looking at things for our NOPEC grant, the person who looked at it thought we could use smaller units. These old ones are only about 60% efficient and the new ones are about 80% efficient. I would hate to put another hole in the roof but a smaller one can go through the wall in the third bay.
Vic, continuing: The cost per square foot for that building is one of the most expensive to heat.
John Festa: I think we should look at it and if you just run the one heater to compensate, it will burn up. Why don't you [Brian] call a few folks and see what comes out of it.
Vic: Get me the square footage and height and also the third bay.
Brian reported that they had replaced the light on the front of the salt shed. The clips and plates on the trusses are deteriorating.
Jason [All smiles]: You didn't announce the biggest news.
[The mini excavator has been delivered.] Brian mentioned that and said that he thought they could get a lot more ditching done, as well as work in the cemetery because it should be faster than the backhoe.
[That was the end of the significant information on those topics, to my mind. John Festa had gotten a question about the chip and seal on one of the roads. I believe the import of that was that it seemed to be getting washed off. I did not put that into my notes, but think that was the gist of it.]
John Dickey: $105.00 for permits
$325.00 for the BZA hearing
No verbal violation notices. He is waiting to hear from Chris Meduri and is preparing some notices for certified mail. Photos were mentioned, and John is checking on nonconforming uses.
There are two violations for which John was asking the trusteees to make a resolution on at this meeting so we can go to court. There are/.were some questions about land splits and home businesses.
The filing is being finished up. He is working on photographic proof and dating in the files.
There was discussion about a camera.
Vic: The garage has a digital one. All that is needed is a small digital camera, not very expensive.
John mentioned getting a full refund on the phone and how it was operating. There have been battery problems. The phone has been rejected by the manufacturer a year ago; the manufacturer will send a full refund. [Blogger: Apparently this phone was still in inventory wherever it was purchased by the township.]
John gave the trustees two resolutions all written out.
Jason said he had a version that Franklin Township uses. The 10 days notice period has expired. Once the paper work has been handled, the resolution can be taken care of at the next meeting.
John Festa raised a question that Chris Meduri had asked about a hundred junk cars. John Dickey mentioned the amount of money the certified letters would cost.
John Festa: How many would you like to start with?
John Dickey: Probably 20; concentrate on areas.
Marie checked on whether the money for certified letters was available.
Vic: Have these violations had a written warning already?
John Dickey: Some of them have. None [Blogger: I think that's the right word here] of them have done anything about this.
John thought the first step was a certified letter.
Vic: First--verbal. Then a written notice. I have gotten phone calls asking what their violation is. It should be on the paper. The first step should be in writing. I don't have the book here tonight, but I would be more than happy to go over it with you.
[Blogger: The zoning book is not a smorgasbord or cut and paste to put together an assumed violation. What it says is what is to be done. This does not sit well with people who are accustomed to doing what they please and who now want the zoning inspector to be their agent and enforcer, regardless of what the book says. In the previous meeting, when that idea--how can we just do this--came up, Chris Meduri reminded two of the trustees that people must be given due process. Of necessity, that is not fast. Dictatorships are fast and "efficient"; democracies are slow and sloppy, but their goal is justice.]
Marie: Zoning .has $21.67 left, and $117 plus in zoning inspector supplies.
Jason: Do we have anything in the cemetery general fund we can use?
Marie: You can't move money from fund to fund. [After four years, Jason should know that stone cold.]
Marie: In the zoning section I have $169.00 for planning consultants. I could move that into postage. There is about $250 in office supplies. It needs to be done before December 19.
Vic to John Dickey: I will do some research on the camera and on the zoning book and get together with you.
Marie: We have $100 in printing in the zoning fund.
Jason: I make a motion to move that into the zoning fund. John Festa, second. Unanimous.
John Festa asked about the violation notice from Chris Meduri, and Jason explained the procedure. [Blogger: I believe that this has been explained and reiterated a number of times. It hasn't changed.]
John Dickey: Once they get a registered letter they have 30 days.
Vic: Or the zoning inspector can extend that.
John Festa: But you are not going to extend this.
John Dickey: That was written in March. It has been extended.
That was the end of the zoning inspector's report and related discussion.
Road Department report. [Note: In sequence, this came after the discussion about the cemetery advisory committee.
Brian Tayerle: LaDue Reserve--Winchell Road has been torn up, cut down, and paved during a break in the weather. Three sites have been sold, and one set aside for a model home.
The shop needs some new gutters. The existing ones cannot be repaired further, and one of the furnaces has quite working and was deemed not worth fixing when someone came and looked at it. Two quotes, quite different, have been gotten. [Blogger: This is summary and paraphrase. Content is accurate.]
Vic: Get someone to size the garage and maybe even think about putting a smaller unit in the south end. When we were looking at things for our NOPEC grant, the person who looked at it thought we could use smaller units. These old ones are only about 60% efficient and the new ones are about 80% efficient. I would hate to put another hole in the roof but a smaller one can go through the wall in the third bay.
Vic, continuing: The cost per square foot for that building is one of the most expensive to heat.
John Festa: I think we should look at it and if you just run the one heater to compensate, it will burn up. Why don't you [Brian] call a few folks and see what comes out of it.
Vic: Get me the square footage and height and also the third bay.
Brian reported that they had replaced the light on the front of the salt shed. The clips and plates on the trusses are deteriorating.
Jason [All smiles]: You didn't announce the biggest news.
[The mini excavator has been delivered.] Brian mentioned that and said that he thought they could get a lot more ditching done, as well as work in the cemetery because it should be faster than the backhoe.
[That was the end of the significant information on those topics, to my mind. John Festa had gotten a question about the chip and seal on one of the roads. I believe the import of that was that it seemed to be getting washed off. I did not put that into my notes, but think that was the gist of it.]
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Mantua Twp. Trustees 12-5-13: Veterans' Memorial Update
Blogger Foreword: 'Tis the season of too little time and too much to do. With that in mind, this section of the meeting is brief enough to handle quickly. It is Thursday evening as I settle down to this; it will be Saturday before there will be time for another post, but I will be back then.
Veterans' Memorial, Frank Horack
Frank Horack: I received a letter from the board appreciating what we have done. We are working on the stripping (?) and the plaques. We have a committee working on that. [We have] the final inspection report from the Portage County Building Department on the site.
Also, the other night we formed a committee to look into the dedication of the memorial on Memorial Day and asked if anyone wanted to work with them. One is Bud Foster and the other is Matt Parsons. [Frank gave their phone numbers.]
Jason: I think it looks really nice out there. Coming south on Mantua Center Road, you can see it. The lighting is not blinding, but you can see it at night and know something is there. I think it is very well lit and once the plaques are up it will be good.
Frank: I think it is a nice asset for the township.
Frank's contribution ended there, and he left.
Blogger: Told you it would be brief! But sometimes it's good to have things presented one topic at a time instead of included in a lot of other information. Back in a day.
Veterans' Memorial, Frank Horack
Frank Horack: I received a letter from the board appreciating what we have done. We are working on the stripping (?) and the plaques. We have a committee working on that. [We have] the final inspection report from the Portage County Building Department on the site.
Also, the other night we formed a committee to look into the dedication of the memorial on Memorial Day and asked if anyone wanted to work with them. One is Bud Foster and the other is Matt Parsons. [Frank gave their phone numbers.]
Jason: I think it looks really nice out there. Coming south on Mantua Center Road, you can see it. The lighting is not blinding, but you can see it at night and know something is there. I think it is very well lit and once the plaques are up it will be good.
Frank: I think it is a nice asset for the township.
Frank's contribution ended there, and he left.
Blogger: Told you it would be brief! But sometimes it's good to have things presented one topic at a time instead of included in a lot of other information. Back in a day.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Mantua Twp. Trustees 12-5-13: Who's Really Running Things?
Marie Stehli, fiscal officer, reported $1,021,325 and change spent. Appropriations, $990,000 plus a bit.
Check the official minutes, which will be posted on the official Township website, mantuatownshipohio.gov, after approval at the December 19 meeting.
The trustees moved and agreed to accept Dan Wyznski's (sp?) offer of of $20.00 for the slide that had been removed from the playground at the school building, no bids having been received for it.
Letters of interest in being appointed or reappointed to the Zoning Commission must be postmarked by 12/5 and will be considered at the 12/19 trustees meeting.
Lyle Tayerle presented some information on supplemental insurance that would be available on a voluntary basis to township employees.
The next order of business was the zoning inspector's report and related discussion, but that will be dealt with in another post.
No reports from the Zoning Commission or the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Cemetery report: Fees: $1,500
Sales: 650
After that information was presented, Jason referred to a letter Jim Aldrich, sexton, had presented.
The letter requested permission to establish a cemetery committee of five including Jim to make recommendations to the board of trustees to improve the cemetery. It would meet once a month. [Blogger: See an earlier post which contains, verbatim, the letter Sue Skrovan presented from the Ladies Cemetery Association on this topic, and pay attention to Jason's response to that letter.]
Jim: I have a list of people that I think would serve well: Dave Green [Green's Funeral Home], Frank Horack, Amy Janca, and Barb Herbold.
John Festa had consulted with Chris Meduri and had some things to add.
John Festa: The ORC states that we can appoint a board. I don't think a board is necessary--it would be too complicated. I think Jim Aldrich is asking for a citizens' advisory committee.
Jim: We don't need a board of directors.
Jason: I read over some language regarding this and it does mention a cemetery board, but your committee is just going to be providing recommendations. Nothing is going to change--it is not going to step on the toes of the LCA. It will only work better with the LCA, which plants flowers and trees, and I think they will work well with your group. [This is Jason in spin mode, trying to convince us that we have just looked at a sheep instead of something with pointed teeth.]
Jim: They spent a great deal of time there this summer. Every time I was there, I saw these two [Barb Herbold and Amy Janca] working.
John Festa: I wrote some things I thought may be important.
1. An advisory committee--no decision making authority.
2. All recommendations directed to the trustees.
3. Maximum seated members, 5.
4. All members to be volunteers, including the secretary.
5. Meet at least 4 times per year. To Jim: You stated once a month.
6. Conducted in accordance with the Ohio Open Meetings law.
7. Vacancies will be advertised.
8. New appointees [Blogger: I thought they were to be volunteers; see above.] as approved by the trustees. [Blogger: I presented the items as phrases in the interest of brevity.]
Mission statement: The cemetery advisory committee may evaluate the operation, beautification, and maintenance needs of all cemeteries.
Stated purpose: Keep the township trustees advised of the condition of the cemeteries.
[Blogger: The trustees can't go see for themselves? What am I missing here?]
John Festa: I feel it is a citizens' advisory committee and I am in favor of citizens helping the township out.
Vic: The trustees are still going to have the final say on this, but I am not quite grasping what it is all about. How is this going to benefit us? Don't you think this should be advertised first for the committee if you are going to advertise for replacements?
Jim Aldrich: I am just looking for an organizational thing to get some ideas. I just need some thoughts for improving the cemetery. There are problems that need to be addressed. They are either not enforced or not plainly written. There is a lot of disarray to how people beautify graves. [Blogger: It seems to me that the things Jim has mentioned here fall within the job description and very ordinary responsibilities of the sexton. If he is qualified for the job, why does he need this advice?]
Vic: But that would have to come from the trustees and the sexton, right?
Jim: I thought the two girls [Barb and Amy, both well into retirement age]from the LCA and Dave Green could offer input. [Blogger: OK, and why is Frank part of this?]
Vic: I guess as far as the enforcement part, that would have to come from either the trustees or the sexton. I know in one email Chris Meduri said that he knew of no other townships that have something like this. I am not sure about this, honestly.
Continuing: Also, being that you have two members of the LCA, were they appointed by the LCA?
Jim: No, I have worked with them all summer and they are dedicated to the cemetery. I asked them if they would be willing and everybody was willing. I you have a problem with it, forget the idea.
Vic: I understand the input, which can be taken right now at any time about what needs to be done.
Jason: I know at times things have came [sic] before the board about signs and rules and regulations and costs of interment. We have to go out and research that but if there are folks willing to do that legwork, that will take a burden off the trustees to do the research required [to get the information] to make an informed decision. We would not be appointing them, but just that it is a volunteer committee. [Isn't getting such information also well within the ordinary responsibilities of the trustees?]
Vic: I think they are already helping them.
John Festa: We have other committees.
Vic: What other committees?
JF: Garden Club.
Vic: You have ignored the Garden Club.
JF: I don't know what the problem is if they want to help the community out.
Jason: I think this is an excellent idea. I think it would be good to have a beautification committee for the township grounds. The flagpole green has looked the same way for a long time. It needs to be remodified. It looks terrible. There have been too many breakdowns in communication with the trustees and the Garden Club.
Vic: Yes, there have. I agree. [Blogger: Anyone who has been here throughout the past four years, and especially the past two, should be keenly aware that Vic and Jason are not placing responsibility for that breakdown on the same shoulders. I have observed Jason and John Festa both to be dismissive and downright rude to Garden Club members and their concerns.]
Marie Stehli: I would question having a professional funeral director involved in this, especially regarding conflict of interest with Dave Green.
Jason: If he was making the final decisions that would be a conflict, but there are four other people providing input. And we do not have to move forward with their recommendations.
John Festa: [Regarding the list he presented] It was just words and they do not have to adopt them.
Jason: Jason made a motion to accept the sexton's recommendation to establish a cemetery advisory committee, based on his recommendations and volunteers. John Festa: Second.
Vote: John Festa, yes; Jason Carlton, yes; Victor Grimm, no.
In sequence, the Road Department report came next. In connection with the above issue, however, the next logical piece came during public comment.
Dave Pollard: It seems to me that we are getting unnecessary layers of bureaucracy. You have a citizens' advisory committee with the LCA. Why should anyone interested in giving advice to the trustees not just join the LCA? Within two years this board will supersede the LCA and will give recommendations to the township. Past history suggests that it would be in the form of "This is what we want to do--take it or leave it." You have a citizens' advisory committee now.
To Jason or John Festa: Who would advertise for a replacement on this committee?
John Festa: That was just my idea.
Dave: You have a committee in place and they were told a couple of meetings ago that if you wanted this board you would put it in place whether they wanted it or not.
Jason: I was told that members of the LCA did not know about a letter.
Dave: Some of the members I talked to said to the contrary. The LCA is always looking for new members. This will become a political football in the next couple of years.
[Dave had some further remarks, but on a different topic.]
Steve Zielinski complimented the board on helping Jim Aldrich out and gave them a copy of The Villager that described how Newton Falls handles its cemeteries and boards. [Blogger: I believe that was the import of the article.]
[Blogger: When I arrived, a little late, and signed in, Steve was already present and seated. Matt Parsons had signed the public comment sheet before I arrived. Dave came in at around 7:40 and signed both the meeting and public comment sheets. How is it that Steve spoke last, you might ask? Inquiring minds want to know! Steve spoke last because someone on "Larry's Team" always waits to sign in until after it looks as if all of the independent thinkers have arrived. Then one of them--usually Dan Cozzens, if he is there--signs in to get the last word. And tonight was not only no exception to that, but it also demonstrates that what was going to go on at this meeting was already a foregone conclusion. Steve's comments were scripted.]
Check the official minutes, which will be posted on the official Township website, mantuatownshipohio.gov, after approval at the December 19 meeting.
The trustees moved and agreed to accept Dan Wyznski's (sp?) offer of of $20.00 for the slide that had been removed from the playground at the school building, no bids having been received for it.
Letters of interest in being appointed or reappointed to the Zoning Commission must be postmarked by 12/5 and will be considered at the 12/19 trustees meeting.
Lyle Tayerle presented some information on supplemental insurance that would be available on a voluntary basis to township employees.
The next order of business was the zoning inspector's report and related discussion, but that will be dealt with in another post.
No reports from the Zoning Commission or the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Cemetery report: Fees: $1,500
Sales: 650
After that information was presented, Jason referred to a letter Jim Aldrich, sexton, had presented.
The letter requested permission to establish a cemetery committee of five including Jim to make recommendations to the board of trustees to improve the cemetery. It would meet once a month. [Blogger: See an earlier post which contains, verbatim, the letter Sue Skrovan presented from the Ladies Cemetery Association on this topic, and pay attention to Jason's response to that letter.]
Jim: I have a list of people that I think would serve well: Dave Green [Green's Funeral Home], Frank Horack, Amy Janca, and Barb Herbold.
John Festa had consulted with Chris Meduri and had some things to add.
John Festa: The ORC states that we can appoint a board. I don't think a board is necessary--it would be too complicated. I think Jim Aldrich is asking for a citizens' advisory committee.
Jim: We don't need a board of directors.
Jason: I read over some language regarding this and it does mention a cemetery board, but your committee is just going to be providing recommendations. Nothing is going to change--it is not going to step on the toes of the LCA. It will only work better with the LCA, which plants flowers and trees, and I think they will work well with your group. [This is Jason in spin mode, trying to convince us that we have just looked at a sheep instead of something with pointed teeth.]
Jim: They spent a great deal of time there this summer. Every time I was there, I saw these two [Barb Herbold and Amy Janca] working.
John Festa: I wrote some things I thought may be important.
1. An advisory committee--no decision making authority.
2. All recommendations directed to the trustees.
3. Maximum seated members, 5.
4. All members to be volunteers, including the secretary.
5. Meet at least 4 times per year. To Jim: You stated once a month.
6. Conducted in accordance with the Ohio Open Meetings law.
7. Vacancies will be advertised.
8. New appointees [Blogger: I thought they were to be volunteers; see above.] as approved by the trustees. [Blogger: I presented the items as phrases in the interest of brevity.]
Mission statement: The cemetery advisory committee may evaluate the operation, beautification, and maintenance needs of all cemeteries.
Stated purpose: Keep the township trustees advised of the condition of the cemeteries.
[Blogger: The trustees can't go see for themselves? What am I missing here?]
John Festa: I feel it is a citizens' advisory committee and I am in favor of citizens helping the township out.
Vic: The trustees are still going to have the final say on this, but I am not quite grasping what it is all about. How is this going to benefit us? Don't you think this should be advertised first for the committee if you are going to advertise for replacements?
Jim Aldrich: I am just looking for an organizational thing to get some ideas. I just need some thoughts for improving the cemetery. There are problems that need to be addressed. They are either not enforced or not plainly written. There is a lot of disarray to how people beautify graves. [Blogger: It seems to me that the things Jim has mentioned here fall within the job description and very ordinary responsibilities of the sexton. If he is qualified for the job, why does he need this advice?]
Vic: But that would have to come from the trustees and the sexton, right?
Jim: I thought the two girls [Barb and Amy, both well into retirement age]from the LCA and Dave Green could offer input. [Blogger: OK, and why is Frank part of this?]
Vic: I guess as far as the enforcement part, that would have to come from either the trustees or the sexton. I know in one email Chris Meduri said that he knew of no other townships that have something like this. I am not sure about this, honestly.
Continuing: Also, being that you have two members of the LCA, were they appointed by the LCA?
Jim: No, I have worked with them all summer and they are dedicated to the cemetery. I asked them if they would be willing and everybody was willing. I you have a problem with it, forget the idea.
Vic: I understand the input, which can be taken right now at any time about what needs to be done.
Jason: I know at times things have came [sic] before the board about signs and rules and regulations and costs of interment. We have to go out and research that but if there are folks willing to do that legwork, that will take a burden off the trustees to do the research required [to get the information] to make an informed decision. We would not be appointing them, but just that it is a volunteer committee. [Isn't getting such information also well within the ordinary responsibilities of the trustees?]
Vic: I think they are already helping them.
John Festa: We have other committees.
Vic: What other committees?
JF: Garden Club.
Vic: You have ignored the Garden Club.
JF: I don't know what the problem is if they want to help the community out.
Jason: I think this is an excellent idea. I think it would be good to have a beautification committee for the township grounds. The flagpole green has looked the same way for a long time. It needs to be remodified. It looks terrible. There have been too many breakdowns in communication with the trustees and the Garden Club.
Vic: Yes, there have. I agree. [Blogger: Anyone who has been here throughout the past four years, and especially the past two, should be keenly aware that Vic and Jason are not placing responsibility for that breakdown on the same shoulders. I have observed Jason and John Festa both to be dismissive and downright rude to Garden Club members and their concerns.]
Marie Stehli: I would question having a professional funeral director involved in this, especially regarding conflict of interest with Dave Green.
Jason: If he was making the final decisions that would be a conflict, but there are four other people providing input. And we do not have to move forward with their recommendations.
John Festa: [Regarding the list he presented] It was just words and they do not have to adopt them.
Jason: Jason made a motion to accept the sexton's recommendation to establish a cemetery advisory committee, based on his recommendations and volunteers. John Festa: Second.
Vote: John Festa, yes; Jason Carlton, yes; Victor Grimm, no.
In sequence, the Road Department report came next. In connection with the above issue, however, the next logical piece came during public comment.
Dave Pollard: It seems to me that we are getting unnecessary layers of bureaucracy. You have a citizens' advisory committee with the LCA. Why should anyone interested in giving advice to the trustees not just join the LCA? Within two years this board will supersede the LCA and will give recommendations to the township. Past history suggests that it would be in the form of "This is what we want to do--take it or leave it." You have a citizens' advisory committee now.
To Jason or John Festa: Who would advertise for a replacement on this committee?
John Festa: That was just my idea.
Dave: You have a committee in place and they were told a couple of meetings ago that if you wanted this board you would put it in place whether they wanted it or not.
Jason: I was told that members of the LCA did not know about a letter.
Dave: Some of the members I talked to said to the contrary. The LCA is always looking for new members. This will become a political football in the next couple of years.
[Dave had some further remarks, but on a different topic.]
Steve Zielinski complimented the board on helping Jim Aldrich out and gave them a copy of The Villager that described how Newton Falls handles its cemeteries and boards. [Blogger: I believe that was the import of the article.]
[Blogger: When I arrived, a little late, and signed in, Steve was already present and seated. Matt Parsons had signed the public comment sheet before I arrived. Dave came in at around 7:40 and signed both the meeting and public comment sheets. How is it that Steve spoke last, you might ask? Inquiring minds want to know! Steve spoke last because someone on "Larry's Team" always waits to sign in until after it looks as if all of the independent thinkers have arrived. Then one of them--usually Dan Cozzens, if he is there--signs in to get the last word. And tonight was not only no exception to that, but it also demonstrates that what was going to go on at this meeting was already a foregone conclusion. Steve's comments were scripted.]
Friday, December 6, 2013
Two days left!
First of all, sometimes it takes a couple of days after a trustees' meeting for the dust to settle. There is a lot of dust to settle in the aftermath of the meeting on December 5, but I will get at it in the next day or so.
The two days left are about this:
The Rotary Club of Mantua is in full holiday mode: There is a craft fair at the Mantua Center school building, which has been decorated nicely and looks quite festive. I helped set up on Thursday and worked there for several hours today.
If you are tired of getting things that were made in China or Chile or anywhere but here, go to the school building on Saturday December 7th or Sunday the 8th. Saturday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the hours at the school are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
On Saturday, Santa will be there from 2:30-5:30 for photos with the little kids.
Dean Olson, Rotary's Energizer Bunny, has gotten a wide variety of beautiful and charming crafts. The only sort of duplicates are jewelry, and that is only by category. The styles are so different that those vendors are not really competing with each other. There is everything from glass yard ornaments made from plates and bowls and saucers, believe it or not, to Christmas ornaments made from clothespins or little paint brushes (absolutely charming) to floral arrangements that would be stunning as holiday centerpieces. And lots of other stuff. Scarves, soaps, rag rugs.
But wait, there's more. There is also a kind of Farmer's Market fair at the Lutheran church in Mantua. Everyone was just setting up there this (Friday) evening, so I didn't get a good look at everything. Wendolyn Taylor and Shirley Ferris were setting up a whole table of really interesting jams and jellies, and there were some quilted table runners and things that looked like holiday wall hangings or banners. There may be baked goods, as there were all summer at the Saturday morning Rotary Farmer's Market. Things were still coming in when I stopped by. Go see for yourself! Support local small businesses. They belong to our neighbors.
The hours for the event at the church are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Santa will be there from 10:30-1:30.
There's still more: This weekend and next is Mantua Rotary's Christmas walk/tour of homes. Tickets are available at the caboose at Mantua Station Drug Company.
And even though everyone is worried about the snow, it is beginning to look like Christmas. Enjoy!
The two days left are about this:
The Rotary Club of Mantua is in full holiday mode: There is a craft fair at the Mantua Center school building, which has been decorated nicely and looks quite festive. I helped set up on Thursday and worked there for several hours today.
If you are tired of getting things that were made in China or Chile or anywhere but here, go to the school building on Saturday December 7th or Sunday the 8th. Saturday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the hours at the school are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
On Saturday, Santa will be there from 2:30-5:30 for photos with the little kids.
Dean Olson, Rotary's Energizer Bunny, has gotten a wide variety of beautiful and charming crafts. The only sort of duplicates are jewelry, and that is only by category. The styles are so different that those vendors are not really competing with each other. There is everything from glass yard ornaments made from plates and bowls and saucers, believe it or not, to Christmas ornaments made from clothespins or little paint brushes (absolutely charming) to floral arrangements that would be stunning as holiday centerpieces. And lots of other stuff. Scarves, soaps, rag rugs.
But wait, there's more. There is also a kind of Farmer's Market fair at the Lutheran church in Mantua. Everyone was just setting up there this (Friday) evening, so I didn't get a good look at everything. Wendolyn Taylor and Shirley Ferris were setting up a whole table of really interesting jams and jellies, and there were some quilted table runners and things that looked like holiday wall hangings or banners. There may be baked goods, as there were all summer at the Saturday morning Rotary Farmer's Market. Things were still coming in when I stopped by. Go see for yourself! Support local small businesses. They belong to our neighbors.
The hours for the event at the church are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Santa will be there from 10:30-1:30.
There's still more: This weekend and next is Mantua Rotary's Christmas walk/tour of homes. Tickets are available at the caboose at Mantua Station Drug Company.
And even though everyone is worried about the snow, it is beginning to look like Christmas. Enjoy!
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