Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Meeting Minutes
December 23, 2025
The regular business meeting of the Catawba Island Board of Township Trustees was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, William Rofkar, Matt Montowski, Shelly Garcia, Kevin Johnson, John Gangway, Chris Cellier, Dan Barlow, Robert Garcia, Randy Riedmaier, William Baker, Dorthy Baker, Quintin Smith, Mary Jane Porozynski, Debi Barlow, Ann Rumpf, David Belden, Kim Mulholland, Jim Stouffer, Criag McCoy, Frank Carchedi, and Jack Madison.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Matt Montowski made a motion to approve the December 9, 2025 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented, as well as the December 9, 2025 Zoning Hearing minutes and the December 16, 2025 Zoning Hearing continuation minutes. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Diane Belden made a motion to approve and pay the bills, including payroll, in the amount of $78,231.88. Matt Montowski seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Correspondence
A thank you card and donation was received from the members of TOPS OH 1487 thanking the trustees for allowing use of the township hall for their meetings.
A donation request was received by Friends of Ottawa County Parks requesting a donation for the upcoming year.
A zoning hearing approval for application #737779 was read stating that the request for zoning amendment was adopted and approved unless the Board of Trustees is presented with a valid referendum petition within the 30-day window.
A request from employee Mary Jane Porozynski was received asking for unpaid leave to have a medical procedure. She stated the tentative date would be February 6, 2026 and she would possibly be off work for three months. All trustees agreed to her request.
Zoning Inspector, Vicki Wheatley, submitted a letter to trustees William Rofkar and Matt Montowski, extending gratitude and appreciation for their combined 50 years of service to Catawba Island Township. She made note of the many projects they both have worked on throughout the years, all while ensuring that every decision was made with both fiscal responsibility and community well-being in mind. She thanked them for their tireless dedication and wished them well in their future endeavors.
Fiscal
Fiscal Officer Shelly Garcia requested a motion to approve temporary appropriations in the amount of $4,306,933.32 for the purposes of paying payroll and any necessary expenditures prior to the permanent appropriations being approved. The amount being requested is enough to include the $1,000,000.00 fire truck that will be paid in the next month or so along with the SCBA equipment for the fire department for approximately $300,000.00.
Matt Montwoski made a motion to approve the temporary appropriations as presented. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
Maintenance
Supervisor Kevin Johnson stated that this will be the last run for leaf pick up. Once this is completed they will be tearing apart the leaf-vac in order to rebuild it.
Diane Belden asked bout Christmas tree pick up. Kevin Johnson stated that once they begin to see the trees being put out in January, they will then start pick up and perhaps include brush pick up along with the trees.
Diane Belden thanked Kevin and the entire maintenance department for their help last Saturday with the Wreaths Across America ceremony. She stated it was a huge success and was well attended. She again thanked the crew for their help over the last 13 years.
Police
Chief Gangway submitted a renewal contract for the Oak Harbor Conservation Club. The price has not increased for the upcoming year, it remains at $750. The officers use these facilities for qualifications, and on personal time to improve their skills. Chief Gangway stated the membership there has been well worth the investment. The trustees agreed.
William Rofkar made a motion to approve renewal of the Oak Harbor Conservation Club contract in the amount of $750. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion approved.
Chief Gangway stated that the Fire Dept. and Administration buildings are all up and running under the new hardware. He stated there are a few minor things still needed, but they are working on that.
Parks
Jack Madison stated that they are still talking about extending the other perimeter trail and will get with Kevin Johnson after the holidays to look into that.
New Business
William Rofkar asked trustee Belden when the next meeting was going to be as she will be the only trustee on the current board that will be going into the next year. Diane stated that the meeting will be held on January 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Lisa Murphy stated that she would like the trustees to look into zoning inspector Vicki Wheatley as she thought at the December 12, 2025 hearing for the DeGraff farm rezoning, that Vicki gave incorrect information regarding “high-density”.
Jim Stouffer stated that Ms. Wheatley’s comments on both William Rofkar and Matt Montowski were well taken and he would like to personally thank both men and their families for their service to Catawba Island Township. He stated that both men have showed great dedication and commitment to the township, and he wished them both well in their futures.
William Baker stated that zoning inspector Vicki Wheatley has approved a canopy at Midway Plaza. He is requesting the trustees to contact the prosecutor to see if there is any way to stop this. Matt Montowski stated that the application met all requirements and set-backs and didn’t need a variance. He stated that there is an appeal process to which the public can to through.
Matt Montowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Diane Belden seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday January 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
__________________________ _____________________________
Willaim Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer