The Chester Township Board of Trustees held its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 1. The meeting was scheduled to accommodate the trustees’ travel schedules. Regular business included approval of 16 prior meeting minutes, which are available at www.chestertwp.org for viewing.
Trustees authorized $4,460 to replace siding on the police department garage. The police department will replace its 15-plus year-old sidearms, changing from .45 caliber to a new 9 mm type. Thanks to a special law enforcement plan negotiated by the chief, there will be no cost to exchange 20 guns for new – equivalent retail value at over $8,600. The board expects to spend about $4,000 in holsters.
Jeffery Pausch, the township’s part-time road department worker, is returning to school and as the trustees accept his resignation, they thank him for his fine work. Road Superintendent Rob Pealer presented the Chester Mowing Safety Plan, which included analysis of the elevations for all critical locations and recommendations of areas that should no longer be mowed due to steep slopes.
The nine roads that received chip-seal work have been completed. The majority of the township road crack sealing (9.3 miles) was completed using township staff while the Geauga County Road Department was used to cover an additional two and one-half miles and Pavement Tech, a private contractor, completed 17.8 miles. At the end of the season, trustees will evaluate what the final results to determine the benefits and costs of each option.
The Heath Road joint resurfacing project is almost complete. Until additional funding is developed via a new road levy, grant or public works award, this will mark the last road to be resurfaced in Chester Township.
In preparation for receipt of the two new cot-lift systems as part of an Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation grant, township trustees authorized $2,621 to Finley Fire Equipment for installation on the EMS squads based on the fire chief’s investigation work and recommendation. Trustees also approved the hiring and welcome part-time firefighter/EMT-P Adam Way to its team.
Ken Mantey, of the Chester Kiwanis, gave an update on the new Chester Township Recycling Park that is expected to be open sometime in October. Trustees discussed using this opportunity to expand the township internet locations to include the Chester Pump House for the purpose of monitoring water supply, as well as the Recycle Park.
Trustees signed and issued a proclamation to Deborah F. O’Connor, of the Geauga County Public Libraries, who was the recipient of the 2015 Chapman Award. They thank Deborah for her tireless efforts in support of the many reading actives that have benefited the community.
The board also went into executive session for the purpose of preparation for contract negotiations with the firefighters union.
On the evening of Sept. 3, trustees met in a special session to approve payroll transactions and sign withholding vouchers and checks.
The board would also like to wish Donna Bell Rael Hanford a belated happy birthday.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Ken Radtke, Bud Kinney,
Mike Petruziello, Craig Richter
Chester Township Officials