Nelson Twp – Officials present at the April 2, 2014 trustee meeting were fiscal officer J. David Finney and township trustees Joe Leonard, Mike Elias, and Tom Matota. Also present were, Roads Supervisor Chuck Vanek, Zoning Inspector Anna Mae VanDerHoeven, and Community House Caretaker Michelle Cmunt.
As the first order of business, Finney presented the minutes of the special meeting & regular meeting from March 19 for approval. Matota made a motion to accept the minutes as presented; Elias seconded the motion. All trustees voted to approve the minutes
Finney presented the trustees with the fund status report showing the balance of the various township funds. The trustees were also presented with a listing of bills and wages to be paid totaling 31,887.21. Elias made a motion to pay the bills and wages as presented, the motion was seconded by Matota.
Cmunt reported a plumbing leak in the Nelson Community House. The trustees instructed Cmunt to contact Silver Creek Plumbing and schedule repairs as soon as possible. The water pump for the Community House will be turned off until repairs can be made.
VanDerHoeven reported that she had turned in her March Zoning Report, and that she received a call from Martin Byler. Byler is still working with the Ohio EPA to put privies in for their next Amish school. Once that is complete he will be applying for a conditional use permit for the Pixley Farm property.
Robert LoConti from Cleveland, representing Cleveland Agora, and in this case, a contractor for the Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, was present to update the township on his plans to find a 501c3 or 501c6 organization to partner with to secure a temporary liquor license enabling on-premises alcohol sales at the Quarry Park during five summer events. LoConti understands that the Quarry Park has a bad reputation locally, but assured the trustees that the events he is managing for the park would be run professionally. The trustees have scheduled a special meeting on April 23rd at 7pm to discuss the Quarry Park and allow residents to express their concerns.
Matota read from a letter from the County Engineer regarding ownership of the Nelson Circle. It was determined that as the circle is wrapped by State Route 305 it is up to the state to determine right of way. The trustees’ request to determine ownership of the Nelson Circle property has been passed along to ODOT who will then pass their findings back though the County.
After Elias presented options for purchasing a new boom mower and tractor, there was a discussion amongst the trustees. Fiscal Officer Finney recommended purchasing the mower from Dexter outright, and financing the mower from John Deere. Matota would like to see the current tractor and mower sent to auction with a reserve of $10,000. No decision has been made in that regard at this time.
A motion to purchase the boom mower from Dexter for $33,865 was made by Matota and seconed by Elias. The motion carried with a vote of 3:0. Elias then made a motion to purchase a John Deere model 6105D per the specifications listed by John Deere for $39,898, pending financing. Matota seconded the motion. All trustees were in agreement, and voted in favor.
Resolutions were passed certifying the expenses related to the Move Ohio Forward demolitions on Pierce, Hopkins and Parkman roads ($13,561.78 Parkman; $9,082.25 Hopkins; $12,420.08 Pierce Road). Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were also issued so that Portage County Land Utilization can pay for the removals. MOUs are agreements that state the township will collect the money for Portage County Land Utilization. MOUs were signed for Move Ohio Forward demolitions on Newell Ledge Road, Kyle Road, Parkman Road, and Hopkins Road.
Leonard reported that he has been in contact with the salt barn vendor. The township needs to have zoning information sent to the County Building Department. Township is exempt from needing a variance. Once received by the Building Department the information will be reviewed, and the project should be “good to go”.
The fuel tank project is awaiting estimates.
The head of the drug task force of the Portage County Sheriff’s Department will have a presentation on drug awareness in Portage County at the Nelson Community Center on April 10th at 7pm.
The trustees have received a letter from legal counsel Chris Meduri regarding vacating Shanks-Down Road. A joint public meeting between all government entities involved will need to be held to ensure all townships are in agreement.
In order to continue participation in the ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Program a contract needs to be received by April 8th. Matota would like to bump the amount ordered up to 375 tons as the township will have the ability to store unused salt in the new salt barn. Matota made a motion to participate in the ODOT Cooperative Purchasing Program at the higher tonnage. Elias seconded the motion. Matota made a motion to stay with the Winter Use plan (as opposed to having all the salt delivered up front in the summer). Leonard seconded that motion. All trustees voted in favor.
Elias made a motion to cancel Culligan water service at the township garage now that a good well has been dug, and Leonard seconded the motion. All trustees were in agreement.
Cmunt reported that the baseball field schedule filled up fast with the only remaining openings being Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Portable toilet service has also been lined up.
Spencer’s Water Service has donated their salt-water removal and well servicing as a “donation in kind”.
Elias made a motion to authorize the purchase of American Flags as needed a not to exceed $1000. Matota seconded the motion. All trustees voted in favor.
Matota has spoken with Meduri about publicity for the upcoming ballot measure regarding changes in zoning for home businesses. The township can advertise the issue as long as no direction is given how to vote. Matota would like to see it promoted on the web and in print so that residents are encouraged to get out and vote one way or another.
Leonard spoke with Finney about Pixley Park playground equipment. He would like to see up to $20,000 allocated from the inheritance tax fund. Following a discussion amongst the trustees and the residents in attendance Leonard made a motion to increase the appropriations to the general fund by $18,500 to cover the cost of playground equipment and installation. Elias seconded the motion. Elias and Leonard voted in favor, Matota abstained from voting.
Rodger Petit provided the trustees with an update on the Veterans Memorial project. The group will be meeting with the architect soon. There is a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser scheduled for on May 31st—more information on that at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned after a short executive session.
