August 2025
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 8-12-2025
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Those in attendance were Larken Slack, Derek Dozer and Randy Elson; Township Trustees and Paula Frank, Fiscal Officer. Fire Chief, Craig Knox was not in attendance. Also in attendance were Township residents: Sam Lantz, Gage G., and Mike Shilling. Gavin Bailey from Brennstuhl Construction, Matt Check from the George Igel Company, and Adam Foshee from The Shelly Company were in attendance with paving bids. There were two representatives from MasterRoof Solar, Jim Lee and Justin Doutt.
Meeting was called to order by Trustee Elson at 6:00 pm.
Pledge to the flag was led by Randy Elson.
Agenda: approved.
Minutes: approved.
Public Participation:
Residents in attendance were wondering if the property clean up was going to continue within the Township. Derek stated that absolutely yes it was going to continue.
Jim and Justin were in attendance from MasterRoof Solar with some numbers regarding solar panels. Jim owns MasterRoof and presented the basics of the solar credits, etc. The Township is considered a rural community so would be eligible for another 10% in federal tax credits. There is another 10% that is available for using American made materials. Jim stated it may not make sense to go with American made because in the long run it can cost more. There is a 25 year “bumper to bumper” warranty on the panels. They have an app that would allow the ability to see how much power each panel is generating at any given time. Financing the system would be 25 years at 8.99% so it would be a bill swap. Monthly payment would be about $1500 / month. SREC – Solar Renewable Energy Credit – would be about $300 / month. At the end of the 25 years, the Township will “own” their power and never pay an electric bill. Larken asked how many years it would take to get the money back and Jim said it would take 6 years if paying “cash”. Cash price after rebates is $174,273.00. The firehouse would need 209 panels to produce the amount of electric that is currently being used. They have virtual metering – where they have solar in one place and they use those credits at another location. AEP does not like the virtual metering. This subject was tabled until the next meeting so Chief Knox can be present to discuss further.
****Bid Opening for Asphalt Projects****
· The Shelly Company:
o Avondale Streets - $276,900.30
o Various Streets - $200,049.45
· George Igel Co.:
o Avondale Streets - $334,414.00
o Various Streets - $240,823.00
· Brennstuhl Construction:
o Avondale Streets - $260,590.39
o Various Streets - $232,557.02
· Birkhimer Asphalt:
o Avondale Streets - $282,090.55
o Various Streets - $206,678.15
Derek made a motion to accept the bid from The Shelly Company for Avondale Streets in the amount of $276,900.30. Randy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
****Bid Opening for FD Utility Truck****
· Classics and More LLC - $5265.00
· Emergency Remarketing - $2578.18
Randy made a motion to accept the bid from Classics and More LLC. Derek seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Fire Department Business:
· There were 193 dispatched calls in July. This was a record for the department. There were 121 calls in Muskingum and 72 in Perry.
· There were 4 call offs in July and all were able to be covered.
· Digital message boards have been installed in the firefighter’s areas of the building. This allows for better communication within the department on a daily basis. They show statistics, daily assignments, training notices, policy updates, equipment repair notices, etc. They also default to run data upon dispatch that shows the location with map and google maps photo of location as well.
· To improve decontamination and to comply with health safety trends the department would like to purchase a Genesis Portable Hose Decontamination System. The cost would be $5,795.00. Derek made a motion to purchase the system. Randy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
· The training division would like to purchase new mannequins at a cost of $3,136.00. The board approved.
· Assistant Chief Lutz is applying for the BWC grant to purchase a SCBA decontamination system cabinet. This is a 3:1 matching grant. The estimate of the project is $45,000.00.
· The next phase of the building upgrades is to paint the remaining stucco. This will be completed by the end of September.
· Monarch Roofing has been contacted about the portion of the roof over the cafeteria and gym.
· Upcoming events:
o September 27th – Touch-a-Truck at Walmart
o September 28th – Chicken BBQ and car show
o October 26th – Trunk or Treat in the truck bay
Assistant Chief: none.
Road Report:
· Lower Kroft is looking pretty good but is still wash boarding.
· Culvert on Crock is taken care of.
· Derek asked about a culvert on Rebecca Drive.
Old Business:
Michael Wilson – 3650 Washington Street, Avondale – needs a junk motor vehicle letter mailed. Derek will mail this to Mr. Wilson. He also thinks this property could fall under the nuisance abatement resolutions.
New Business:
· None.
Trustees Reports:
Elson—none.
Dozer—
· Mike Rice – 2870 Jenkins – approach needs some attention from last paving job.
· Received thank yous for clean up on Ironspot.
· Received a thank you on E. Darlington Drive tree.
Slack –
· Larken would like to add 3’ on the curve past McConnell’s before fall. It will cost about $8700.
· Opera Road widening - $4300.
· Additional road upkeep would be about $7200.
· Striping on Shaw – he wanted it done the first of August but they won’t be there until next Monday, the 18th.
Fiscal Officer Report:
· Grassroots clippings distributed.
· Prior month bank reconciliation presented for review and signatures.
· Hammers property in White Cottage – would one of the Trustees want to reach out to the family and have them get in touch with Rose Fox, Attorney, to get things moving so property can be transferred to Township. Larken will follow up with the family.
· FO has received Resolution 25-0752 from the Muskingum County Commissioners vacating a portion of Fletcher Road (TR 802).
· Presented the OTARMA Anniversary packet to the board for approval to make payment for the annual risk / liability coverage for all Township assets. Board members had not reviewed this information prior to the meeting so they will review and let the FO know of any equipment changes.
· Presented Resolution 08/2025 to add $5,338.42 to the Robert Boyd tax duplicate for expenses incurred by the County to dispose of excess waste.
· Presented Resolution 09/2025 to add $508.00 to the Robert Boyd tax duplicate for employee expenses incurred by the Township to dispose of excess waste.
· Presented Resolution 10/2025 to enter into an agreement with the County Commissioners for the purpose of blight remediation also accompanying this resolution was an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the County for said purpose. The Trustees were not in agreement with signing the MOU. They do not want the County acting on behalf of the Township.
· Presented Resolution 11/2025 for nuisance abatement for the property owned by Kandra J. Talbert at 4305 Workman Road, tax parcel # 47-34-14-06-013, to be mailed via certified mail to Ms. Talbert.
· Presented Local Government Revenues for 2026 as provided by the Muskingum County Auditor for signature.
Trustee Slack made a motion to pay bills. Trustee Elson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
All bills presented were deemed to be valid expenditures and were to be paid as presented.
The next monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm.
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