Freedom Twp. – Vice-Chairman Roy Martin called the Regular Township Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, August 4, 2016. Present: Trustees Jeff Derthick and Roy Martin, Trustee Zizka, absent. Present also were the Fiscal Officer Karen Martin and Road Supervisor Tony VanSteenberg. Residents present: Mr. Dan Grafton, Mr. Charles Duffield, Mr. Dave Bultinck, Mr. Tom Mesaros.
The meeting was being taped to facilitate the written minutes. Once the minutes are approved the tape will be reused.
Trustee Derthick made a motion that was seconded by Trustee Martin to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2016 Regular Meeting.
Public Comment: Mr. Bultinck reported that a street light at the Slagle and S.R. 303 is burned out. Tony will report the outage. Mr. Dave Bultinck has requested to use the Townhall for a Park Committee gathering on September 10 at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to try to generate more interest in the Park Committee, if the hall is available.
Zoning: Rich was not present but had reported to Trustee Martin that he had sent a couple violation letters out and had no responses at this time.
Roads: Tony reported that one brush pickup was done on Monday. They have been patching on Wygle, Goodell, Hewins and Gotham Roads. They also have finished the second cutting of roadside mowing. Almost 30 ton of #9 grit has been picked up from Ballentine Sand & Gravel.
Tony stated that 2 trees by the Community Center have been cut down and cleaned up. A community service worker has been doing odd jobs to fulfill his obligation to the court.
Cal-Ohio was contacted about the battery in the backhoe. They gave us a free replacement and upgraded heavier battery. Eckman Tree Service has removed the leaning trees at the Freedom West Cemetery and have cleaned up; they did a good job.
Park: Tony and Butch have removed two dead trees at the Community Park.
Fiscal Officer: An Audit letter was received from the State Auditor, stating that they have accepted and approved the submitted audit. The final payment for Charles Harris & Assoc. has been paid. A post audit conference can be set and at this time it seems that August 18, 2016, would be a good date for everyone to be in attendance. A motion was made by Trustee Derthick and seconded by Trustee Martin to set the post audit conference to be held at the Freedom Townhall on August 18, 3016, at 6:30 pm with the regular meeting to follow. Motion carried 08.04.16.02
Misc: Trustee Derthick reported that the 4-H club would like to paint the pavilion walls on August 10, 2016, at 6 p.m. No keys have been found for the War Memorial. Tony will contact Bica to fix the key problem. Trustee Jeff has the letter stating that we qualify for a $500 grant to be used for community events.
During the meeting, warrants & EFTs, #8523-#8549 in the amount of $16,026.97 were presented to the trustees for approval and ordered paid by signature.
A motion was made by Trustee Derthick and seconded by Trustee Martin to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:56 p.m.
The township trustees meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:30 pm. Attend a meeting – stay informed.
