TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE WORK SESSION
APRIL 1, 2005

The Richfield Township work session was called to order at 1.45pm on April 1, 2005.

Roll call: Trustees present: Shano Cica-Mraz, David Wyatt and Laurie Gilmore
Also in attendance were Road Foreman Jerry Schall, Township Administrator Linda Bowmer and Zoning Inspector Laurie Pinney

In the absence of the clerk, Ms. Bowmer took the minutes. The following topics were discussed.

Road Projects: Mr. Schall recommended that Newton Road be resurfaced with chip and seal at a cost of $4,343 and Riding Run Road be resurfaced with motor pave at a cost of $13,614, funds permitting. After discussion, Ms. Bowmer was asked to place the hiring of Lytle Construction on the next agenda. Mr. Schall also advised that Scobie Road would be resurfaced by the National Park. Ms. Bowmer was asked to check with the county to see if any township roads are on the county schedule for repaving in 2005.

Purchase of truck: Mr. Schall reported that the one-ton truck is not large enough to handle plowing and has required frequent repair. He recommended that a new three-ton truck be purchased, both to better handle plowing on existing township roads and to provide service in the new JEDD area. A rough estimate for the truck was $100,000. Mr. Schall will firm up estimates and present them at the next trustees’ meeting; Ms. Bowmer to put on agenda.

Modular building: A septic application has been submitted to the EPA and we are still awaiting a reply. Linda Bowmer to follow-up with the EPA before the next trustees’ meeting.

Rising Valley Park: Mr. Wyatt reported that our part of the application to the Department of the Interior has been completed and forwarded to Gary Ellsworth at Cleveland Metroparks. Ms. Gilmore asked Mr. Wyatt to check the status of the gate, to ensure that the signs were posted and the reflective tape installed. Mr. Wyatt also agreed to send a letter to residents in the area advising when the gate would become operational. Ms Bowmer was asked to order ‘Entering Summit County’ and ‘Welcome to Richfield Township’ ‘signs to erect on Dunheath Drive.

Fire Contract: The Village has submitted a proposal for an extension to the present fire/EMS contract for a 10 month period at a cost of $252,818.46. Ms. Mraz had issues regarding equipment, specifically the 21 year-old pumper which would be needed in the Township where there is not much public water service. It was agreed that Ms. Mraz would write a letter to the Village in response to their proposal.

Mount St. Augustine – Ms. Mraz explained the background to this proposed expansion of their facilities. Discussions started about two years ago and it looks like the best approach will be to write a new regional district. What they visualize is a self-contained senior community, but they are still in the marketing/survey stage.

Briarwood development: Ms. Mraz said John Slagter would be attending the next meeting to give an evaluation of the Urban Design Center’s proposal. She was meeting with Summit County Soil & Water and someone from the Engineer’s office on April 5th to inspect the culvert on Briarwood Road.

Annexation of Howard Johnson: This property lies within the area designated for the JEDD. There was discussion on how to recoup lost tax revenue if this 2.21 acres was annexed to the Village. Ms. Mraz will check with Mr. Slagter on our options and also to see if the residential annexations of the Ramblewood and Zak properties are eligible for a property tax sharing.

JEDD: Ms. Mraz distributed a map showing the area and properties in the light industrial/office which are affected by the JEDD. This encompasses 149.46 acres including the unusable space utilized for utilities, roads and other infrastructure. Ms Mraz also suggested that the trustees consider hiring an engineering firm to consult on the long term water lines issues with a view to further expansion of water if/as needed in the township.

Ms Gilmore provided a boilerplate prepared by Ryba Architects on building a new town hall. This should be helpful in identifying what our requirements are in building a new town hall.

The work session ended at 3.45 pm.

This page last updated on: 02/25/2006

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