PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TRAINING UPDATES … Doug Crawford, representing the water board and Northwest Fire and Rescue, informed trustees that personnel recently trained over 50 Boy Scouts to help them earn fire-related merit badges.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Northwest Township trustees held their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Trustee Paul Green called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., opening with the Pledge of Allegiance before moving straight into business.
Trustees Robert Kissinger and Mary Gniewkowski were present as well as Fiscal Officer Peggy Disbro, Assistant Fire Chief Doug Crawford, and roadman Eddie Mountz.
Green motioned to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, with a small correction made by Gniewkowski prior to the meeting start.
Kissinger seconded and all approved. Kissinger then moved to approve the financial reports with Gniewkowski seconding. Again all approved.
Crawford was first to update on the water board and fire department activities. There were no updates of note from the water board and Crawford commented, “Everything is running pretty good, chemicals and stuff are where they need to be.”
The Fire Department had several updates, several relating to engine repairs and maintenance. Crawford went over several items including air conditioning repair for two engines, and an overheating problem on another vehicle.
The department has been busy lately with several training activities, including one the following evening. The department completed training with over 50 Boy Scouts so they could earn their merit badges.
This training was held on Wednesdays over a span of six weeks. The department has also completed recent training sessions focusing on grass fire.
Green questioned the warranty specifics on the chassis that is waiting to be installed. Crawford clarified he was pretty sure that the warranty does not take effect until it is installed.
Crawford concluded with a few minor updates including door latches they need to get for the heavy rescue vehicle and an ongoing roof leak the department was looking into.
Mountz was next to update the trustees, and like the fire department, much of his report involved equipment and vehicle maintenance and repair.
Mountz had spent the bulk of the day replacing brakes on a township truck as well as wheel studs on the brush cutter.
On the road repair side, County Road 3 and County Road O.50 have been completed and County Road N.30 would be the next area of focus. With the recent rain, roadwork has been slightly delayed.
Moving on to trustee updates, Gniewkowski was first to provide the board with recent updates to the zoning book which was recorded with the Auditor’s office. Gniewkowski reported the cost as $50.
There were still some things to sort out regarding the original zoning book location and signatures, as Gniewkowski had been contacted by the Williams County Prosecutor regarding a few details.
The zoning board did not meet on the normally scheduled day so Gniewkowski would have to wait until the next meeting to get the resolution approved and signed.
Nuisance birds at the township’s south building were the next topic for discussion. Gniewkowski presented the idea of a solar and rechargeable alarm to help deter the bird population, especially geese.
Gniewkowski personally has used a similar device and stated it works well. The trustees agreed for $65 it is definitely worth trying. Mountz added a solar security light would also be helpful at that location.
Kissinger followed with a safety issue regarding the turning lane indicators when exiting the Pilot gas station on State Route 49. The area is already congested with the gas stations and the entrance ramp to Interstate 80/90. Kissinger reported the lines and arrows for the turn only lane are barely visible and presenting a dangerous safety hazard.
Green stated he would follow up with the County Engineer as he assumes it will take both parties involvement to get the lines repainted and direct traffic during that time.
Green had no updates but requested an executive session. Disbro presented the rental calendar for the trustees to review. She also noted she had been contacted about a potential craft fair being hosted in the building.
The South Woodbridge Pentecostal Church of God is looking to hold a vendor market on either April 3 or April 10 and was inquiring about the rental price. The trustees discussed several approaches.
Ultimately, they decided on a base rate of $200 but asked if they could get more information. If the proceeds were to benefit a mission trip or children’s programs, there would be some additional wiggle room in that price.
The trustees also approved Disbro to begin using the online platform to pay the credit card bill instead of mail.
By the time the statement is received and approved by the trustees, there leaves a small window of two weeks to get the payment mailed in.
The trustees finished signing all required documents. Green then moved to go into executive session with Gniewkowski seconding the motion. Kissinger agreed and the meeting moved into executive session at 7:37 p.m. No action was expected to follow.
The next meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m.