Regular Meeting

Regular Meetings 

The Perry Township Board of Trustees meets in Regular Meeting format on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM.   

The meetings are held at the Township Hall located at

3111 Hilton Street NW

in Massillon. Regular Meetings include reports by Department Heads, the Law Director, and the Township Administrator.  The public is welcome to offer comments during the Public Speaks portion of the agenda on township related matters.

 

Perry Township Board of Trustees

Regular Meeting

December 1, 2015  7:00 pm

Regular Meeting ~ Early Start Time 6:00 pm

 

Early Start Time – 6:00 pm

Trustee Chessler called the Perry Township Board of Trustees meeting to order and stated that we have previously announced, as we do every year, that we will be conducting our Budget Hearing tonight, December 1, 2015.  Trustee Chessler stated that we have scheduled each department every fifteen (15) minutes, the first of which is a 6:00 pm session scheduled to discuss the General Fund.  Trustee Chessler made note that he and Board member Haines were presently here along with Fiscal Officer Schlegel, the Township Administrator, the Road Superintendent and the Zoning Inspector and welcomed Trustee-elect, Mr. Ralph DeChiara.  Trustee Chessler stated that he would turn the meeting over to Fiscal Officer Schlegel and added that we will begin with the first department which is the General Fund.

2016 Budget Hearings

ZONING

Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that he will summarize the General Fund and referred to Zoning Inspector Weckbacher and the first supporting document that highlights zoning software, GIS software, office equipment, education, miscellaneous, vehicle maintenance and a part time zoning employee at $15.00 per hour.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that this total came to $32,000.00.  Mr. Schlegel stated that for any zoning employee that would be hired, the Trustees would of course have to approve that.

PARKS

Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that each year Road Superintendent Masalko turns in what he would like his budget to be: $296,986.00.  Mr. Schlegel indicated that again, the only thing that has been budgeted for, referred to page 3, budgeted for salaries – $37,740.00; supplies – $5,000; repairs – $2,000.00; $15,000.00 of this is what should be considered for what the Trustees requested for tree maintenance and inquired if the Board would still be interested in doing this.  Mr. Schlegel stated that this is what has been funded.  Mr. Schlegel inquired of the Board and Road Superintendent Masalko if there was anything they would want to add to this.

 Mr. Schlegel stated that his concern for the General Fund is how tight it is and added; we have worked very hard to get the General Fund at a point where we are not spending more money than we are taking in; we are very close to that this year.  Mr. Schlegel stated that the General Fund indicates an income of $970,355.00 adding that this is deceiving because we gave the Police Department $230,000.00 so the income is $740,000.00.  Mr. Schlegel stated that right now we are at $670,000.00 spent through the General Fund so it will be very close and we will be at or break even and that is doing exactly what we did this year for next year.  Mr. Schlegel indicated that once this carry over is gone, it is showing a carry over of $800,000.00, and that actually is going to go up a little bit, but once this carry over is gone, it’s gone.  Mr. Schlegel stated that he doesn’t know of any other way to replenish it unless the Trustees decide to for example, put a park levy on, then that would save some money in the General Fund. 

Mr. Schlegel indicated that the cable franchise fees have been a real plus; we have actually received a lot more money this year because after evaluating this and after it was indicated that they had to pay quarterly, Mr. Schlegel added that he had them bring it up to date which brought in extra money for us; we will bring in franchise fees in the amount of $307,000.00 every year. 

Mr. Schlegel inquired if the Board would want to add anything or leave it the way that it is.  Trustee Haines inquired of Road Superintendent Masalko what the equipment was like as far as the mowers and the trailers and trucks.  Mr. Masalko indicated that they could get by with the mowers, but added that the green pick up is out and briefly summarized the condition of the other vehicles and equipment.  Trustee Haines suggested that maybe next year, if all the monies are not used for the trees, it might be possible to purchase a used truck that is only a few years old.

Road Superintendent Masalko stated that he is getting a lot of heat at Central because of the condition of the tennis courts.  A brief discussion regarding this matter followed.  Mr. Masalko indicated that the best way to fix the tennis court surface is to completely resurface and that would be approximately $40,000.00.  Trustee Chessler indicated that regarding the tennis courts, he has always been of the opinion that we, as the Township, are in the business of recreation not competition.  By using the courts as recreation, there is not a need for them to be at competition level and added that is not what we are in business for.  Trustee Chessler referenced a lease agreement and added that we have done the same thing at Hartwick Park and the tennis courts in that location.  Trustee Chessler stated that we took a lot of heat from them when we didn’t live up to the standards they were expecting.  Trustee Chessler added that he is open to a partnership if Central would want to engage in that.  Further discussion regarding the condition of other township park basketball courts took place. 

Trustee Chessler inquired of Fiscal Officer Schlegel if there were other areas in regard to the General Fund that the Board gets to decide to reallocate what is already been assigned.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that this can be done, but added that you need carry-over to do it.  Mr. Schlegel stated that everything (indicated for 2016) pretty much lines up with 2015.  Trustee Chessler made reference to the appropriations listed for 2016 and inquired if the Board could take part in a decision to take from one category of the General Fund to put into another category.  Mr. Schlegel briefly explained the end result of doing this and indicated that the only category this could be done from would be the 1-A-26 and explained that this is where our carry over is sitting.   

ADMINISTRATION

Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that Administrator Fetzer had inadvertently given him the previous year budget and indicated for the Board to please replace it with the correct budget that he was handing out, for reference. 

Administrator Fetzer indicated that one of the items of the 2016 projected budget would be the new server installation and stated that this figure may be a little high and indicated that it would probably be more like $13,000.00-$14,500.00.  Administrator Fetzer also referenced another large amount in regard to the replacement of the Welcome Perry Township signs and briefly indicated the quote for the repair  of the supports that the signage stands upon; upon the Board’s direction can also obtain two additional quotes as well.  In regard to the security of the Administration building, Adminstrator Fetzer stated that she left that item on the proposed budget since the Board has voiced concerns regarding this matter.

Administrator Fetzer referenced the Parks Department and the need for repair to the basketball courts in the Township parks and added that the past Perry Township Rotary donations in the amount of $5,000.00 would be a possible resource should the Board choose to do so.

ROAD DEPARTMENT

Fiscal Officer Schlegel indicated that Road Superintendent Masalko’s budget for the Road Department is always very tight.  Mr. Schlegel stated that one good thing that is going to happen to us this year, adding that this is also in the General Fund, is that the Bureau of Worker’s Comp is going to be down about 45 to 50% in 2016.  Mr. Schlegel stated that in looking at the Road Superintendent’s budget, he was funded everything that he asked for.  Mr. Schlegel indicated that when we were going over his budget, the Road Department lost several people that the Board hasn’t replaced because of budgetary concerns.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel indicated that Road Superintendent Masalko came to him and inquired how he could get several of those people replaced, one of them being a full time employee.  Mr. Schlegel stated that Road Superintendent’s compromise was doing away with seasonal part time employees.  Mr. Schlegel stated that while putting a pen to those figures, salary-wise it came to approximately $25,000; that was able to be fit into the budget. 

Trustee Laubacher inquired what that $25,000 figure represented.  Mr. Schlegel stated that it represented the salary figures of the seasonal part time employees that the Road Superintendent is asking to do away with.  Mr. Schlegel stated that a full time employee was able to be budgeted for, indicating that this would be a Trustees’ decision.  

Trustee Haines verified that this ($25,000) is getting rid of two seasonal help employees.  Mr. Schlegel indicated that was correct. 

Trustee Laubacher inquired if Road Superintendent Masalko would still hire part time employees for snow plowing.  Road Superintendent Masalko indicated that he would. 

Trustee Haines inquired when Road Superintendent Masalko was looking to hire a full time employee; Mr. Masalko indicated in January. 

 More brief discussion took place regarding salt and paving.  Trustee Chessler inquired as to what happens to any monies that are not completely used when they have been budgeted for a specific item and are sitting in that specific Road Department account.  Mr. Schlegel stated that it stays there and it can be moved within that fund per the Road Superintendent.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel indicated that one of the problems that the Road Superintendent has, adding that he understands why he has this problem, but he does not carry any money over.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel indicated that if all the Department Heads had no carry over, we would not be able to meet payroll in January.  Mr. Schlegel stated that it would be ideal to have some carry over in the Road Department, as much as possible, and added that he just wanted to make that point.

Police Department

Fiscal Officer Schlegel referred to page 7 of the appropriations sheet.  Mr. Schlegel stated that Chief Pomesky is very knowledgeable in regard to salaries and the police levies after sitting down together to go over these figures.  Mr. Schlegel indicated that the carry over for the Police Department is going to be approximately $30,000.

Trustee Laubacher inquired in regard to the unemployment compensation and Mr. Schlegel stated that this was a very good question adding that we would only have one and indicated that we would have to move some money from one account into the unemployment compensation account. 

Police Chief Pomesky stated that the most significant aspect to the upcoming budget is in tools and equipment.  Chief Pomesky stated that we are at the point where the majority of our vehicles are starting to reach the end of their service level and it is time to update the fleet.  Chief Pomesky also indicated that we have budgeted for some computer updates.  Chief Pomesky stated that he would also like to look at potentially hiring three (3) additional hires.

Fiscal Officer indicated that he would recommend that that the Police Department hold off on hiring until possibly September.  Trustee Haines made reference to the three (3) new police officer hires made in 2015.  Police Chief Pomesky verified that the new hire process is a very expensive process. 

Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that if we could bypass 2016 and have some carryover for 2017, we could reassess and determine additional hiring at that time.  Trustee Haines verified that we would have a better idea when the second half taxes come in.

Trustee Chessler indicated that an argument by the union representative whereby we just passed a levy and we are sitting on all this money isn’t true.  Fiscal Officer confirmed this.  Trustee Haines indicated that it needs to be understood that we did not collect all the taxes on that new money and therefore that has caused a shortage.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel verified that as the Board is aware, we have lost personal property taxes adding that Chief Pomesky and the police department are not in any danger, but wanted to confirm that he would like to be at the point where there is carry over money. 

Fire Department

Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that he and Chief Martin got together in the middle of the year to put together some numbers to show how much a fulltime paramedic would cost.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel indicated that Chief Martin is very familiar with his budget and referred to Chief Martin to further explain his budget.  Chief Martin made reference to the budget that would fund the five (5) additional people so that we can open up Station 2 and 3 on a 24 hour, 365 days a week schedule;  Chief Martin referenced that from 2008 to this point, this is a very significant accomplishment.  Chief Martin stated that it really is a credit to everybody to go from that volunteer component which had a very irregular response time to a more assured response time.

Trustee Chessler inquired in reference to the renovations at Fire Stations 2 and 3; Chief Martin gave a brief explanation in that regard and also made mention of other projects that would have to be addressed.  Chief Martin indicated that in regard to the replacement of the SCBA’s, self contained breathing apparatus equipment, he was looking in the direction of any grant monies to hopefully fund this purchase.  Chief Martin stated that in regard to overall equipment, he felt that we were in pretty good shape, but indicated that the worst part were our facilities.

Trustee Chessler inquired of Chief Martin if he could detail the contracts and expenses.  Chief Martin indicated that we have things like dispatching contracts; there is a contract on the cots and heart monitors.  Trustee Chessler verified that these were part of maintenance contracts. 

Fire Chief Martin indicated that when the budget was first developed, there was not a firm idea of the costs of the fire station renovation projects; adding that while we still don’t have the exact numbers, they could come in under or they could come in a little over, but we’re close in our number estimate in that respect.  Chief Martin indicated that he cannot put people in Stations 2 and 3 until the facilities are completed.  Trustee Laubacher inquired when the work would begin.  Chief Martin replied that as soon as we can come upon a decision about bidding out or do we have to do a public bid; once we can resolve that, we will ask the contractor to begin the work with the projects simultaneously.  Chief Martin expressed that he was hoping that these projects will not take any longer than 6-8 weeks for the contractor to complete the projects.  More brief discussion followed regarding the fire station projects.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance:

Trustee Chessler opened the Regular Meeting of this date and noted that we had previously announced that the Board was going to convene at 6:00 pm, which we did to conduct our annual Budget Hearings to approve the budget for operations for next year, this was concluded a few moments ago and now we are ready for our Regular Agenda. 

Trustee Chessler inquired if we need a hearing to accept the budget at this time.  Fiscal Officer Schlegel stated that the numbers will change with carryovers and this will all be approved in January at the Reorganizational Meeting.

Excused absence:  None.

 

Additions/Deletions to Agenda:  None.

Public Hearings/Invited Guests:  None.

Communications:  None.

Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval: None.

Township Business requiring Board Action: None.

Unfinished Business:   None.

New Business:

Trustee Chessler made a motion to approve bills in the amount of $291,239.77 for the week ending November 24, 2015 and bills and payroll in the amount of $284,409.69 for the week ending December 1,  2015  for a combined total of $575,649.46; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Chessler, yes.  Mr. Haines, yes.  Mr. Laubacher, yes.

Fiscal Officer: 

Consider Approval of 07/21/15 and 11/17/15 Meeting Minutes

Trustee Haines made a motion to approve the minutes of July 21, 2015 and November 17, 2015; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Chessler, yes.  Mr. Haines, yes.  Mr. Laubacher, yes.

Administration: 

Fire Department:

Consider Parking Lot Costs for Station #3

Fire Chief Martin stated that the Fire Department is requesting that the Board of Trustees approve an additional cost of $6,972.00 for stone base to complete the installation of the parking lot at Station 3. 

Chief Martin indicated that the Board had previously authorized the installation of a new parking lot at Station 3 to Vasco Asphalt Company.  The estimate ($20,472.00) provided by Vasco was dependent on the amount of sub-grade base available to install the new black top over.  Chief Martin indicated that the only way to determine the sub-grade base was to remove the existing black top.  Once the black top was removed, it was determined that there was no sub-grade base.  To ensure the proper installation of the new black top, a proper sub-base had to be installed.  Because of the size of the new black top area, approximately 300 ton of stone had to be installed.  The new sub-grade base added $6,972.00 to the cost of the project.

Trustee Chessler verified that the request now is to approve the additional cost and also inquired if this was in the nature of a change order or an existing contract or if this was a separate expenditure.  Chief Martin indicated that it was a separate one because we have already paid the original cost and added that he did not want to complicate that matter adding that he is requesting a separate bill.

Trustee Chessler stated that based on the information that the Chief has provided makes a motion that the Board approve the payment to Vasco Asphalt Company in the additional sum of $6,972.00 for additional repair to our parking lot at Fire Station 3; Seconded by Trustee Haines.

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Chessler, yes.  Mr. Haines, yes.  Mr. Laubacher, yes.

Consider Authorization to Hire Fulltime Fire Medic

Fire Chief Martin stated that while lifting a patient, Fire Medic Harold Ritz sustained a significant injury to his shoulder and arm.  Harold was placed on Transitional Work Program (Light Duty) and assigned to the Fire Administration Office.  It is anticipated that it could be at least six (6) months before Harold is released to full duty.

Chief Martin stated that Harold’s inability to work on shift creates a shift that is short one fire medic;  any requested time off by the other two medics creates overtime.  Chief Martin stated that since we are going to hire additional fulltime fire medics to assist in covering the opening of Station 2 and 3, I would ask that we hire one (1) fire medic to cover the vacant slot on Harold’s shift.  Hiring someone to cover this slot would allow for all three (3) shifts to be at full manpower.

Trustee Chessler verified that as we had previously discussed, the plan next year was to hire five (5) anyway and this is to expedite one to fill in this gap.  Chief Martin stated that was correct.  Trustee Haines inquired if Chief Martin was going to hire within.  Chief Martin stated that they currently have a list of people who have finished their polygraphs and indicated that they were still doing some background checks and once those backgrounds are complete, as long as the Board approves this, can make a pre-conditional offer for the psychological and medical examinations.

Trustee Chessler inquired if Chief Martin would be prepared to do this by the next meeting; Chief Martin indicated that he was hoping to.

Trustee Chessler stated that a formal motion was not needed in this regard, just the Board’s indication of support for this plan.  Chief Martin stated his thanks.

Police Department:

Road and Park Department:

Law Director:

Zoning:

Department Matters Not Requiring Board Action:

Administration: None.

Fire Department: None.

Police Department:

Road Department: None.

Parks/Recycling: None.

Zoning: None.  

Law Director: None.

Upcoming Events:  None.

Trustee Chessler stated that the last item listed on the Agenda is an Executive Session that the Law Director has requested to discuss Collective Bargaining Matters that are underway.  Trustee Chessler stated that we can do this at the end of the meeting so as not to make the general public wait on that and will move to Public Speaks.

Public Speaks-Open Forum:

Dave Kerestes, 3500 Lincoln Way E., Apt. 4 – stated that he was here tonight to speak of what he feels would be wrongdoing by the Perry Police Department.  Mr. Kerestes gave a brief summary of an incident and details regarding this matter.

Trustee Chessler stated to Mr. Kerestes that he has addressed the Board on several occasions in the past; sometimes it has been just for the Board’s information and other times it has been for the purpose of asking the Board to do something, and further inquired if Mr. Kerestes was informing the Board on this current series of events or otherwise.  Mr. Kerestes indicated that he is asking for the Board’s help because he believes he has been wronged. 

Mr. Kerestes also briefly stated several issues in regard to the zoning resolutions concerning temporary signs as well as other violations.

Executive Session(s): 

Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board adjourn into Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22 (G) (4) to consider Collective Bargaining matters that will include the Trustees, Fiscal Officer, Law Director and Police Chief with no action to be taken; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.

ROLL CALL:  Mr. Chessler, yes.  Mr. Haines, yes.  Mr. Laubacher, yes.

The Board adjourned into Executive Session at:  7:28 pm

The Board adjourned from Executive Session at:  7:55 pm

Adjournment:

With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Chessler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes.  Mr. Haines, yes.  Mr. Laubacher, yes.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Craig Chessler, President                                                                             Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer