Freedom Twp. – The Public Hearing Township Meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. on Thursday December 3,, 2015. The public hearing was opened to review changes and additions to the Zoning Article VIII, definitions and review of any changes proposed to any amendments to the code.
Trustee Zizka noted that the Notice of this public hearing was placed in the Record Courier on November 22, 2015.
The changes, revisions and additions to the definitions (Article VIII), were reviewed and read aloud for consideration, starting with Section 801.
Trustee Hammar made a motion that was seconded by Trustee Zizka to re-type the definition portion of the Zoning Code Book to reflect the correction and rejections. The zoning commission will be given these changes.
A motion was made by Trustee Hammar and seconded by Trustee Zizka to send back to the Zoning Commission the proposed Amendment changes to 201.1, 201.3, and 201.4 for reconsideration.
The public hearing meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm and the regular township meeting followed.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Roy Martin called the Regular Township Meeting to order on Thursday December 3, 2015. Present were Trustees Roy Martin, James Hammar, John Zizka, Fiscal Officer Karen Martin, Tony VanSteenberg, Mr. Charles Duffield, Mr. Dan Grafton, Jeff Derthick, Mr. Kruis; Rich Gano arrived later.
During the public comment time, Mr. Kruis presented to the board some questions that the Radio Club had concerns with for the weekend field training in 2016. More information will be gathered by the club and presented at a later meeting.
Zoning: Trustee Martin read a report from Rich Gano concerning zoning issues. Rich arrived, continued his report, and answered questions from the trustees. Rich had contacted Mr. Corcoran about the limit of additions to the mobile home. There was a discussion about mobile home additions having to be factory made and not stick- built, further checking will be done.
There will be a meeting with the new building inspector and the trustees on December 17, 2015. Trustee Zizka had voiced concerned with the lack of consideration from the building department staff about information and returning of phone calls.
Positions for the zoning boards need to be decided for renewal or replacement of the members who have terms up for renewal beginning 2016. The boards will be notified about the renewals, if they are interested in continuing service, they notify the trustees in writing.
Roads: Tony gave the road report stating that road signs have been received and have been installed where needed. He noted that the boom mower had a cylinder pin come out and had broken the lift cylinder. After checking availability and costs, he had to order the parts from Orion and they have been delivered.
Tony stated that the hot water heater at the Townhall went bad and had to be replaced. The new water heater was purchased from Lowe’s at $369 for a 30 gallon tank and has been installed. Tony stated that he and Butch and Karen Martin did some decorating at the Townhall, inside and outside on the pavilion and the hall.
Burrows well drilling came to the park building and brought heat tapes for the well and drained the pipes for the winter. A lock will be installed on the water hydrant to prevent vandalism. Tony reported that he had notified Ohio Edison of the park light needing repositioning.
It was noted that the light on the flag pole at the Townhall has burned out again and needs replacement.
Unfinished Business: New employee evaluation forms will be made and will be filled out at the beginning of the New Year.
Meetings: The last meeting of the year will be held on December 30, 2015, at 10 a.m. A special meeting with Chris Meduri and Cliff McGuire to update on the Public Square issue will be held December 17, 2015, at 12 noon. Also, a meeting will be set up to meet the new Health Department representative. All meetings will be advertised in the Record Courier.
A motion was made by Trustee Martin and seconded by Trustee Hammar to have the inventory meeting on January 11, 2016, at 10 a.m. to meet at the Freedom Townhall.
Misc: Trustee Martin read some miscellaneous letters that had been received.
Trustee Martin made a motion that was seconded by Trustee Hammar to approve gift cards for Christmas for the employees.
Trustee Martin noted that Jeff Derthick has officially won the election as the newt rustee and congratulated him.
The changes for the Zoning Definition additions and corrections will be typed and sent to Mary Ann Schaefer to distribute at the Zoning Commission meeting coming up.
After the paying of bills, the December 3 meeting was adjourned.
The End of Year Regular Township Meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. on Wednesday December 30, 2015. Present were Trustees Roy Martin, James Hammar, John Zizka, Fiscal Officer Karen Martin, Road Supervisor Tony VanSteenberg, and residents Mr. Charles Duffield, Mr. Dan Grafton, Mr. Jeff Derthick, Mr. Eldon West, Mr. Mike West, Mrs. Kathy Zizka.
The minutes of the December 3, 2015 Public Hearing and the December 3, 2015 regular meeting minutes were approved. Trustee Martin made a motion that was seconded by Trustee Hammar to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2015 and December 18, 2015 Special Meeting.
Zoning: Trustee Martin read a report from Rich Gano as he was unable to attend. There were no new permits or issues. Rich is going to post a summary of the activity for the year.
Roads: Tony gave the road report stating that they have been cleaning the road ditches. Also, since the weather has been holding, they are still working on mowing the berms.
He had to put up several high water signs after the heavy rains this week.
Tony suggests that the township send a letter to the property owner on King Road with concerns about a beaver dam backing up the water. Tony attempted to pull some debris from the ditch at the culvert, but it still needs to be cleaned and the beaver dam torn out. It does appear the water level has gone down some, but not enough. Trustee Hammar made a motion and Trustee Zizka seconded it, to have the clerk send a letter from the township requesting assistance with the beaver dam situation.
The road crew has also brought to the trustees’ attention that they have been working on the culvert on Vair Road. The 12 inch culvert is concrete and in 4 foot sections, the ends are starting to deteriorate and pull apart. It will be necessary to keep monitoring it for more issues.
A flat tire had to be replaced by Somerel Tire. The starter on the backhoe has been replaced and there appear to be no new problems starting up.
Trustee Zizka commended the road crew on the berm mowing and stated that the township roads look much better.
Fiscal Officer: Karen Martin reported that the Official Certificate of Estimated Resources as presented by the Portage County Auditor had not been officially accepted by the Trustees in August. After review of the certificate and the submitted budget, it was evident that Freedom Township has had a reduction in the approved budget from the county. The submitted budget was for $531,328 but the Budget Commission approved $352,905. This reduction will effect the pay scale and township income for 2016. A motion was made by Trustee Hammar and seconded by Trustee Zizka to accept the Official Certificate of Estimated Resources as presented from the Portage County Auditor at $352,905.
A motion was made by Trustee Hammar and seconded by Trustee Zizka to approve Temporary Appropriations for the beginning of 2016 at one-half of the Official Certificate of Estimated Resources.
Karen reviewed what the pay scale will be with the new budget drop. The new trustee and clerk will have an increase in salary but will also be reduced to comply with the new budget.
A motion was made by Trustee Zizka and seconded by Trustee Martin to pay the elected trustees on a 200- day salary based regimen.
A motion was made by Trustee Hammar and seconded by Trustee Zizka to pay dental and vision insurance for Tony VanSteenberg, Leonard Roosa, Roy Martin, John Zizka minus the 15% employee share contribution.
New Business: Trustee Zizka gave a brief report on the December 17 and 18, 2015 meetings.
Karen reported that Working Partners is now University Hospitals Portage Working Partners.
Unfinished Business: New employee evaluation forms will be ready after the first of the year.
Trustee Martin reported that the rental house had another leak around the chimney and JP Contracting was notified and has sealed around the chimney again.
Misc: Trustee Martin thanked Trustee Hammar for his 8 years of service to the township, Trustee Hammar will be retiring on January 1, 2016. Trustee Hammar stated that he would still like to stay involved in any relevant township events and on the historical committee. A meeting will be held by the committee on January 13, 2016, at 1 p.m. at the Community Center.
During the meeting, warrants & EFTs, #8194-#8239 in the amount of $18,779.08 were presented to the Trustees for approval and ordered paid by signature.
A motion was made by Trustee Hammar and seconded by Trustee Zizka to adjourn the End of Year Meeting at 10:31 a.m.
