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
October 1, 2013 7:00 pm
Call to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance:
Excused absence:
Additions/Deletions to Agenda:
Aflac Proposal under Administration; and Approval of August 6, 2013 Meeting Minutes; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests:
Communications:
Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval: None.
Township Business requiring Board Action: None.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business:
Trustee Haines made a motion to approve bills and payroll in the amount of $298,663.99 for the week ending September 24, 2013 and bills only in the amount of $39,519.61 for the week ending October 1, 2013 for a combined total of $338,183.60; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Fiscal Officer:
Trustee Haines made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 6, 2013 Regular Meeting, the September 3, 2013 Regular Meeting and the September 10, 2013 Work Session; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Administration:
Consider the Introduction of the Aflac Supplement
Administrator Fetzer stated that on September 10, 2013, the Board of Trustees authorized Aflac Representative, Nick Sherman to provide an in-service of benefits to the members of the Employee Health Benefits Committee. At the conclusion of the presentation, the members were in favor of having Mr. Sherman conduct a brief presentation with all of the Township employees to determine if that would be a benefit to them.
Administrator Fetzer explained that the supplemental employee benefits provided by Aflac would be of no cost to the Township. The Aflac representative would be responsible for communicating and processing all paperwork. The coverage would in no way conflict with the Township’s current health plan benefit through Aultcare. Administrator Fetzer also stated that Aflac pays compensation directly to the employee so the Township would not be involved in this aspect. The only involvement which the Township would be related would be the automatic withdrawal. The dollar amounts would be consistent each pay and Aflac would provide a list of employees enrolled in the monthly billing invoice. The presentation documents are attached before the Board. During this presentation, Mr. Sherman informed the committee that the reduced rates would only be in effect if the Township was obligated to do the automatic withdraw process.
Administrator Fetzer stated that on the 30th of September, she and the Fiscal Officer, and Assistant Fiscal Officer met with the Aflac representative and went through the entire procedure. Fiscal Officer Schlegel was in favor of the procedure and requested the Board to authorize permission to schedule Mr. Sherman to provide three (3) separate, brief in-service sessions with the Road, Police, and Fire Departments during the day on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. A brief evening session on this date was scheduled as well. Administrator Fetzer stated that the open enrollment period for Aflac is December of each year, so Township employees interested in this supplemental plan would enjoy two (2) months of free premiums as opposed to signing up in January.
Trustee Laubacher inquired if this supplement employee benefits by Aflac would include part-time firefighters and road employees. Adminsitrator Fetzer stated that was correct.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board authorize the Administrator to take the steps necessary to enter into a relationship with Aflac to provide our employees with the coverage that Aflac would provide; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Fire Department: None.
Police Department:
Consider Approval of Northern Lubricants Purchase $1,016.31
Police Chief Pomesky stated that the Police Department is requesting the Board’s approval of the GTX Synblend 5W30 Drum of oil – 55 gallon from Northeast Lubricants. The total cost is $1,016.31.
Trustee Haines made the motion that the Board approve the purchase of the GTX Synblend 5W30 Drum of oil – 55 gallon from Northeast Lubricants for the total cost of $1,016.31; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Consider Tactical Vest Purchase
Police Chief Pomesky stated that the Police Department is requesting that the Board of Trustees consider the purchase of a tactical vest for Officer Dan Dale when working with the Canton Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT team. The vest is an Assault One Plus-complete set FLXIIIA. The total cost is $1,642.00. This is also the current price on the State Contract. By purchasing this vest to specially fit Officer Dale, it will promote a higher degree of safety.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board approve the purchase of a tactical vest for Officer Dan Dale at the cost not to exceed $1,642.00; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Consider 12th Street Speed Reduction Request
Police Chief Pomesky stated that in regard to 12th Street NW, the Police Department has seen a steady rise in crashes in this area from 2010 to present. Chief Pomesky stated that he isolated the 12th Street NW roadway into four sections to identify the problem zones that needed focused on, attached map before the Board. Chief Pomesky also stated that through the process of collecting the statistics, NE1, 12th Street between Whipple Avenue and Perry Drive; and from Perry Drive to 12th Street and Genoa, there has been a significant increase in crashes.
As the Board is aware, there was a recent traffic fatality in this 12th St. NE1 area in addition to one of our firefighters being struck, also in this area, while actively investigating another crash. Chief Pomesky stated that in early August, 2013 the Police Department placed a speed trailer on 12th St. NW to monitor the vicinity of the Exploration Gateway entrance. During this time frame, there were a total of 10,864 cars that traveled throughout the monitored section of roadway. The average speed of those cars was roughly 40.7 mph. Chief Pomesky stated that this information indicates not a speeding issue, but rather that the legal speed may be higher for that section of roadway.
Chief Pomesky stated that he would like to make a request to take the steps necessary to consider reducing 12 St. NW speed by 5 mph for the following sections of road:
- Genoa Road to Perry Drive (reduce to 40 mph)
- Perry Drive to Whipple (reduce to 35 mph)
More discussion regarding this 12 St. NW speed limit reduction request continued. Trustee Haines verified that Chief Pomesky would give this report to the Stark County Engineer’s office for review to make this official recommendation. Chief Pomesky stated that was correct, that he would direct this request to the County Engineer’s office.
Consider United States Marshall’s Service MOU
Police Chief Pomesky stated that attached for the Board of Trustees’ review and approval is a copy of the United States Marshall’s Service Memorandum of Understanding for the Police Department’s participation with the Northern Ohio Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force. This is part of a collaborative effort with agencies in Stark County focusing on the apprehension of violent offenders without standing warrants. Chief Pomesky stated that he is requesting the Board’s approval to sign the MOU so that the Police Department may place a member of the department on the task force. This would necessitate that the Police Department supply one individual one day a week for this program. Chief Pomesky stated that he had previously sent the MOU to Law Director Hall for his review to which he has given his approval . Chief Pomesky stated that he is asking the Board’s approval of this MOU as well. More discussion regarding this Memorandum of Understanding continued.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board approve entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Marshall’s Service and authorizing the Police Chief as our designee to enter into the agreement of the MOU for the Police Department’s participation with the Northern Ohio Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Road Department:
Consider Accepting the Resignation of Seasonal Park Employee ~ Scott Meeks
Road Superintendent Masalko stated that effective Thursday, September 26, 2013, Scott Meeks resigned his part-time, seasonal position at the Parks Department.
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board accept the resignation of seasonal park employee, Scott Meeks, effective September 26, 2013; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Law Director: None.
Zoning: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Department Matters Not Requiring Board Action:
Administration: None.
Fire Department: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Police Department:
August Activity Report
Road Department: None.
Zoning: None.
Law Director: None.
Upcoming Events:
~Perry Bicentennial Meetings are scheduled for the last Tuesday of each calendar month at the Perry Township Hall beginning at 7:00 pm.
Public Speaks-Open Forum:
Don Fick, 129 Saratoga Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44708 – Mr. Fick stated that in regard to his last comments (from the September 17th Regular Meeting) concerning the speeding and careless driving in his neighborhood on Saratoga Avenue, Yukon and Barrie. Mr. Fick stated that he has not seen any improvements. Trustee Haines stated that he spoke with Chief Pomesky before the meeting this evening to ask if extra patrols have been stationed in this area and they have.
Police Chief Pomesky gave a brief explanation regarding monitoring traffic speed with the laser device as well as stating that there has been a considerable influx of traffic in this area because of the road construction on Route 172. Chief Pomesky assured Mr. Fick that this area would remain on the extra patrol list. Trustee Haines asked Mr. Fick to verify that the problem times are between 7:30 – 8:30 am and 3 – 6 pm. Mr. and Mrs. Fick agreed they were.
Mr. Fick stated that he and his wife have lived on Saratoga since July 1971 and the blacktop resurfacing has only been redone one time not long after they moved in. Mr. Fick asked if anything could be done.
Trustee Haines stated that he wanted to address Mr. Fick’s second issue with regard to the road paving. Trustee Haines stated that the last time Perry Township had a road levy was in 1986. Trustee Haines explained that ever since that time, the Township has put forth road levy renewals on the ballot. These renewal levies have had a much better success rate of passing, but one problem about the renewal levy is that it is based on the resident tax basis from 1986. Each time the Township receives a renewal levy, it relates to a tax base that goes back to 1986. If the Township would be able to put forth a new road levy, this would increase millage that would go directly toward roads and repaving. Currently, the Township is spending approximately $350,000.00 per year to pave roads with a method called micro-surfacing in order to get twice as many roads resurfaced. Trustee Haines stated that the Board is aware that this method is similar to a band-aid method but is also aware that a new road levy would be a tough sell to the residents of the Township.
Road Superintendent Masalko explained that in reference to the property taxes that each resident pays, most of this tax money goes to the schools and the tax portion that would go toward roads would probably only buy approximately 2 tons of salt; just to get an idea of the tax portion breakdown.
Mr. Fick stated that he notices that some allotments have been resurfaced that do not seem near as bad as the Saratoga area.
Road Superintendent Masalko stated that in regard to resurfacing/repairs, the Road Department looks at all the roads in the Township, major roads as well as neighborhoods roads. Due to financial shortage, many times the roads that would see repairs/resurfacing first are the ones that are the most traveled and most in need.
Trustee Haines stated that many times, there is confusion on who maintains what roads. Route 172 is maintained by the State. 12th Street, Perry Drive and Woodlawn, these are maintained by the County. Trustee Haines stated that although you may see some paving going on in Perry Township, it does not necessarily mean that it is the Township that is doing this paving. Trustee Haines also stated that although this was not the answer Mr. Fick was hoping to hear, it gives a realistic explanation as to where the Township is financially with regard to the roads. Trustee Haines thanked Mr. Fick for his comments.
Executive Session(s):
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board adjourn into two separate Executive Sessions:
The first Executive Session – pursuant to ORC 121.22 (G) (1) regarding employee investigation to include the Board, Fiscal Officer, Fire Chief and Law Director.
The Second Executive Session – pursuant to ORC 121.22 (G)(1) to consider the hiring of an employee to include the Board, Fiscal Officer, Police Chief and Law Director; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
The Board adjourned into Executive Session at: 7:34 pm
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at: 7:57 pm
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Haines made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 pm; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Doug Haines, President Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer