Work Session
Perry Township Board of Trustees
Work Session
August 9, 2011 7:00pm
The Board has previously reserved the right to take action at this meeting
Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:
Excused absence:
Joyce Fetzer, Administrator
Scott Weckbacher, Zoning Inspector
John Masalko, Road Superintendent
Additions/Deletions to Agenda:
Trustee Capaldi made an addition under “Unfinished Business” for the Board to discuss farm house improvements and the complaint made by Mr. Damon Magenau of 214 Roxbury Ave. NW.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests: None.
Communications: None.
Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval:
Bard Huntsman- 4025 Prosway SW. Mr. Huntsman stated that after reading the “Standard of Coverage Survey” there were recommendations in there regarding personnel. Mr. Huntsman stated that the Township has a survey stating that there needs to be more staffing. Mr. Huntsman stated that according to the study the money is there so if the money is there it should be put into the budget for 2012. Chief Martin stated that there was no analyzation of the budget by the Ohio Fire Chiefs. The study does not say that there is money there for staffing. Chief Martin stated that there are no recommendations there are only strategies. Trustee Laubacher stated that the budget hearing is strictly projection that the Township has to provide to the Budget Commission. Mr. Schlegel stated that this budget hearing is held every year and he asks the Department Heads to turn in a “wish list” for the following year. This is something by law that the Township has to do. The Township has to show a want and a need for the money. Once the Board approves the projected budget the main budget hearing will be held in December.
Township Business requiring Board Action:
New Business:
Trustee Capaldi made a motion to approve bills in the amount of $37,082.51 for the week ending August 9, 2011; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Miss Capaldi, yes.
Fiscal Officer:
2012 Budget Hearing
Mr. Schlegel read the 2012 projected budget for the Budget Commission:
| General Fund | $844,025.00 |
| Motor Vehicle Tax Fund | $41,100.00 |
| Gasoline Tax Fund | $225,700.00 |
| 04 Road & Bridge | $872,572.00 |
| Lighting District | $8,000.00 |
| Police District | $3,086,518.00 |
| Fire District | $2,659,355.00 |
| Road District | $648,580.00 |
| DARE | $20,963.00 |
| PRIDE | $3,500.00 |
| Police Fund | $78,723.00 |
| Park Fund | $54,588.36 |
| Drug Fund | $7,000.00 |
| Insurance Fund | $920,160.00 |
| DUI Fund | $19,500.00 |
| TOTAL | $9,590,284.36 |
Mr. Schlegel stated that he provided the Board with a break down Senate Bill 153. After three (3) years the total three (3) year loss of all departments will be $843,176.00. Mr. Schlegel stated that his biggest concern and the biggest hit will be to the general fund. The total three (3) year loss for the General Fund is $453,029.00. The reason for losing so much money in the General Fund is due to the loss of the estate tax money. As of January 1, 2013 there will be no more estate tax. The average of estate tax funds over the last four years is $266,244.00. The Township is also going to lose twenty-five (25) percent of the undivided local government funds beginning in 2012 and an additional twenty-five (25) percent 2013 totaling a loss of fifty (50) percent or $184,190.00. The loss to the General Fund is going to be pretty dramatic. Mr. Schlegel stated that the General Fund will be ok through 2011 and 2012 but 2013 will be a different story. The Board will have to discuss other ways of bringing revenue into the General Fund. Mr. Schlegel stated that Tuscarawas Township is putting on a 0.5 mill levy for the General Fund because of the loss. Eventually, all Township are going to be putting on levies to replace the loss of funds. Mr. Schlegel stated that he will have some suggestions for the Board at the December meeting.
Trustee Capaldi made a motion that the Board approve the 2012 projected budget for the Budget Commission; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Miss Capaldi, yes.
Trustee Chessler stated that since the projected budget has been approved it will be reviewed by the County Budget Commission. Mr. Schlegel stated that the projected budget is due by August 20, 2011 and he will not hear back from the Budget Commission until the end of the year.
Trustee Capaldi made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 2, 2011 Regular Meeting minutes; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Miss Capaldi, yes.
Administration:
Consider Acknowledgement Signage for the Central Catholic High School- State Championship Baseball Team
The Board discussed acknowledgement signage for the Central Catholic High School- State Championship Baseball Team. Trustee Laubacher stated that Ms. Carrick will send Administrator Fetzer more information and pictures regarding the sign for the Board’s approval at a later date.
Discussion of Fence Damage at 3245 Pine Hills Drive SW- Perry Park (Tree fell onto fence)
Trustee Laubacher stated that a tree fell on the fence at 3245 Pine Hills Drive SW. Trustee Capaldi stated that this is the second time that there has been damage to the same residence due to a tree limb falling. Trustee Laubacher inquired if the Township should go back in that area and have trees trimmed to prevent more damage to other properties. Trustee Capaldi stated that there should be an assessment done to find out if there are large trees that could cause property damage just like any good neighbor would or should. If it is cost prohibitive then there could potentially be a partnership with the property owners. Trustee Chessler asked Mr. Hall to speak about the Township’s legal obligation. Mr. Hall stated that he sent a memorandum to the Board outlining tree laws. Mr. Hall stated that in this situation he agreed with Trustee Laubacher in that the Township should go along the woods to do an assessment and to remove trees but it will probably be cost prohibitive. Mr. Hall stated that it would better to deal with each of these instances on a case by case basis. Mr. Hall stated that Administrator Fetzer advised that Park Superintendent Kenny Shreffler and his employees are in the process of cleaning up the property. Mr. Hall suggested getting an estimate for repair of the fence, verify that the property owners insurance doesn’t pay for the damage, find out the property owners deductible. Under a moral obligation principal pay the Township could pay the difference so that the property owner is not harmed. Then as these problems come up the Township can deal with them on a case by case basis. Trustee Capaldi stated that it doesn’t cost anything to have someone give the Township a cost estimate and assessment of the trees along the property line. Trustee Chessler stated that it would cost some money to have a company come out and identify trees that are dead. Mr. Hall suggested that he could work with Administrator Fetzer and Mr. Shreffler and that the State Forestry Program may have personnel that could come out and help make a determination. Mr. Hall stated that he will work with Administrator Fetzer and Mr. Shreffler to get more information to bring back to the Board so that a firm recommendation can be made.
Unfinished Business:
Damon Magenau- 214 Roxbury- Drainage Concern Update
Trustee Capaldi stated that Mr. Masalko and Mr. Connors went out to assess the complaint made by Mr. Damon Magenau and determined that there is no county easement on the property. The property is located at 214 Roxbury Ave. NW. Mr. Masalko had the Perry Township Road Department clean the ditches. Mr. Masalko suggested to the home owner that they take out their ditch that is piped in. The home sits lower than the road and the surrounding area. By removing the ditch that is piped in it will allow the water to go into the ditch instead of over the yard and into the house. This matter has been followed up with and the home owner was notified by the Road Superintendent.
Farmhouse Improvements
Trustee Capaldi stated that the farmhouse improvement discussion is on hold because the Board is still waiting for three (3) quotes. The quotes may be ready by the next regular meeting.
Discussion of the Communications Committee Findings
Trustee Laubacher inquired how things were going in regarding to the new antennas. Chief Martin stated that all of the Fire Department stuff should have been finished today. Chief Pomesky stated that they only hang up is that they have to get approval to move everything over to the tower. Chief Martin stated that the tower is up and the cable has been run. The housing for all of the equipment has already been installed. Chief Martin stated that B&C Communications stated that Perry Township Fire Department is the only department within the County that has narrow-banded at this time.
Trustee Laubacher stated that several options have been discussed previously regarding the Communications Committee. Trustee Capaldi stated that there were different things that came out as a result of the Communications Committee that each department can take action on individually. Trustee Capaldi inquired what was on the table as far as options. Trustee Chessler stated that the Board has discussed keeping status quo, moving police dispatch to the County system and moving fire dispatch into the current police dispatch. Trustee Chessler stated that another option that has become available is to keep the current dispatcher but to move their location to where the county location is now. Plain Township has followed that path. Trustee Capaldi stated that as far as she is concerned all options are on the table to be explored so that an educated decision can be made by the Board. Trustee Chessler stated that today he was at the SCOG meeting and there was a suggestion to solicit bids for the CAD system. All participants would benefit from that.
Trustee Laubacher inquired what the Fire Department is currently paying for dispatching services. Chief Martin stated that for 2011 the cost is $94,962.00. The cost for 2012 will be based on the number of alarms in 2011. Chief Martin stated that he has numbers based on what CenCom quoted Chief Pomesky for dispatching services and figures of what Mr. Schlegel estimated in-house dispatching to cost. CenCom quoted Chief Pomesky $178,200.00 for dispatching services. Chief Martin stated that Mr. Schlegel figured it would cost approximately $442,000.00 to combine Police and Fire. Trustee Capaldi inquired if that was before equipment costs. Chief Martin stated that the $442,000.00 was for personnel only. Chief Martin stated that he is only comparing numbers and not recommending that dispatch be moved to CenCom.
Trustee Chessler inquired where the departments are going to be five (5) years down the road in terms of radios. Chief Martin stated that the Fire Department is going to be using analog radios because at this point and time nobody has invented a voice pager that will work on digital or 800MHz.
The Board has several options that they have looked into and Trustee Chessler suggested that a spreadsheet be drafted to show an apples to apples comparison of the cost for each options. Each Chief should be looking into what may be needed and or required in the future as well. Trustee Capaldi suggested that this matter be placed on the agenda for the Work Session in November to see how progress is coming along. The Board and Department Heads agreed.
Fire Department: None.
Police Department: None.
Road Department: None.
Law Director: None.
Zoning: None.
Parks: None.
Executive Session(s): None.
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:
- Acknowledgement of Daniel J. Patron- US Marine Crops, age 26, sacrificed his life in Sangin, Afghanistan on August 6, 2011.
- Trustee Capaldi informed the Board that the JEDD has made a recommendation for the Prospect Park.The recommendation will go to the Village to be formally approved. Once that is done, earth will start moving in October.
Public Speaks-Open Forum:
Charles Riegler, 430 Cayuga Circle NW. Mr. Riegler commended that Board on how they handled the matter regarding the Steiner property at the August 2, 2011 Regular Meeting.
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Laubacher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:16pm; Seconded by Trustee Capaldi.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes. Miss Capaldi, yes.
Lee C. Laubacher, President
Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer