Minutes
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 17, 2009
Meeting called to order: 7:15 p.m., having been properly advertised as required by O.R.C. 121.22, followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Trustee Donald Butler, Trustee Lynda Bowers, Trustee Lee Kehoe, Fiscal Officers Shirley Bailey
and Martha Evans.
Minutes: Mr. Butler and Ms. Bailey discussed the length of the minutes. Ms. Bailey requests to be notified before the
meeting as to any corrections so as to present a clean copy at the meeting. Discussion was held as to what needs to be
included in the minutes as a record for a governmental body.
April 20, 2009 – Mr. Kehoe motioned to approved the April 20, 2009 minutes as presented. Mr. Butler seconded the
motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
June 1, 2009 – Mr. Kehoe motioned to accept the June 1, 2009 minutes as presented. Ms. Bowers seconded the
motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
June 15, 2009 – Mr. Butler motioned to accept the June 15, 2009 minutes as presented. Ms. Bowers seconded the
motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
June 26, 2009 – Mr. Butler motioned to accept the June 26, 2009 minutes as presented. Mr. Kehoe seconded the
motion. Mr. Kehoe and Mr. Butler voted in favor, Ms. Bowers abstained due to not being in attendance at the meeting.
Motion passes.
July 20, 2009 – Mr. Kehoe motioned to accept the minutes of July 20, 2009. A correction was pointed out on the last
page of a misspelling. Mr. Kehoe amended his motion to accept the minutes of July 20, 2009 as amended. Mr. Butler
seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Fiscal Report:
Requisitions – Ms. Evans presented the requisitions in the amount of $7,062.21. Ms. Bowers moved to approve the
requisitions presented. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
RESOLUTION 26-2009 – A RESOLUTION INCREASING 2009 PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS IN GENERAL, ROAD &
BRIDGE, AND FIRE & RESCUE FUNDS. Ms. Evans explained that the appropriations for the Board approved items for
purchase must be made at the same time the purchase is approved. The recommended amounts for each fund were
discussed. (The Fire Truck purchase and CD were discussed and then the Resolution was again brought forward.) Ms.
Bowers motioned to approve the amounts as read, noting that these are not extraordinary purchases but had been
budgeted for. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Department Reports:
Fire –
Fire Truck Purchase – Mr. Kehoe reported that the total amount for the Fire Truck being considered is $362,575.54.
This is under the state bid with Sutphen Fire Apparatus. The Prosecutor had developed a new contract for this
purchase, which has been approved by Sutphen. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the township does not have the
authority to lease/purchase the fire truck, but can purchase the truck. Sutphen has indicated that money is not required
for approximately six month, when the truck would be ready to be delivered. Money is available to outright pay for the
vehicle, but prior discussions indicate that the Board prefers to pay for the purchase over a period of time due to the
financial situation. Discussion was held on the status of the available funding. Mr. Kehoe read a letter from Brian
Richter of the Prosecutor’s Office regarding the state term schedule fire truck purchase (see attached). Mr. Kehoe
motioned to approve the purchase of a Fire Truck from Sutphen Corporation in the amount of $362,575.54. Ms. Bowers
seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Maturing CD – Ms. Bailey reported that a Certificate of Deposit for the Fire Department is maturing tomorrow in the
amount of $170,000.00 with Charter One and asked the Board how they would like to handle it. It was determined to
“roll over” the CD for six months.
Sheriff – Ms. Bowers reported that the department was on budget and on time. An incident was related regarding a
resident making threats in a business and the quick response of the deputies. Ms. Bowers commented that the Medina
County Commissioner’s budget does not affect the level of service that the township receives from the Sheriff’s Office
through our contract. Ms. Bowers read the letter sent to the Sheriff regarding expected level of service despite county
budget cuts (see attached). There were no problems that instigated the sending of this letter. Ms. Bowers stated that
any complaints regarding the deputies’ cars being out of our area should be brought forth at that time to allow for
verification of the reason. Valid reasons as to why they would be out of the area were discussed.
Cemetery – Ms. Bowers reported that Mr. Don Weiland had completed restoring at least sixty stones. Many of the elder
citizens of the township have expressed their appreciation to the Board for assuring that this project was done.
Zoning – Zoning Chair Karen Schoonover asked if the training offered by the University of Akron had been further
considered by the Board. If there are at least fifteen attendees, a 25% discount will be offered ($89 instead of $119 per
person). Discussion was held on the number of possible attendees. Discussion was also held on possibly needing to
change Zoning Commission meeting dates. The meeting in November is on Election Day and will need to be changed
anyway. Mr. Kehoe motioned to reimburse Zoning members for the training offered by the University of Akron upon
providing proof of completion of the course. Ms. Bowers seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Handicap Ramp Fees – Ms. Bowers proposes that the $50 fee be waived for handicap ramp permits. This would not
circumvent the building permit. Discussion was held regarding having a ramp fee that is part of a value-adding remodel
as well as when a deck will be added due to elevation changes. Ms. Bowers suggests having Zoning Inspector Alliss
Strogin set reasonable guidelines for the amount of deck square footage that should be included in the waiver for the
ramps and present that to the Board. Discussion was held regarding any certification that may be utilized in determining
handicap status. The Board was in consensus to allow Ms. Strogin to prepare the guidelines in determining the
handicap ramp fee waiver. This change will only affect the fee schedule and not the actual zoning code.
Mosquito Spraying - Ms. Schoonover also asked if the township sprays for mosquitoes. The Health Department has
been responsible for spraying of mosquitoes.
Noise & Property Maintenance Law – The township currently has a Noise Resolution (4-32) adopted Nov. 1, 2004.
According to the officers and the Prosecutor’s Office, this resolution is unenforceable. As far as property maintenance,
the Health Department standards are all that the township has to utilize at this time. It was noted that the State
Legislature does not give the same authority to townships that cities and villages have. Mr. Butler and Ms. Bowers feel a
work session with Assistant Prosecutor Bill Thorne should be held to further discuss these issues.
Mr. Dave Phillip of Lance Road commented on the noise issues they have experienced at their residence: adult beer
parties, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, teen parties. Mr. Phillip stated his understanding that there is a state law of “quiet
time” at 11:00 p.m. This should be included in the township’s noise resolution. Discussion was held as to the written law
of “quiet time”. Ms. Bowers described the rulings that Judge Chase has handed down in these cases. Mr. Butler will set
the meeting with Mr. Thorne. Mr. Paul Calvo asked from the audience if a civil action is available and Ms. Bowers
responded it is.
Junk Vehicle Law – Ms. Bowers had distributed proposals from Mr. Bill Thorne at the July 20th meeting that she had
received from the training session for Township Trustees on June 16th. This is the updated law as recommended by
Mr. Bill Thorne. A resolution (Establishing a Policy to Regulate the Storage of Junk Motor Vehicles in the
Unincorporated Areas of the Township) can be adopted by the Trustees as policy and a secondary resolution
(Confirming Determination of Junk Motor Vehicle Status) would be passed for each complaint. The steps that would
need to be taken for this matter were explained. Mr. Butler read the criteria that would need to be met to determine a
junk vehicle. Ms. Bowers reported that she recently attended a seminar in Columbus and brought back copies of a
power point presentation on this matter that she will share with the Trustees. Mr. Kehoe requests time to review the
power point before a decision is rendered. The matter is tabled to the next Trustee meeting.
Old Fire Squad – Fire Chief Hall reported that he has received two offers of interest with regards to the old ambulance:
1) Ruggles-Troy Township in Ashland County, 2) Department in West Virginia. Chief Hall asked what the Trustees
would like to have happen with this vehicle. Ruggles-Troy could offer about $4,500.00 to utilize the vehicle for heavy
rescue. Ms. Bowers reported that several local townships have had success in utilizing the EBay Company in Seville.
Sealed bids could also be utilized and done very quickly. The Service Department old dump truck could also be
disposed of at the same time. Ms. Bowers suggests advertising for sealed bids on both vehicles. Mr. Kehoe agrees.
Discussion was held on where advertising should be placed. Ms. Bowers asked for permission to work with Ms. Turpin
on the sealed bids advertising. Mr. Butler and Mr. Kehoe were in agreement. Ms. Bowers suggests advertising in the
Trading Post and through the State-wide associations’ internet.
Appreciation – Ms. Bowers thanked the Service Department and Fire Department for their assistance and presence at a
local community day hosted by Lafayette United Methodist Church. Township equipment was on display for residents to
view. Pastor Meliher of Lafayette United Methodist Church was thanked for hosting the event.
Pastor John Meliher expressed his appreciation to the township and the community for the success of the event. This
was the 1st Annual Community Day and there will be more.
Ms. Bowers moved to recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel compensation and
unemployment. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Ms. Bowers – yes, Mr. Butler – yes, Mr. Kehoe – yes
Executive Session convened at 8:40 p.m.
Ms. Bowers motioned to reconvene the Regular Meeting at 8:55 p.m. Mr. Butler seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Ms. Bowers – yes, Mr. Butler – yes, Mr. Kehoe – yes
No decisions were made that need to be recorded.
Mr. Butler and Ms. Bailey discussed the issue of how employees are counted for Medicare. Ms. Bailey stated that she
had sent Anthem a form stating that the township has over twenty employees. The Insurance Company was somehow
told that the township has six employees.
The Board paid the warrants of the township.
Ms. Bowers moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Butler.
Meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Approved:________________________ ________________________
Donald Butler, Trustee
________________________
Lynda Bowers, Trustee
________________________
Lee Kehoe, Trustee
_________________________________
Shirley Bailey, Fiscal Officer