May 2025
NEWTON TOWNSHIP MINUTES 5-13-2025
Newton Township Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Those in attendance were Craig Knox, Fire Chief; Larken Slack, Derek Dozer and Randy Elson; Township Trustees and Paula Frank, Fiscal Officer. Also in attendance were Township residents: Brandon Stackhouse and Sam Lantz.
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: none.
Fire Department Business:
· 117 d/p calls – 69 Musk 48 Perry – 468 for the year
· 7 uncovered 12-hour shifts – 7 call-offs
· New utility truck has been delivered and waiting on utility bed to be completed.
· Hose racks have been completed
· Craig got the levy info from the County Auditor. With the new real estate valuation figures, a 3-mil permanent replacement levy will generate the same amount of money as the 3-mil with 2 additional mils that they tried for last fall. The 3 mil will increase the operating budget by $300,000.00 per year. By doing a regular levy, it only saved the L/O a small amount so a permanent replacement would be better for the department and the L/O. They don’t have the wording of “increase” in the levy. They technically aren’t asking them anymore than what they are already paying. The change is what they are asking is because the valuations increased on January 1, 2024. Craig asked for permission to request the documentation from the Prosecutor’s office so the resolution can be passed at the next meeting. If they do a renewal with increase, the total amount would be around $1,000,000.00 for all fire department funds. The renewal with increase would cost a homeowner $165 / $100,000.00, for all levies. If they do just the replacement levy, it will cost a homeowner $189 / $100,000.00, for all levies.
· They are going to remove the old window a/c units out of the building and paint the walls. They need to rent a oft with boom for the week which is about $1500 for the week. Jeff Swingle is drafting a proposal for closing off the West facing window in the Trustees meeting room, if the Trustees are ok with that. They are going to tear out some of the landscaping and pour concrete at a cost of around $2,000.
· They offered conditional employment to 4 candidates – Josh Frisbey, Brandon Stone, Amanda Torres, and Shaun Pletcher.
Assistant Chief: none.
Road Report:
· Jason has been working on potholes. The rain destroyed what they had done on Shaw. They found the source of some water on Shaw and were able to divert the water to the ditch to drain. It looks like it has been a soft spot for a long time.
· Pete Hope Lane – he is trying to get the water to get off the road. The landowners would like to just be able to travel down the road. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
· They had a bearing fail in the trailer. He got some prices on a new trailer, but forgot them.
· The new skid steer is working great.
· They have cleaned up several trees since last month.
Old Business:
New Business:
Trustees Reports:
Elson—
· Two more speed limit signs have been added on Mona Drive.
· The property on Workman – the whole culvert is now out of the ditch which is diverting water across the road.
Dozer—
· He had at least 3 calls about trees down – Carson, Thompson Run, and Leffler / Swackhammer.
· The Commissioners said that Rachel Barnes called them and were complaining about ditches on the Workman Road.
· Karen Davis at 3805 Dona Drive and said the road is starting to break-up because it needs berm material by her culvert.
· At 3835 Dona Drive there is a culvert that needs installed. This is on Jason’s list.
· Bus garage called about Harlan and asked for stone at the end for a turn around because it is muddy.
· Mrs. Coles called about the ditches on Harlan – this is on Jason’s list.
· He had a call about the culvert at the bottom of the hill on East Darlington – this is on Jason’s list.
· Culvert in East Fultonham – the alley between Elm and Axline – that has been taken care of.
· He asked if cameras needed put up at the Township Garage due to 4-wheelers that are running around. He figures they would need Wi-Fi to run them. Jason said that theft and joy riding on cinder piles has pretty much stopped down there. Discussion continued about possibly installing swing gates that would deter traffic. Craig said he could have the department IT guys figure out pricing for some different video options.
· Jo Garcia with GT Contracting has submitted a proposal for fixing the cracks in paved roads that are cracking in the amount of $68,700.00 – Foxfire, Stine, Moxahala Park, Nolan, Sunset, Jenkins, Woodland, Linn, Kennedy, Porter, Broadvue, Newton Dr., Lakewood, and Thorn.
Slack—
· They were supposed to blacktop Shaw this week but the rain has messed them up. So, they are supposed to do in next week – but it is raining again.
Fiscal Officer Report:
· Distributed Grassroots Clippings
· FO reminded Craig that she needed payroll for May 25th on Friday morning, May 22nd for processing since she will be out of town Memorial Day week. She also asked that the road department turn in their time sheets that morning as well, so their payroll could be processed for their May 31st pay.
· FO presented Nuisance Abatement Resolution 05/2025 for signature with regard to the Duane and Mindy Bolyard property at 3580 Charles Street, Roseville, Ohio 43777.
· FO distributed Asphalt Emulsion bid results from County Engineer’s Office.
Trustee Slack made a motion to pay bills. Trustee Dozer 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, June 10, 2025 at 6:00 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
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