Work Session
Work Sessions
The Perry Township Board of Trustees meets in a Work Session format on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM.
These meetings are held at the Township Hall located at 3111 Hilton Street NW in Massillon. Work Sessions are less formal than Regular Meetings and are utilized by Trustees and Department Heads for discussion of township related projects or activities.
Perry Township Board of Trustees
Work Session
May 14, 2013 7:00 pm
The Board has reserved the right to take action at this meeting
Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance:
Accept Remounting Ambulance Bids at 7:00 pm
Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that the Board has received a bid from Life Star Rescue, Inc. in the amount of seventy-five thousand six hundred thirteen dollars ($75,613.00) with an additional charge of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) for the existing unit to be towed to their facility in Van Wert, Ohio.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board of Trustees accept the bid that has been submitted by Life Star Rescue, Inc. and that this matter be tabled for further consideration so as to be referred to the Fire Chief and Law Director for review of compliance to the new specifications; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Excused absence: None.
Additions/Deletions to Agenda: None.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests: None.
Communications:
Public Speaks on Items up for Board Approval: None.
Township Business Requiring Board Action: None.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business:
Trustee Haines made a motion to approve bills and payroll in the amount of $29,728.36 for the week ending May 14, 2013; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Fiscal Officer:
Administration:
Trustee Haines briefly acknowledged the levy failure and stated that regarding the general fund budget, the Board, along with the Fiscal Officer, will continue to look at these figures more closely.
Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that regarding the recycling station, as of April 1, 2013 this department has been eliminated. Trustee Laubacher stated that the gas and water has been turned off at the recycling station, but a monthly sewer bill still remains. The Board briefly discussed the options of having the sewer line capped and the expense of this matter. Trustee Haines stated that these and other possible department expenses will be evaluated.
Trustee Chessler stated that in regard to the recycling center, Mr. David Held of the Stark-Tusc.-Wayne Joint Solid Waste District contacted him to assess how our recycling center was operating. Mr. Held also indicated that Lake Township has implemented a similar self-serve process with their recycling stations and have invested in cameras to monitor their recycling site. The camera investment was approximately $3,500.00. Trustee Chessler indicated that if some of the items at the recycling center location were to be auctioned, this could allow some additional monies to be generated possibly allowing the Board to consider implementing cameras at the recycling site(s).
Trustee Haines stated that it was worth our time to look into the matter of implementing cameras and it was agreed that more information on this matter needed to be obtained.
Trustee Laubacher stated that he would be meeting with a representative from Ohio Edison regarding the shut off of the various street lights within the Township.
Trustee Haines stated that in regard to some of the metering fees in various locations (example: park pavilions ) throughout the Township, the Board would be looking into having power shut off to some of these locations not being utilized throughout the winter months.
Fire Department: None.
Police Department: None.
Road and Parks Department:
Consider Hiring a Part Time Seasonal Park Employee
Road Superintendent Masalko stated that the Parks Department is requesting the Board of Trustees to consider Theresa Tangredi as a part time employee at ten dollars fifty cents ($10.50) per hour with a ninety (90) day probation period after drug and alcohol testing is approved. Duties would include mowing, weed eating, weeding and general maintenance within the park department with a total of twenty-eight (28) hours per week.
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board of Trustees hire part time seasonal park employee Theresa Tangredi at ten dollars fifty cents ($10.50) per hour with a ninety (90) day probation period after drug and alcohol testing is approved to perform job duties of mowing, weed eating, weeding and general maintenance not to exceed twenty-eight (28) hours per week or 1500 hours per year; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Law Director: None.
Zoning: None.
Executive Session(s):
Department Matters Not Requiring Board Action:
Administration: None.
Fire Department: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Police Department: None.
Road Department: None.
Zoning: None.
Law Director: None.
Upcoming Events:
Perry Township’s Bicentennial planning meeting – the last Tuesday of each month. Location: Perry Township Administration Office, 3111 Hilton St. NW
Public Speaks-Open Forum:
Tim Blythe-2956 Bridgeton St. NW, Massillon – Mr. Blythe stated that he had a public records request for the township utilities; electric and gas, water and phone. Regarding Perry Township Hall, the water and gas bill are paid out of the general fund for the entire facility. Mr. Blythe stated that he wondered if it would not be more productive to split this bill; 1/3 fire administration, 1/3 township administration, 1/3 maintenance garage. Mr. Blythe also inquired as to the fire department paying 100% of the electric bill; Mr. Blythe indicated that he felt this bill should be split up as well.
Mr. Blythe stated that in regard to Perry Park, records indicate that during the summer months, the township has paid up to $200.00 per month for water. Mr. Blythe stated that he felt this was probable due to the concession stand and restrooms during baseball games. Mr. Blythe inquired as to passing those costs on to the Perry Baseball Association. Mr. Blythe inquired as to whether the sports organizations pay anything for the use of the fields at Meredith Park and Perry Park. Trustee Haines stated that the sports organizations did not pay for the use of the fields, but they maintain the fields. Trustee Haines also indicated that any improvements to the fields (back stops and dugouts) were paid for by Perry Baseball as well as for the lights and their use. Any upkeep to the grounds are paid for by the Township.
Trustee Haines stated that there has been discussion with the President of the Perry Baseball Association regarding some recent vandalism to the Perry Park restrooms. Trustee Haines stated that it was indicated that if there is any more vandalism, the restrooms will be locked and the Baseball Association will be responsible for obtaining portable toilets. At this time, the restrooms are being utilized by the general public in the parks so to specify how much of the restroom use being utilized by baseball is difficult. Trustee Haines also stated that the concession stand is used solely by the baseball association and is not certain how much of the water usage is being utilized from that but that it is certainly worth looking into further.
Mr. Blythe inquired as to the conditions of the park restrooms and wondered if it would be more conducive to level the restrooms and utilize portable toilets. Mr. Blythe referred to the portable toilets atPetrosParkand pointed out how well maintained they are. Trustee Haines stated that he and Road Superintendent Masalko have discussed the subject of the public restrooms maintained at both Perry Park andSummerdaleParkand how to proceed with this maintenance. If the Board decides to shut down the public restrooms, it would be at both of these park locations.
Mr. Blythe also referred to the February 2012 First Communications phone bill; there was an outstanding balance that kept increasing with each statement until the phone line in question was finally disconnected. Law Director Hall stated that he has had continued communication with First Communications regarding this matter; the Township had requested shut off and termination of the phone lines in question in 2011 and any bills up to the date of the shut off had been paid. Even though the phone service was disconnected, First Communications had continued to bill those lines. The Township has disputed this bill, approximately $3,300.00, and also have continued to ask First Communications to specify the itemization and they simply will not do this. Mr. Hall stated that he has advised the Fiscal Officer and his staff to not pay this bill unless the utility can prove that the Township owes this.
Mr. Blythe also referred to his conversation with the Zoning Inspector, Scott Weckbacher, regarding his mowing at the Richville Cemetary. Mr. Blythe asked if this was a responsibility of the zoning inspector. Trustee Haines stated that it is not but is a Township responsibility. Trustee Haines explained that the mowing maintenance at the Richville Cemetary has been outside contracted with Mr. Weckbacher. Mr. Blythe asked why the Township equipment was used for this maintenance. Further conversation regarding this matter was discussed. Trustee Haines referred to the recent retirement situation within the parks department and the transition that has ensued; the Board had considered outside bids for mowing purposes at $70.00 per hour so payment for mowing at the cemetery by Mr. Weckbacher was considered a comparable value. Trustee Haines stated that now that the Board has changed avenues within the parks/road department, the outside contracting for mowing the cemetery by Mr. Weckbacher was something worth reconsidering. Trustee Haines stated that once Road Superintendent Masalko is fully staffed for the mowing season, this is something that can be handled by the park staff.
Mr. Blythe also inquired as to the general fund portion of the 1A account and asked if the $115,000.00 itemization was for health insurance. Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that this itemization was for all insurance. Mr. Blythe inquired as to the clerk and administrator and whether their insurance was split up among the different parties just as their wages. Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that was correct. Mr. Blythe also stated that the Worker’s Compensation for the general fund was $8,000.00 and considered that high. Mr. Blythe asked whether there was a classification for a firefighter or policeman because Worker’s Comp. is based on exposure to injuries. Mr. Schlegel stated that the price for Worker’s Compensation is the same for everyone. Mr. Blythe stated that he wondered if the Township contacted the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation and could have the different types of work classifications be identified it could possibly be a huge savings. Further conversation regarding this matter was discussed. Mr. Schlegel stated that he would follow up with Worker’s Compensation on the break down.
Mr. Blythe also inquired as to the zoning budget of $103,000.00 for wages. In addition to the zoning inspector’s wages asked what the remainder of that budget was for. Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that a portion of the Administrator and Administrative Assistant’s wage are among that budget. Trustee Haines stated that the administrative salaries are divided among fire, police, zoning and general fund and a portion of the fiscal assistant’s salary.
Mr. Blythe inquired as to the miscellaneous portion of the general fund in the amount of $55,000.00 for Trustee’s salaries in the 1A account. Mr. Schlegel stated that this was listed because at that time, it was undecided as to whether the salaries would be divided. The salaries are not being divided so that money can be used as seen fit.
Mr. Blythe stated that it looks like recycling is taken out of the road portion of the general fund. Mr. Blythe inquired that if $100,000.00 is taken out of the general fund would it would be earmarked for roads for highway improvements. Mr. Schlegel stated that there is no money earmarked for roads in the general fund and also indicated that .1 mil is general fund and 1.5 mil is road and bridge out of the 04 account.
Mr. Blythe inquired if there was a possibility of changing the lease agreements for the Fasnacht Farm. Mr. Blythe stated that the determination of the fair market value of that property was $800.00 per month and the Township is giving the tenants a 50% discount which is $4,800.00 a year of potential income. Mr. Blythe stated that it seems crazy to rent a three bedroom house on an acre of land for less than what you could rent an apartment for. Law Director Hall stated that this is not a traditional residential rental. This is a concept where the tenants are providing public services by running the educational programs and overseeing the community gardening. Trustee Haines stated that part of the $400.00 a month rent versus $800.00 is living on a public entity and aims to offset the tenants giving up their privacy. Trustee Haines stated that while this may not be the perfect state of circumstances, it is a work in progress.
Mr. Blythe inquired as to the different buildings that he feels are haphazardly placed around the Fasnacht Farm property that he believes would never pass the zoning resolutions placed within the township. Mr. Blythe stated that the reason buildings are not supposed to be less than ten (10) feet away are for fire hazards. Trustee Haines stated that he would have our zoning inspector check on these matters in relation to this property being a farm versus residential.
Mr. Blythe asked what the balance was on the loan for the Fasnacht Farm stating that the reason he is asking this is because in the newspaper it was stated that the Township would possibly have to sell this property. Trustee Haines stated that this was a mis-portrayal in the newspaper regarding possibly having to sell the farm property.
Trustee Laubacher inquired as to the gas revenue from the Fasnacht Farm property coming to the Township. Mr. Schlegel stated that was correct, it is in the process of coming to the Township and will be put into the general fund.
Anne Unklesbay-3026 Maytime St. NW , Massillon, OH 44646 – Ms. Unklesbay inquired about the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation refund referred to in the newspaper. Ms. Unklesbay asked if this refund would help with the Township’s financial situation. Trustee Haines stated that it would be money toward the general fund and verified that this refund amount was approximately $39,000.00. Fiscal Officer Schlegel explained that the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation would issue a refund to Perry Township for the year 2011-2012; a small portion of the $39,000.00 will go toward the Township’s general fund. The larger portion will go to the police department. The Township pays Worker’s Compensation for police, fire, road and general fund. This amount of $39,000.00 is a reimbursement. Mr. Schlegel stated that he would verify the percentage that was paid out to each department and would reimburse that particular department accordingly. Mr. Schlegel gave an example that if the police department owed 60%, they would get 60% of that money back. Mr. Schlegel stated that while this $39,000.00 will help toward the general fund somewhat, it will not be a large amount.
Ms. Unklesbay stated that her mailbox had been moved when her road was redone by the Township but when it was placed back, was moved back too far and is now sitting in mud when it rains. Ms. Unklesbay is asking if the road department would re-set her mailbox closer to the road. Trustee Laubacher asked Ms. Unklesbay if she would leave her phone number after the meeting and she stated that she would just call over to the road department and leave her information.
Mr. Schlegel wanted to clarify a reference to the amount of approximately $50,000.00 that was previously referred to in this evening’s minutes by Mr. Blythe. Mr. Schlegel stated that because the Trustees would not be dividing these monies, the road department would be utilizing these funds; Mr. Schlegel stated that he had not yet moved these monies.
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Haines made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Doug Haines, President Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer