Regular Meeting
Regular Meetings
The Perry Township Board of Trustees meets in Regular Meeting format on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM.
The meetings are held at the Township Hall located at
3111 Hilton Street NW
in Massillon. Regular Meetings include reports by Department Heads, the Law Director, and the Township Administrator. The public is welcome to offer comments during the Public Speaks portion of the agenda on township related matters.
Perry Township Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
March 18, 2014 7:00 pm
Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance:
Excused absence:
Additions/Deletions to Agenda:
Communications:
Letter Received 03/05/14 from Fred Stergios
Trustee Laubacher read a letter from Fred Stergios stating that he was leaving the area and would be resigning from the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately. Trustee Laubacher inquired of Zoning Inspector Weckbacher when Mr. Stergios was leaving. Zoning Inspector Weckbacher stated that Mr. Stergios made notice of his last meeting during the March 3, 2014 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting and had served the Board of Appeals for twenty four (24) years. Mr. Weckbacher stated that Marc O’Brien will serve as the assigned Chairman alternate.
Trustee Laubacher stated that another alternate would have to be instituted for the Zoning Board of Appeals. Zoning Inspector Weckbacher stated that two (2) people had inquired about this position, Todd Dean and Tom Marino.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that with regret, the Board of Trustees accepts the letter of resignation from Fred Stergios and stated that the Board thanks him for his dedicated and long tenure of service; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
Per Trustee Laubacher, a notice will be posted on the Home page of the Township website under Community Announcements regarding sending a letter of interest to apply for the alternate position for the Board of Zoning Appeals.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Documenting Verbal Counseling Session with Law Director During March 4, 2014 Executive Session
Trustee Chessler stated that it was brought to the Board’s attention a matter that occurred on February 4, 2014 regarding Law Director Hall. A discussion took place, with the Board members individually, in addition to email communication. During the last meeting on March 4, 2014, the Board of Trustees convened in Executive Session so that the Board could collectively discuss the matter with Law Director Hall. It involved Mr. Hall bringing into the office of the administrative building a handgun that he had acquired that he wanted to ask some questions about the use of the safety on that weapon with Police Chief Pomesky. This took place in the administration building, not in an area where any of the public would be and was unloaded at all times. It was in the building, according to the people who were aware of it, approximately a minute or two and then taken out of the building. Mr. Hall, prior to the Executive Session and in the Executive Session acknowledged that this was a matter of demonstrating poor judgment and he assured the Board that this kind of thing was recognized as something that should not occur. The Board admonished him and recognized that this was insight to poor judgment. The Board counseled him that should this happen in the future, the Board would consider this quite a serious breach of conduct and could result in significant sanction including up to termination. That discussion was memorialized shortly after the discussion had taken place and this evening is the first open meeting to bring this matter forward. The Board wishes to acknowledge in open session the matter of this oral counseling session and makes a motion that the Board, at this time, adopt, ratify and confirm this memorialized oral counseling; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval: None.
Township Business requiring Board Action: None.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business:
Trustee Laubacher made a motion to approve bills and payroll in the amount of $142,927.51 for the week ending March 11, 2014 and bills only in the amount of $49,661.40 for the week ending March 18, 2014 for a combined total of $192,588.91; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Fiscal Officer:
Trustee Laubacher made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 4, 2014 Regular Meeting; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Administration:
Consider Richville Cemetery Headstone Request
Administrator Fetzer stated that on June 18, 2013, a Resolution was created by the Board to require a headstone height requirement of 30 inches for the Richville Cemetery. The cemetery sexton is requesting the Board to consider amending this height requirement.
The cemetery sexton received a call from Family Memorials in regard to an angel memorial requested by a customer that would exceed the Richville Cemetery headstone height requirement of 30 inches. This customer currently has a flatstone marker at the Richville Cemetery for her deceased mother and is intending to have the flatstone marker removed and replace it with the angel memorial, but the height of the angel memorial is 42 inches, photo attached before the Board. In addition, while researching other common headstone height dimensions, photos also attached before the Board, find that it is common for them to also exceed the 30 inch height requirement.
In addition to requesting the Board to amend the headstone height requirement for Richville Cemetery, if the Board does so amend, the cemetery sexton is also requesting permission to edit the cemetery rules and regulations on the website.
Trustee Haines stated that originally the headstone height requirement was established due to the overall stability of the headstone structure over time and in addition stated that the requested height adjustment should not be an issue.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board adopt changes to the current policy for the Township cemetery and allow a maximum height of 42 inches for headstone placement and to also permit a person so interested to make application to the Board of Trustees for a waiver or variance for that maximum height; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Fire Department:
Police Department:
Road and Park Department:
Consider the Purchase of a Ten (10) ft. Dump Bed and Hoist
Consider the Purchase of a Snow Plow Hitch
Road Superintendent Masalko stated that the Road Department is asking the Board’s permission to purchase a 10 ft. dump bed, hoist and snow plow hitch for the 2014 Freightliner cab and chassis purchased in 2013. Two (2) quotes were obtained, the lowest of the two bids being from Ace Truck Equipment, 1130 Newark Rd, Zanesvile, Ohio. The 10 ft. dump bed and hoist quote in the amount of $9,064.00; the snow plow hitch quote in the amount of $3,668.00 for the total of both pieces of equipment not to exceed $12,732.00. Road Superintendent Masalko stated that it is his recommendation to use Ace Truck Equipment’s bid.
Trustee Laubacher made a motion that the Board authorize the Road Superintendent to purchase from Ace Truck Equipment both a 10 ft. dump bed and hoist in the amount of $9,064.00 and a snow plow hitch in the amount of $3,668.00 at a total not to exceed $12,732.00; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Consider Memorandum of Understanding between the Perry Township Board of Trustees and Local 935 Perry Organized Workers and AFSCME Ohio Council 8 AFL-CIO
Law Director Hall stated that before the Board is a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding that does not change union affiliation or union recognition, it is simply another voluntary group that the union wants to align themselves with. Because the union has brought this to the attention of the Road Superintendent, and because they will be asking the Fiscal Officer to make payroll deductions, the Board should be made aware of this and approve or deny their request which would give the Fiscal Officer the authority to make that withholding and contributions to this legal action committee of AFSCME.
Trustee Chessler stated that based on the explanation of the Law Director and based upon his recommendation, moves that the Board of Trustees approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Perry Township Board of Trustees and the Local 935 Perry Organized Workers and AFSCME Ohio Council 8 AFL-CIO; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Trustee Haines referred to this organization as being able to help promote the road levy coming up in May.
Consider Hiring Forrest M. Holdsworth as a Part Time Seasonal Employee
Road Superintendent Masalko stated that the Park Department is asking the Board to consider adding Forrest M. Holdsworth as a part time, seasonal employee for the Park Department at $10.50 per hour, not to exceed 1500 working hours within a year. His driving record was checked and has no violations, with a hire date of April 1, 2014
Trustee Laubacher made a motion that the Board authorize the Park Department to hire Forrest M. Holdsworth as a part time, seasonal employee for the Park Department at $10.50 per hour, not to exceed 1500 working hours within a year, at 28 hours per week, with a hire date of April 1, 2014; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Law Director: None.
Zoning: None.
Parks and Recycling: None.
Executive Session(s): None.
Department Matters Not Requiring Board Action:
Administration: None.
Fire Department: None.
Police Department: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Road Department: None.
Zoning: None.
Law Director: None.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests:
Coach Riggs and Members of the Perry Wrestlers ~ State Qualifiers
Trustee Laubacher stated that with us this evening are Coach Riggs and members of the Perry Wrestling Team to be acknowledged this evening for their recent accomplishments of being the: State Dual Team Champs, State Individual Team Champions and ranked 6th in the United States. Trustee Laubacher invited Coach Riggs forward to share any comments he would like to make at this time.
Coach Riggs thanked the Board for having them here this evening and gave a brief explanation of how grateful the team felt to accomplish the goals that they have achieved this year.
Trustee Laubacher asked each of the eleven (11) Perry Wrestlers to step forward to receive a Certificate of Achievement and stated that on behalf of the Perry Board of Trustees wanted to recognize and congratulate each one of them on their outstanding accomplishments. On behalf of the Board and the whole Township, Trustee Laubacher also stated how very proud they were of Coach Riggs and these gentlemen.
~Tommy Genetin – State Runner-Up, Senior (Weight Class: 106)
~ Jose Rodriguez – State Runner-Up, Junior (Weight Class: 113)
~ Jake Newhouse – State Runner-Up, Junior (Weight Class: 120)
~ David Bavery – State Champion, Senior (Weight Class: 126)
~ Jason Spencer – 7th Place in State, Junior (Weight Class: 132)
~ Nick Steed – State Runner-Up, Junior (Weight Class: 138)
~ Casey Sparkman – State Champion, Senior (Weight Class: 152)
~ Tony Dailey – State Champion, Senior (Weight Class: 160)
~ Isaac Bast – 3rd Place in State, Senior (Weight Class: 170)
~ Stefano Millin – 5th Place in State, Senior (Weight Class: 220)
~ Seth Maylor – State Qualifier, Senior (Weight Class: 285)
Trustee Chessler addressed Coach Riggs by stating that what he has done for a whole generation of Perry young men and what he has done for not only the reputation of the school but for the entire Perry community is something we can be so proud of. Trustee Chessler stated when Perry teams go out of the county or state or anywhere and we say that we are Perry, we can be so proud of what achievements that Coach Riggs and these young men have accomplished. Trustee Chessler also added that Coach Riggs and the Perry Wrestling program have accomplished the goal that they have chased for so long and so richly deserve and added that he was happy to say that he knows them.
Coach Riggs stated that on behalf of the team, they feel very grateful and stated that it means a lot to be here this evening. Coach Riggs also added that the team will be back again next year.
Upcoming Events:
~Perry Township Bicentennial meeting – 03/25/14 at 7:00 pm at the Township Hall
~Perry Parks accepting applications for part time seasonal employment – details and applications can be obtained at www.perrytwp.com on the Home Page under Community Announcements – Road Department
~Perry Road Levy meeting – Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the Township Hall
Public Speaks-Open Forum:
Timothy Blythe, 2956 Bridgeton St. NW, Massillon, 44646 – Mr. Blythe stated that he wrote a letter to the Board of Trustees that he wished to read aloud. Mr. Blythe did read aloud his letter, letter also attached before the Board.
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Chessler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Lee Laubacher, President Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer