The Richfield Township Trustee Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm
on January 13 2003
Roll Call: Trustees: Present – Shano Cica-Mraz, Laurie Gilmore, Robert Hooper
Clerk/Treasurer: Mark Uhrich
Ms. Gilmore made a motion to enter in to executive session at 6:00 p.m. to
discuss employment matters; seconded by Ms. Mraz motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Mraz made a motion to end the executive session at 6:45 p.m. seconded by Mr.
Hooper; motion carried unanimously.
The Trustees will take a short break and reconvene at 7:00 p.m. to conduct the
regular Township business.
Others present: Linda Bowmer-Office Administrator, Laurie Pinney – Zoning
Inspector, Dale Canter – Chief of Police, Jerry Schall – Service Department
Foremen
Ms. Cica-Mraz made a motion to approve the January 9, 2003 Regular Trustee
meeting minutes seconded by Ms. Gilmore; motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Uhrich – informed the Trustees that the Township is scheduled for a State
Audit this year and is tentatively set for the month of April.
Ms. Bowmer presented the Administration report – PERS has changed their name to
OPERS. Adelphia Cable company will be making some channel changes and the
township has not recently fielded many cable service complaints. The new trash
hauling service, J & J, ran in to a few problems in their first couple of weeks,
but they have responded and have worked to resolve the problems. Additional
recycle bins are available upon request.
Mr. Schall presented the Service Department report – We have gone through half
yearly allotment of salt. We have completed the Christmas tree pick-up through
out the community.
Ms. Gilmore made a motion to purchase a new back hoe from Akron Tractor for
$28,500.00 including the trade in of the existing back hoe, seconded by Ms.
Mraz, motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Gilmore announced the resignation of Mr. Scott Rauch, and made motion to
accept his resignation, seconded by Ms. Mraz, motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Pinney asked the Trustees to approve the roll-over of 23 vacation hours from
2002 to 2003.
Ms. Mraz made a motion to approve the roll-over of 23 vacation hours for Ms.
Pinney from 2002 to 2003, seconded by Mr. Hooper, motion carried unanimously.
Police Chief Canter – The police department responded to 124 township calls in
December 2002. A new reporting system was started in January 2003. Copies of
reports will be available in the township office. The DARE classes have started
at Bath Elementary school.
Ms. Mraz stated she is impressed with the new dispatch system in the Village
Police Department.
Ms. Mraz read Resolution 2-2003 and made motion to adopt Resolution 20003,
seconded by Mr. Hooper, motion carried unanimously.
Public Forum
Mr. Bob Luther, 5287 Alger Road, Make sure the new back hoe is insured. Sorry to
hear about Scott Rauch’s resignation are you starting the process to replace
him?
Ms. Gilmore – Yes.
Mr. Tom Sader, 5044 West Streetsboro Road, What is the Trustee’s opinion on the
Ramblewood annexation petition?
Ms. Mraz – We have been looking in to this matter. Summit Count Council is
meeting January 27 to process this matter. The Village of Richfield has reviewed
this matter.
Mr. Sader – The Village has already passed a Resolution accepting this
annexation. The burden will be greater for the existing residents and the timing
is bad in light of the unresolved separation matter.
Ms. Mraz – We can not put off what we are required to do by law. There’s not
much we can do. We just got the County Auditors report on the financial
repercussions to the township and we have not had an opportunity to review this
document.
Mr. Sader – Is it true there are other annexations out there (ready to be
filed)?
Ms. Mraz – The only formal annexation out there is this Ramblewood one. I’m sure
the Village gets many informal request such as, “what if we annex?” But this
Board has not heard of any other annexation requests.
Mr. Sader – Theoretically it’s a tax increase and will diminish the Trustees
ability to function because you will have fewer dollars to work with.
Ms. Gilmore – We don’t know for sure yet the total impact.
Ms. Mraz – Landowners have certain rights, and one of those rights is to request
annexation. The annexation law helps townships, but still there is little we can
do to stop annexations.
In order for the Trustees to attend Summit County Council’s Meeting, Ms. Mraz
made a motion to cancel the January 27 Regular Richfield Township Trustee
meeting, seconded by Ms. Gilmore, motion carried unanimously. We can schedule a
special meeting if necessary.
Mr. Slagter, Richfield Township attorney – Anybody has the right to attend the
Summit County Council meeting and voice their opinion on this matter. It will be
an administrative hearing, so you would be under oath when talking to the
council. The new Ohio annexation law helps townships slightly in these matters.
But once again there is not much we can do to stop an annexation.
Ms. Mraz made a motion to enter in to executive session at 7:45 p.m. to discuss
pending legal matters; seconded by Mr. Hooper motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Gilmore made a motion to end the executive session at 9:20 p.m. seconded by
Mr. Mraz; motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Hooper made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. seconded by Ms.
Gilmore; motion carried unanimously.
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Chairwoman Clerk
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Chairwoman Clerk