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The regular meeting of the Franklin Township Board of Trustees was called to order by Vice-Chairman Don Cook at 6:30 P.M. October 29, 2009 at 2193 Frank Road.

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

Vice-Chairman Cook gave the welcome.

ROLL CALL: Don Cook, yes, Paul Johnson, yes.

Chairman Guyton is on vacation.

MINUTES

Vice-Chairman Cook moved to dispense with the reading of the regular meeting minutes for October 15, 2009. Trustee Johnson seconded the motion. Vote taken: Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

Vice-Chairman Cook moved to approve the regular meeting minutes for October 15, 2009, as typed. Trustee Johnson seconded the motion. Vote taken: Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #09-161

BILLS & PAYROLL

Trustee Johnson moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approve payroll in the amount of $129,252.06 and bills in the amount of $97,836.47 totaling $227,088.53 from Check #20316 to check #20417.

Vice-Chairman Cook seconded the Resolution. The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

Trustee Johnson read the Purchase Orders.

Fire Department: 09-243 Staples – Office supplies $230.31, 09-244 Earls Truck Service – M193 Fuel tank sending unit $542.71, 09-245 Finley Fire Equipment – SCBA hydrostatic testing $200.20, 09-246 B & C Communications – Portable radio repair $371.50, 09-247 Horton Company – M193 Kussmaul auto eject $290.46, 09-248 Finley Fire Equipment – Single wire lite for E193 $24.21, 09-249F A-Tech Autobody – Replace hose tarp for E-192 $875.00, 09-250F Minuteman Press – Fire & EMS stamps and envelopes $105.70, 09-251F Wingfoot – Tire repairs for M192 $101.91, 09-252 Grainger – Furnace filters for Station 192 $78.60, 09-253 Sams Club – Blanket station supplies $300.00, 09-254 ZEP- November blanket station supplies $300.00, 09-255 Lowe’s – November blanket repairs $150.00, 09-256 NAPA – November blanket repairs $150.00, 09-257 Boundtree et al – November EMS supplies $3,000.00, 09-258 Finley Fire Equipment – SCBA Testing & repairs $246.00, 09-259 Work Health – Firefighters and Medic’s exposure screening not covered by BWC $160.00, 09-260 ZEP – Hand sanitizers, dispensers and solution for H1N1 precautions $150.56. Police Department: P-09-58 Coast to Coast - Drug test kits $196.44, P-09-59 Department of Public Safety City of Columbus – Radio service charges for July, August and September $766.78, P-09-60 Goodyear Tires – Tire had been cut in sidewall, could not be repaired $112.84, P09-61 Sams Club – Lysol, hand soap, paper towels, and coffee pot $112.09. Road Department: 09-140-R Sams Club – Shop supplies $42.09, 09-141-R Home Depot – Hot water heater for Township hall $406.00, 09-142R Lowes – Replacement generator - $429.00, 09-143-R Sutherlands – Mortar mix and caution barrier tape $34.34, 09-144-R Tractor Supply – Work coat and grease $75.97, 09-145-R E.C. Babbert – Catch basin, riser, and grate for repairs on Hopkins and Brown $776.91, 09-146-R Shelly Material – Gravel for new catch basin on Hopkins $57.45, 09-148-R Sherwin Williams – Paint to finish fire hydrants $65.95, 09-149-R Sutherlands – Pipe & fittings for installing water heater $49.82. Administrative / General Office Use: 09-031G Grove City Office Supplies – Folders, tape, batteries, and cleaner $76.93.

POLICE DEPARTMENT / CHIEF CASTLE

Chief Castle thanked the Board for the condolences he received upon the death of his father two weeks earlier. He also commended the Franklin Township Firemen who had given care to his father.

Ralph Horn of 1610 North Eastfield Drive also commented that he had received compliments for the Franklin Township Medics on the care they had given Mr. Sloan’s wife, a Brown Road resident, before her death.

Chief Castle presented a letter from a Township resident living at 1914 Hopkins Avenue commending Police Officer Byron Smith on the performance of his duties. The letter will be placed in Officer Smith’s personnel file.

Chief Castle reported on the taser training that all Franklin Township Police Officers had received last week. They are now certified to use tasers.

An audience member, Mark Schreck of 1850 Harrisburg Pike, made a complaint to Chief Castle about the Franklin Township Police Department in general regarding the tearing up of his property and trespassing on his property that has taken place during the current construction work going on. He reported that he has called the Township Police on several occasions requesting that they do something about this and that nothing had been done. Consequently, he intends to contact the Attorney General’s office requesting that the Franklin Township Police Department be abolished for derelict of duties. He said he has had problems with the Franklin Township Police Department for three years for not stopping the trespassing on his property by utility companies and contractors. He said the Sheriff Department responds, but the Township Police Department does nothing. He complained that Officer Francies neglected his duties in not having construction workers be removed from his property and Sheriff Joel Chavez said that Mr. Schreck had a legitimate complaint about the trespassing.

Chief Castle responded to Mr. Schreck that he was free to go to the County Prosecutor’s Office to file his complaint with Mrs. Gray.

An audience member, Robin Watkins of 3347 Dover Road, asked Chief Castle why she had not been notified that a Tier 2 (two) sex offender was living near her. Chief Castle responded that the Sheriff’s Department sends out these notices and told her to report this to the Detective Bureau (462-3350). Ms. Watkins admitted that she has experienced problems with proper mail delivery at her home and that this could explain the fact that she had not received notification.

FIRE DEPARTMENT / CHIEF HOWARD

Chief Howard introduced the Fire Department Captain, Mark Kidd who gave a report on upgrading the cellular phone service at Franklin Township. Captain Kidd was asked by the Trustees to look into the upgrading of our service several months ago. Captain Kidd had researched this information with AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint/Nextel with whom we presently have our service. Lengthy discussion followed regarding cell phone usage and abuses. Vice-Chairman Cook stated that we don’t need more minutes but less abuse of personal phone calls, which cost the Township money. He specifically stated that Trustees should not have their cell phone service paid for by the Township. Trustee Johnson stated that he was in favor of having Franklin Township step into the 21^st century and upgrade its cellular phone service. He commended Captain Kidd for his thorough research of the matter.

Captain Kidd said for safety reasons, the Road Department needs to be able to tie into the cellular phone service rather than using their own personal cell phones to make calls. The B & C Communication towers are not up to par because of their location downtown creating a lot of static.

Captain Kidd said that Sprint offers the best deal and has multiple towers to provide good service to us. There would only be a $64.00 additional charge per month for the upgraded service ($464.37 per month for new service). We would not need to pay B & C Communications additionally.

The Fire Department cell phones and phones used on their trucks are ten years old and very out of date.

Audience member, Robin Watkins, stated that she felt that our Township should have the best and most updated service for the safety of everyone involved and that most problems could be eliminated with a good cell phone policy with consequences and disciplinary action taken against abusers.

Trustee Johnson made a motion to move forward with the Sprint/Nextel proposal Captain Kidd had received to upgrade our cellular phone service. Vice-Chairman Cook seconded the motion. Vote taken: Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

Chief Howard reported on the results of the bi-annual promotional exams for the position of Lieutenant and Captain that were given at Station 192 the morning of October 10, 2009. Exams are given every two years. Results were that eight out of ten applicants passed the Lieutenant exam and that both Captain exam applicants had passed. Further assessments will take place for Lieutenant on November 13, 2009 and for Captain on December 5, 2009.

Chief Howard reminded everyone about the Spring Forward/Fall Back time change this weekend and to replace smoke detector batteries at this time.

Chief Howard gave an update on the new fire truck purchase. The Pierce purchase order went to the County Prosecutor’s office for examination and final tweaks, and he should hear something back in the next few days. Once all paperwork is signed, the Township will need to put in its share on the contract payment. Monies will need to be transferred from the general fund to have available to write the down payment check.

Chief Howard reported that we continue to have problems with our new insurance carrier, Medical Mutual Insurance., in the processing of claims for the Township firemen and their families. He will contact Brian Savage of Ohio Insurance Services to report any problems.

ROAD DEPARTMENT / JIM STEVENS

Jim reported on the status of the purchase of the new house generator for 2193 Frank Road from ESP, Inc., which is still four to six weeks, away from being installed.

Jim reported about problematic trees in the township. There are two in the alley south of Little Ave., 1(one) between Little & Hopkins, and 1(one) in the cemetery. Peterman Tree Service had quoted a price of $7,700.00 for removal of 3 (three) of the trees. Chairman Guyton had suggested getting three prices through Resolution #09-156 to get a total of three (3) bids at a cost not to exceed $10,300.00 and giving Jim the authority to contract for the removal of four (4) trees including the one in the cemetery and leaving the cut wood close to the ground to be brought back to the Township office for the use of residents.

Jim has heard back from Peterman that they would include the tree in the cemetery in their original bid of $7,700.00. He has also requested a bid from Grove City Tree Service and is awaiting that bid.

Jim reported that there are no residences under House Bill #50 that need attention at this time. He reported that the Township Road crew had mowed fifteen times more properties this year than in the past. We should have approximately $4,000.00 coming to the Township under this bill through property tax assessments.

Audience member Robin Watkins asked Jim to check on the Dover Rd. burned house property for mowing. This house is directly across the street from her house and is an eyesore. Jim said that the property owner intends to tear this property down. She also reported illegal dumping behind the UDF on Wilson Rd.

Jim reported that another meeting with ODOT is coming up regarding the drainage problems on Belmead and Hopkins created by the Harrisburg Pike construction project. He will keep the Board informed of the outcome.

Jim brought up the recent Road Department truck accident involving Harold Aldrich and Tom Chesshir. Since it was a rear-end situation, Tom was cited and given a ticket which he will have to pay.

Vice-Chairman Cook made a motion to accept the Accident Review Board findings of this at-fault accident, but with no disciplinary action taken against Tom Chesshir. Trustee Johnson seconded the motion. Vote taken: Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

Vice-Chairman Cook moves with no further business to discuss or questions from the audience to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Johnson seconded the motion. Vote taken: Cook, yes, Johnson, yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:50P.M.

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Don Cook, Vice-Chairman

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Paul Johnson, Trustee

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Bonnie Watkinson, Fiscal Officer