Richfield Township Board of Trustees
December 4, 2003

The regular meeting of the Richfield Township Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:05 p.m. with the following in attendance:

Laurie Peters Gilmore, Vice Chairperson
David Wyatt, Trustee
Laurie Pinney, Clerk
Linda Bowmer, Office Administrator
Dale Canter, Police Chief
Joe Stopak, Fire Chief

Approval of minutes of November 20, 2003 meeting postponed until next regular Trustees meeting, to allow all three members to be present.

Motion to approve warrant report, items #10150 to 10210 made by Mr. Wyatt, seconded by Ms. Gilmore, with unanimous approval of those members present.

Ms. Pinney provided the clerk report. A request was made to hire Don Titko, of Com-Tech of Kent to assist with closing out OTAS system for 2003 and transferring program and data to new computer system. Motion made to hire Mr. Titko for assistance as needed made by Ms. Gilmore, seconded by Mr. Wyatt, with unanimous approval of those members present.

Chief Canter provided the police report. There were 424 total calls in November, with 86 in the township. This is the lowest percent (20%) of calls that the township has ever incurred since contracting with the village police department. Mrs. Mihalek, who passed away recently, left one-sixth of her estate to the police and fire departments. The shop with a cop program is ready to go ahead on December 13. Approximately 60-75 children are expected to participate.

Chief Stopak provided the fire report. There were 63 calls in November. The township had five fire and four rescue calls. The new squad will be ready next week, after several delays. The new squad will provide a more comfortable ride for passengers and more ease of use for the medics. Jason Purkey is back from Africa and reports having a very good experience there. He is to be commended for serving his country overseas. Mr. Wyatt asked how long the new squad is expected to last. Chief Stopak replied that it will be kept for ten years as the first-line unit, then will be replaced and used for at least five more years as the second line unit for backup. Depending on costs associated with keeping multiple units, they may consider keeping three units at some point.

Zoning report – none.

Road report – none, has had one snowstorm so far and are ready for the next.

Ms. Bowmer provided the administration report. The township has settled into the new facilities at the old Village recreation center. We have been getting a number of hunting related calls, since gun season just opened on Monday. She attended a program for emergency management this week, which was very useful.

In new business, Ms. Gilmore reported that the township has been checking into modifying the trash-hauling contract to provide weekly recycling pickup. Beginning the week of January 5, 2004, weekly recycling could begin at an additional cost of $.86 per household per month. The township is applying jointly with the village for grant funding that would reimburse the township for about half of the increase amount. Motion made by Ms. Gilmore and seconded by Mr. Wyatt to amend the existing contract with J & J Refuse to allow trash pickup with weekly recycling for a fee of $9.35 per household per month. Motion approved unanimously by those in attendance.

Motion made by Ms. Gilmore, seconded by Mr. Wyatt to cancel the next regular meeting, scheduled for December 18, 2003. Motion passed by unanimous approval of those in attendance. Meeting will be re-scheduled if need arises. Next regular meeting will be the 2004 organizational meeting and will be held during the first part of January, at a date to be announced.

Motion made by Ms. Gilmore, seconded by Mr. Wyatt to change employee holidays from December 24 to December 26 and December 31 to January 2. Motion passed by unanimous approval of those in attendance.

Ms. Gilmore provided an update on discussions regarding recreation center planning. The next meeting will be held on December 10 to discuss costs for various components.

Mr. Wyatt discussed a notice that Adelphia sent notifying the township that a fee of $8.95 per month for residents wanting a high definition converter box will be imposed. Adelphia informed the township of the process to challenge the fee amount and provided the required form. Mr. Wyatt will look into the benefits of challenging the fee before moving forward.

Citizen’s forum – none.

Motion to adjourn made by Ms. Gilmore at 7:36 p.m., seconded by Mr. Wyatt and received unanimous approval of those in attendance.

_______________________ _________________________
Chairwoman Clerk

Return to Township Minutes

Last updated: 02/25/2006