Disclaimer: Please note that these minutes are in a preliminary draft format and are not considered an official record until signed by the Board of Trustees and Fiscal Officer.

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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES
MARCH 13, 2008
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The Springfield Township Board of Trustees held a Trustees meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at the Springfield Township Town Hall, 2459 Canfield Road, Akron, Ohio.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dean Young. Bruce Killian, Acting Fiscal Officer called the roll. Mrs. Davis (here); Mr. Mealy (here); Mr. Young (here).

FIRE DEPARTMENT
Swearing in ceremony of Luke Ricketts and Jesse Conner as full-time Fire Fighter/EMT Paramedics. Dean Young administered the Oath of Office to Luke Ricketts and Jesse Conner. Fire Chief Wincik pinned their badges on.

OPENING OF LAWN BIDS

Bruce Killian opened the bids for lawn maintenance.

ADMINISTRATIVE

ADM 063-08 Dean Young: I move that we received the bids and turn them over to Road Supt. Richard Kaylor for his review and recommendation. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 064-08 Vince Mealy: I move to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes of the February 14, 2008 Regular Meeting, February 21, 2008 and February 28, 2008 special meetings. Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 065-08 Dean Young: I move to approve payment of bills and payroll as prepared by the Fiscal Officer, subject to audit. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

Fiscal Officer Report - Bruce Killian
The beginning fund balance for February including 2007 carryover totaled $2,716,444.88; receipts totaled $537,606.35 and expenditures totaled $477,256.60. Year to date receipts total $702,556.58 and excesses total $832,590.92 leaving a fund balance of $2,776,794.63 as of 2/29/08.

ADM 066-08 Vince Mealy: I move to approve the Fiscal Officer’s report. Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 067-08 Vince Mealy: I move to approve payment of 2008 property and liability insurance with OTARMA in the amount of $52,962.00 ($6 million liability). Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 068-08 Vince Mealy: I move, nunc pro tunc, (now & then) transfer from General Fund 01 of $5,000 to Senior Center Nutrition Fund 14B and $10,000 to Senior Center Fund 14C to encumber funds for payroll and retirement. This was done March 5th to ensure funds available in fund lines for pay to be entered next week prior to entry of final appropriations in fund lines. Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 069-08 Dean Young: I move, nunc pro tunc, (now & then) adjusting the rate for Attorney Irving Sugerman to $125.00 per hour effective 1/1/08. Seconded by Vince Mealy. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

TABLED Resolution - $50,000 encumbered amount for Canton Road Corridor improvement project. Dean Young: I would like to table this item and handle it next week at the appropriations meeting.

ADM 070-08 Vince Mealy: I move to set a public meeting to consider adoption of permanent appropriations for 2008. Workshop to be held March 19, 2008, 3:30 p.m. with a public meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 071-08 Vince Mealy: I move to approve a resolution on political signage and issue support limiting or disallowing this signage to be placed on all township owned properties. We would support, however, township, school, and or county issues the board endorses. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 072-08 Dean Young: I move to amend Motion #003-08 establishing dates and times for the Zoning Commission meetings to change the meeting time from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ADM 073-08 Dean Young: I move to set a public hearing on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. in the Springfield Township Town Hall to consider zoning amendment #001-2008; a text amendment initiated by the Springfield Township Board of Trustees to allow Unified Commercial Developments as a permitted use in the C-2 Office and Limited Business District. The proposed amendment is forwarded by the Zoning Commission with a recommendation for approval. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Fire Chief, Vic Wincik, gave the monthly Fire Department report.

Also conducted:

FIRE 074-08 Dean Young: I move to approve 80-hours vacation pay in lieu of time off for Fire Chief, Vic Wincik. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police Chief, John Smith, gave the monthly Police Department report.

Training:

Community Services

Chief Smith Announcements:
• Police Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for this Saturday will be postponed due to weather. It will be tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, March 22nd, at 11 a.m., Schrop School.
• Congratulations to Officer Jason Moore for being named by Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh as ‘Top Cop’ for January, 2008. The ‘Top Cop’ is awarded to only one officer in Summit County for each month of the year. His nomination was due to his investigative efforts which led to the successful prosecution and conviction of a person for aggravated arson. The defendant was sentenced to seven years in prison. This was the defendant’s second conviction for arson since 2006. I would also like to thank our Fire Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office for their assistance and expertise in investigating the arson.
• The Attorney General’s Office approved our DARE grant for another school year. That is a 50% match in salary money.
• Game Rooms update - Last summer, there were seven open in Springfield. At this time, only three remain open. There were only two open until about a week ago when one re-opened under new management. We have spoken with the three that are currently open and advised them of any concerns we had.

POLICE 075-08 Vince Mealy: I move to approve a recommendation by Chief Smith to hire Ginger Gray to fill a part time probationary data entry job effective 3/12/08. This opening was created due to Jessica Gregory accepting a full time position elsewhere. The probationary period will be one year unless amended by a board motion upon a recommendation from the Chief of Police. The probationary pay rate will be $9.36. Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

POLICE 076-08 Dean Young: I move to approve payment of Springfield Township’s Metro SWAT fair share fee for 2008 in the amount of $4,722.31 (last years share was $4,725.05). Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

POLICE 077-08 Dean Young: I move to approve payment to Motorola for the yearly service contract in the amount of $3,520.80. This covers the mobile data terminals in the cruisers. Last years contract was $3,432.00 but was paid in monthly installments. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

S/C Accept resignation of Dorothy Badged effective March 7, 2008.
TABLED Deborah Davis: I would like to table this until our Wednesday meeting.

ROAD DEPARTMENT
Road Superintendent, Richard Kaylor, gave the monthly Road Department report. After living through the snowiest February on record and the recent snowstorm without hardly any salt, it has been a real experience. But we came through it pretty good. We have been busy keeping our equipment in good repair between snowfalls. So far this season, we have used 1600 tons of salt. We have started patching pot holes and have only used 7 tons of material. Also, so far this season, we have accumulated 611 hours of overtime between 4 men. That is an average of 152 hours per man and to break it even further, that is only 20 minutes a day per man. I want to thank the men in the Road Department.

ROAD 078-08 Vince Mealy: I move to approve payment of $1,058,21 to Wingfoot Commercial Tire for four tires on Road Department vehicle 1002. Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ROAD 079-08 Vince Mealy: I move to approve the purchase of a Ford F-250 full size pickup, 4-wheel drive, extended cab, with an 8' bed, not to exceed $22,000.00 pending certification of final appropriations. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ROAD 080-08 Vince Mealy: I move to hire GPD for an amount not to exceed $4,515 for preliminary design for the salt storage area. Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ROAD 081-08 Dean Young: I move to approve payment to K.C. Electric for service to Lakefront Park, in the amount of $4,000.00. Seconded by Deborah Davis. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ZONING DEPARTMENT
Zoning Administrator, Nick Campanelli, gave the monthly Zoning Department report. During the month of February, 2008:

ZONING 082-08 Vince Mealy: I move to declare the garage lot property located on Milo White Drive, Parcel #51-01539, a nuisance and to initiate abatement under the provisions of Ohio Revised Code, Section 505.86. Seconded by Dean Young.

Dean Young: Is there anyone here that wishes to speak on this matter? No response.

Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

ZONING 083-08 Dean Young: I move to declare the property located at 2982 Bilburston Road a nuisance and to initiate abatement under the provisions of Ohio Revised Code, Section 505.86 and 505.87. Seconded by Deborah Davis.

Dean Young: Is there anyone here that wishes to speak on this matter? No response.

Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

PARKS BOARD
Report from Parks Board Chairman, Neal Hess.
We had our first meeting last month; the evening of the third Tuesday of the month. We have 12 -15 members who have indicated they would like to be on the Parks & Recreation Board. We have accepted all those who are interested. The meeting was very productive. We created sub-committees: Lakefront Park, Sporting Complex, Lake & Watercraft, and Trails & Trail Head Sub Committees. We had discussion on creating walking paths at the JEDD Park (Pickle Road). We also have a sub-committee working on the geese problem at the lake, funding for a boat launch, to try and develop a trail and green space plan. Another idea was to have an occasional small festival at the lake. We will be meeting again this Tuesday (March 18).

Vince Mealy: A time- sensitive matter would be, how we are going to spend that $10,000 grant plus the additional $8,500 matching from the Township.

Neal Hess: We will be discussing at the next meeting how that money will be spent.

Bruce Killian: We were notified of the award on the grant, when will the funds be forthcoming?

Neal Hess: They are reimbursed funds. I assume it would be late summer.

PUBLIC INPUT
Christine Combs-Nance, Michael Nance
• I would just like everyone to know we purchased Sawyerwood Elementary School. It has not been completely finalized yet, it might be some time in April. We plan to make it a community center. Sports related activities for the youths and adults. A day care program when schools are closed due to weather. Make meeting rooms available. We have acquired batting cages. We have three in-ground basketball hoops. We would like to have a pad for a full sized basketball court. Anyone wanting to donate any help can call at 330-459-1146.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Dean Young: Board of Trustees Cable Scholarship applications for two $1,500 scholarships to be awarded to Springfield High School seniors due by March 31, 2008. Awards will be announced in May.

• Vince Mealy: Update on Community Survey: Should receive this week. Online at www.springfieldtownship.us. Must fill in and save file, then email to jdies@neo.rr.com or jdies@springfieldtownship.us. Can also drop off at Town Hall.

• Dean Young: Parks & Rec Board Meeting, Tues., March 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

• Dean Young: Sawyerwood Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Sawyerwood Elementary Playground sponsored by Sawyerwood Community Outreach Program.

MEETINGS SCHEDULED
• Dean Young: Bicentennial Committee will meet April 7, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. August 2nd - is Save the Date Day for celebration of Township’s 200th birthday.

• Dean Young: Lakemore/Springfield Community Days, July 19, 20, 2008 to coincide with Boat Regatta; Meetings of the Steering Committees for the Lakemore/Springfield Community Days are held Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. alternating between Springfield and Lakemore.

PUBLIC INPUT
Coleen Claytor, 980 Ewart:
Commented on snow plows pushing snow in street.

Jerry Hallman, Mingo Trail:
Commented on dumping on Margaret, and the ditches being full.

Gene Lindgren, 1670 Faylor Drive:
Would the Road Department consider helping senior citizens, on a registration basis, with snow plowing.

ADM 084-08 Vince Mealy: I move we go into Executive Session requested by Fire Chief Wincik relative to discussion of details regarding security arrangements for Fire Department per ORC 121.22 (G) (6), and to consider possible employment of personnel per ORC 121.22 (G) (1). Seconded by Dean Young. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

Bruce Killian: I would like to request some clarification. Next week, Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. the Board is going to meet on the appropriations budget with by 7:00 hopefully having a resolution of that. You also had a scheduled workshop for Thursday at 3:30 p.m. that you have alluded to. Are you going to meet on both days?

Dean Young: I may have misspoken. Thursday’s workshop is off.

The Board went into Executive Session at 9:05 p.m.
The Regular Meeting resumed at 10:01 p.m.

ADM 085-08 Dean Young: I move to adjourn. Seconded by Vince Mealy. Roll Call: Mr. Mealy (yes); Mr. Young (yes); Mrs. Davis (yes).

_____________________________                                                 ______________________________
Dean Young, Chairman                                                                       Vince Mealy, Vice Chairman

ATTEST

_____________________________                                                 ______________________________
Deborah Davis, Trustee                                                                      Bruce Killian, Acting Fiscal Officer

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