Regular Meeting
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
Reorganizational Meeting
January 5, 2016 7:00 pm
Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance:
Reorganizational Matters:
Swearing In of Trustee ~ Ralph DeChiara, Jr.
Trustee Chessler stated that we have the privilege of swearing in a new Trustee this evening, Ralph DeChiara, and added that the process of him taking office involves the taking of an oath which will be administered by the Fiscal Officer, Joe Schlegel.
Mr. Schlegel asked Trustee DeChiara to please ‘repeat after me’:
I, Ralph DeChiara, Jr., do solemnly and sincerely promise that I will conform to and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of Ohio, and will support the Township and all ordinances and resolutions of Perry Township, Ohio;
I will be loyal and, with strict adherence, obey the duties of my Office set forth by law and will of the citizens of Perry Township, Ohio.
Appointment of Board President
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board appoint Doug Haines to serve as the Perry Township Board of Trustees President for the year 2016; Seconded by Trustee DeChiara.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Appointment of Vice President
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board appoint Craig Chessler as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the year 2016; Seconded by Trustee DeChiara.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Establish 2016 Annual Compensation for Board and Fiscal Officer per ORC 505.24
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board approve the establishment of the 2016 Annual Compensation for the Board of Trustees and the Fiscal Officer pursuant to ORC 505.24; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Establish a Wage Schedule for all Non Union Bargaining Units
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board establish a wage schedule for all non union bargaining positions for the year 2016; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL HALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Set Monthly Day and Time for Regular Meetings/Work Sessions, Early Starts as Needed
Trustee Haines made a motion to set the monthly day and time for the Regular Meetings as the First and Third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm and Work Sessions as needed; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Reappoint Personnel to Fiduciary and Non-Bargaining Unit Positions to Include Benefits, Terms and Conditions of Employment
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board reappoint personnel to fiduciary and non-bargaining unit positions which will include benefits, terms and conditions and terms and conditions of employment; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Approve Receipt of All Advances from County Auditor on Property Taxes
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board approve the receipt of all advances from the county auditor on property taxes; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Consider Accepting the Approval of the 2016 Township Budget – $12,456,591.36
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board accept the budget for Perry Township for 2016 and approve it in the amount of $12,456,591.36; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Set Mileage Reimbursement at .54 cents Per Mile Per Current IRS Rates
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board set the mileage reimbursement at .54 cents per mile per the current IRS rates; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Authorize Fiscal Officer to Invest Interim Funds and Conduct Operational Transfers Within Funds as Available and Necessary
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board authorize the Fiscal Officer to invest interim funds and conduct operational transfers within funds as available and necessary; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Establish Rate of Reimbursement for Uniform Clothing Allowance for Non Union Personnel Limits as Follows:
- 1. Police Chief – $1,200
- 2. Road Superintendent and Assistant Road Superintendent – $400.00
- 3. Establish Uniform Allowance for Fire Chief and Deputy Chiefs to be Equal to Employees of Collective Bargaining Units
- 4. Zoning Inspector – $500.00
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board establish a rate of reimbursement for uniform clothing allowance for non union personnel limited as stated in the above numbered 1-4 allowances; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, abstain.
Consider the Appointment for Another Term – Keith Holland as Board of Zoning Appeals Member and Doyle Parcell as Zoning Commission Member and Board of Zoning Appeals Alternate Position to be Determined at a Later Date
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board authorize the reappointment of Keith Holland to the Board of Zoning Appeals for another term and Doyle Parcell to the Zoning Commission for another term; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Consider Utilizing GovDeals.com Auction Site for Calendar Year 2016
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board resolve to utilize GovDeals.com as the auction site for the calendar year 2016; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Excused absence: None.
Additions/Deletions to Agenda:
Trustee Chessler indicated that there are two (2) additions to the Agenda: under the Road Department; the Board has received a memo from the Road Superintendent requesting that the two (2) casual part time employees be terminated. Trustee Chessler made a motion to add that to the Agenda under Item “K.” of the Road Department; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Trustee Chessler stated that under Zoning/Departmental Reports makes a motion to add as an item to consider the hiring of Karl Kraus as Assistant Zoning Inspector to be hired at a rate of pay of $15.00 per hour to start on January 15, 2016 and to work no more than an average of 28 hours per week; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests:
Recognition of Officer Joshua Luke’s Years of Service and Resignation
Trustee Haines asked Officer Josh Luke to please come forward. Trustee Haines indicated that Officer Luke will soon be making a move with his family to the Columbus area to continue to pursue his career as a police officer. Trustee Haines shared several details about Josh; he grew up in Perry Township and comes from a large family with strong roots here in the Township as well. In June 2006, Officer Luke committed himself to the Perry Township Police Department and has been helping to create a safer place for all of our families in this community since that time.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Trustee Haines presented Josh with an award for his ten (10) years of service to the Township – “in recognition of Officer Joshua K. Luke, thank you for your outstanding service and commitment to the Perry Township Police Department and community. 6-23-06 to 1-10-16 –The Perry Township Board of Trustees.”
Officer Luke stated that he wanted to thank his family and fellow officers for being here this evening and acknowledged that it has been a long ten years full of good experiences. Officer Luke stated that he will miss everyone and the community and added that he has learned a great deal but was anxious to start his new employment, stating that he very much appreciated everyone’s support.
Brief Recess
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board accept Officer Josh Luke’s resignation dated December 28, 2015 with his last day at the Perry Township Police Department to be on January 10, 2016; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Communications:
Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval: None.
Township Business requiring Board Action: None.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business:
Fiscal Officer:
Trustee Haines made a motion to approve bills for the week ending December 22, 2015 in the amount of $4,847.15 and bills and payroll for the week ending December 29, 2015 in the amount of $190,041.69 for a combined total of $194,888.84; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Administration:
Consider EPA Permit $1,500
Administrator Fetzer stated that attached for the Board’s review is the invoice from the Ohio EPA regarding the annual discharge fee in the amount of $1,500; this permit is applicable to all MS-4 operators pursuant to ORC 374.11 (L)(6). Administrator Fetzer indicated that over five hundred (500) entities in the State of Ohio are included in this, all townships, villages and cities are all required to obtain this mandated permit concerning storm water discharge.
Trustee Chessler stated that with the same consternation and opposition that he has every year in paying this unfunded mandate, makes a motion that the Board approve the payment in the amount of $1,500 to be paid to the Ohio EPA for our annual discharge fee as an MS-4; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Fire Department:
Consider Ratification of the Fire Department Contract
Trustee Chessler stated that this was a matter commenced last year in late November/early December and was the re-negotiation of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with our paid personnel in the Fire Department. Trustee Chessler indicated that as he has done with the Police Department and the Road Department as well, the lion’s share of the credit goes to Chief Martin and to Law Director Hall; the Chief did a lot of the background work in reviewing the prior contracts and coming up with a list of things that we wanted to address at the negotiation table. Law Director Hall handled the difficult job of representing us at the negotiating table. Trustee Chessler stated that we now have a mature contract and we have a group of firefighters and a representative that came and had serious and meaningful discussions. Trustee Chessler added that he thought that there were items beyond just economic issues that were important to the Chief and added that he thought they were successful in reaching an agreement that will be effective for the next three (3) years.
Trustee Chessler stated that he would like to express the gratitude that we owe to the Chief and to the Law Director for this and will ask if they would like to add any comments regarding this current agreement.
Fire Chief Martin stated that we need to thank Local 3960 for their participation in the agreement and added that they recognized they are all trying to reach a deal that would be fair and equitable for everybody.
Law Director Hall stated that Trustee Chessler modestly downplays his contribution; he was essential in getting these contacts put together. Mr. Hall added that Chief Martin was stellar, this is his best work to date adding that he has had a great impact on the Fire Department. Mr. Hall stated that both Trustee Chessler and Chief Martin make his job easy.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board accept and ratify a three (3) year contract with the IAFF and the Perry Township Board of Trustees as that agreement is set forth in the documents that the Board has; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, abstain.
Trustee Chessler inquired of Chief Martin in regard to how many originals would be needed. Chief Martin indicated that the one original to be kept with Fiscal Officer Schlegel as the keeper of the public record would be fine. Trustee Chessler indicated that each Board member also has a copy for their own record.
Police Department: None.
Road Department:
Trustee Chessler indicated that the Board has a memo dated December 17, 2015 from the Road Superintendent requesting that the two (2) casual part time employees, Anthony Andreotti and Justin Burns be terminated; their last day of employment was October 26, 2015. Trustee Chessler made a motion that based on the request of the Road Superintendent, Anthony Andreotti and Justin Burns are terminated from employment with Perry Township assigned to the Road Department; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Law Director:
Consider Fact Finder Police Union Contract
Law Director Hall indicated that he asked for this item to be put under his Agenda item instead of Chief Pomesky adding that we too have concluded the contract with the Police Patrolmen and Sergeant’s Unions. Mr. Hall indicated that this was probably the most difficult negotiations of all of the unions that we have. Mr. Hall stated that we went to Fact Finding in late December and added that it was an all-day affair. Mr. Hall stated that we began at 9:30 am and didn’t wrap up until approximately 6 pm. Mr. Hall stated that the Fact Finder issue to report on December 22, 2015, by law, we had seven (7) days to accept or reject this; the Fact Finding report was very balanced, very fair and very favorable with both the department and to the union. Mr. Hall stated that for most of the agreements it was immediately agreed that the difficult, contentious issues came down right down the middle. Mr. Hall stated that he recommended to the Board to not take action to reject the Fact Finding report. Mr. Hall indicated that as a result of his recommendation, the Fact Finders report becomes your new contract by operation of law and added that he is working with the FOP to formalize that and will present it at the meeting on the 11th, but the new contact basically provides financially, a three year contract, a 2% pay raise and the only substantial change is a minor increase in uniform allowance as was earlier indicated from $1,000 to $1,200. Mr. Hall stated that it is without any hesitation that he recommends that the Board not reject that. Mr. Hall stated that finally, the Union did take a formal vote and they did vote to accept the Fact Finding report so we now have an agreed contract and will become effective, Mr. Schlegel, January 1, 2016. Mr. Hall stated that as soon as he gets the formal documents, he will forward copies to everybody and to the Board.
Trustee Chessler stated that he had one comment at this point and added that it comes under the category, “with age, comes wisdom”. Trustee Chessler stated that over the years he has been in this hall when the room has been full and Law Director Hall has said some things; at least this time, when he said how difficult the police can be, he waited until they left the room (laughter). Trustee Chessler stated that it is not because they are difficult, but it is a difficult, contentious process. Trustee Chessler stated that everybody came to the table prepared, acted in good faith and pulling on their end. It’s a good tug of war and added that he thinks that it wound up to be a very fair contract. Trustee Chessler stated kudos to Chief Pomesky for being equally well prepared and having reviewed the contract to get the Township the best of the bargain. Trustee Chessler added that he thought it was by agreement that they knew we would not be taking action, not that we are opposing it or rejecting it in any way, but this was a way for this to become a contract and move forward.
Trustee Haines verified that no action was needed tonight. Trustee Chessler stated that was correct.
Zoning:
Trustee Chessler stated that the Board previously, in October or November, conducted interviews to hire an assistant for Zoning Inspector Weckbacher to help him catch up and keep up with many of the tasks that get overwhelming as the year goes on. Trustee Chessler stated that we were limited because the budget did not allow us to act immediately on that; it was not as though we felt as though we didn’t have a good candidate. Karl Kraus was the candidate that the Board members at the time were unanimous in thinking that he would be an ideal fit for a part time position, that is what he was looking for and he is anxious to start the job and would bring very good people skills as well as a wealth of experience in public service; he worked with the City of Canton and was on council there.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board offer employment to Karl Kraus in the position of Assistant Zoning Inspector; that job to commence on January 15, 2016 at a rate of pay of $15.00 per hour not to exceed an average of 28 hours per week; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Parks: 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.
Announcements:
~Ohio Division of Liquor Control Notice of Tutto Italiano Everything Italian LLC, DBA Vincent’s Pasta 4905 W. Tuscarawas St., Perry Township Canton applying for a B New Permit #9114903 – Responses must be postmarked no later than 02/04/16
Public Speaks-Open Forum: None.
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Haines made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 pm; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. DeChiara, yes.
Doug Haines, President Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer