Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2011
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman Matt Montowski on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room.
In attendance were Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Gary Mortus, Karen Shaw,
John Gangway, Dan Barlow, Kevin McElligott, Mike Drusbacky, Lynne Zoyhofski,
Rich Zoyhofski, Reggie Langford, Brian Snyder, Bob Snyder, and Jack DeVore.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all followed by a moment of silence for our troops.
The minutes were read from the July 12 meeting of the Board of Township Trustees.
Gary Mortus made a motion to approve the July 12 meeting minutes as presented.
William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including the last payroll, in the amount of $42,028.82. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
The following correspondence was received by the township and read:
A letter from the Hylant Group regarding the renewal bond for the township Zoning Inspector and a request for the annual premium due.
A letter from Frank Gates Avizent thanking officials for Catawba Island Township’s continued participation in the Ohio worker’s compensation group rating program.
A letter from State Farm Insurance Companies requesting a statement of property damage and any possible claim for damages due to an accident involving a State Farm insured driver.
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw said she will complete and return the claim form with an estimate for repairs including materials and labor required to replace the township mailbox.
A renewal notice from Supermedia for the township advertising in the phonebook. The Trustees agreed to renew and continue the current advertising program.
Fire and Safety
Fire Chief John Gangway said they need to replace two pieces of 5 inch diameter fire hose. He requested permission to purchase the hose through the state purchasing program from Fire and Safety Inc. for a total of $1,652. The Trustees agreed the fire department could purchase the replacement hose.
Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Barlow said he spoke with M & B Asphalt and they are still working on providing a quote for the various township road repairs. He said the quote will be ready to present at the next meeting with the bid already received from The Kreimes Co.
Dan Barlow said the contractor is almost finished replacing the Maintenance roof.
Dan Barlow asked the Trustees if they would send letters to a couple residents on Schoolhouse Road who are leaving grass debris along the right of way. The Trustees agreed to send letters.
Dan Barlow said he spoke with Tina Molnar at the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office and she reminded him Catawba Island Township is not on the list for road resurfacing in 2012. He asked the Trustees to approve a township request to resubmit the roads previously planned for resurfacing this year that were dropped off due to the Sand Road resurfacing project. The Trustees agreed to get estimates to grind and resurface Appell Drive, Roger Drive, Delwood Drive, Karwood Drive and Linda Drive.
Dan Barlow talked about cemetery improvements including columbarium options for cremation urns.
Other Business
Kevin McElligott, Midland Service Agency, spoke regarding true insurance versus pool insurance. He said they would like to prepare a quote for the township. The Trustees agreed Midland Service Agency could supply a quote based on the needs of the township. Gary Mortus asked Kevin McElligott to supply the Trustees with a list of other local government agencies for whom they provide coverage.
EMA Deputy Director Mike Drusbacky gave a brief Emergency Management update. He spoke regarding several topics including the need for members to serve on the newly formed Ottawa County Citizen Emergency Response Team or CERT. Mike Drusbacky talked about the importance of the outdoor warning system reminding everyone it is not intended for indoor use. He said they encourage residents to have weather radios for indoor use.
Mike Drusbacky also reminded everyone of WENS, the wireless emergency notification system where residents are notified of emergency situations on their home land line phone. He said cell phones and pagers can be registered to receive notifications by visiting the Ottawa County website and clicking the EMA link.
Mike Drusbacky spoke briefly about NIMS, National Incident Management System. He encouraged the Trustees to take 700 and 800 online National Incident Management training.
Mike Drusbacky said they are also updating the all county Emergency Operations Plan.
Resident Brian Snyder expressed his concern with the way the causeway looks entering Catawba Island Township at State Route 53. Matt Montowski said ODOT has been out to clear the weeds but he agrees it needs more work. Dan Barlow said he would give ODOT another call about cleaning up the causeway.
Brian Snyder asked the Trustees if they have ever considered a larger welcome sign at the Route 53 township entrance. Gary Mortus said the Trustees will look into a larger sign.
Resident Bob Snyder said he would like to see the township purchase the property as you enter Catawba on the right, just past the causeway, for the purpose of creating a nice entrance and welcome to Catawba Island Township.
Gary Motus said the property would be an option for putting up a larger sign because the township does not have that option on the causeway as it is owned by the state. Bob Snyder offered their resources to help trim and clean up the property if it were to become a welcome entrance to the township
Bob Snyder talked about the future possibility of the state widening the intersection at Routes 53 and 163. He said he thought it would be a good idea for the township to widen the road and add a left turn lane just past the causeway at West Catawba Road so the traffic does not continue to get backed up in that area.
Bob Snyder said he thinks Muggy Road should be tested prior to grinding and resurfacing so the issue with the sides of the road sinking does not continue to be a problem. Gary Mortus said he will speak with Ron Lajti at the County Engineer’s Office concerning Muggy Road.
Bob Snyder asked what the township’s policy is for dead tree and brush removal. The Trustees said the township will pick up brush that has been cut and pulled to the side of the road by the property owner. The Township will not remove brush that has been taken down by commercial contractors. Trustees reminded him brush can also be brought to the township compost site off Cemetery Road between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Reggie Langford said he believes the wet spring has reduced the number of Gypsy moths he is seeing. He said he is not recommending placing bags around the trees at this time.
Gary Mortus said Republic, formerly known as Allied Waste, is willing to start curbside recycling in the township twice a month for a one year trial period. The price will be $55 per quarter for weekly trash pick up and recycling pick up twice a month.
William Rofkar said there was a problem with the township phone system in the past two weeks. He said he needed to purchase some amperage limiters to limit the amperage on the incoming phone lines. William Rofkar said he installed the units at no charge to the township however he did request reimbursement from the township for the cost of the parts he had to order for the repair.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve a Then and Now Purchase Order to Ohio Public Entity Consortium for OPEC Funding Plan Reimbursement Expenses in the mount of $2,000. Gary Mortus seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Fiscal Officer Karen Shaw said she found a coding error with one of the phone bills and made a change which will result in a cost savings of approximately $40 per month.
Gary Mortus made a motion to adjourn the meeting. William Rofkar seconded the motion. All voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
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Matt Montowski, Chairman Karen Shaw, Fiscal Officer
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