Council
Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order at
Meeting Attendees were introduced. Ernie Harter, Robert Black (Thurston High
Heritage Association), Mike Jackson (Fire Chief), Sheriff Dave Phalen, Warren
Hiles.
Roll call: Bob Ortman
– Present; Nona Buskirk – Present; Roger Aubery – Present; Mary Barber –
Present; Warren Simpson – Present; Kim Duncan – Present; Jo-Ann Hite – Present;
Aaron Reedy – Absent.
JoAnn turned meeting over to the Sheriff Phalen. Nona said she thought there ought to be more
patrols through town because the kids are putting up basketball hoops and
playing ball in the middle of the road.
They won’t get out of the way when cars come. This is on High Street by the railroad
tracks. JoAnn said he had already been
informed about the motorcycle problem.
Sheriff Phalen said he has spoken to a woman named Lisa about that motorcycle
issue. Ernie Harter said there are also
problems with loud engines coming through town on Route 256. Nona said she was concerned with those same
cars coming through and hitting the kids on High Street. JoAnn said there was also a problem with cars
speeding into town around the curve by the firehouse.
Mike Jackson asked Sheriff Phalen about their bicycle
patrol. Sheriff Phalen said they are random as their manpower permits. They try to do it occasionally, but for
shorter period of times. You can cover
more area in a motor vehicle. They will
put a bike or two in an area if they are trying to handle a particular problem.
Nona said she heard through the grapevine that there is a
patch of pot growing by the old mill.
JoAnn said she thought it was around the railroad. Sheriff Phalen asked Chief Jackson to check
out those areas and personally call him if he finds anything. Mike said he would. JoAnn said you could see people passing stuff
back and forth.
Sheriff Phalen said that during his seven months in office,
he has been trying to restore public trust in that office, trying to
professionalize the office, and to work on moral. He said they have an open-door policy. If anyone wants to see how they are spending
the money, they can. If anyone drops the
ball and makes a mistake, Sheriff Phalen will be the first one to admit it and
take the responsibility for it. His
heart is to have a very good office, but it will take some time. Another plan for the department is that any
job that can be done by a civilian, will be replaced
by a civilian. This is to get deputies
out on the street. He is trying to be a
good steward of the money. If we have
any problems in the community, he will do his best to address them. He said if anyone has a problem,
please feel free to contact him.
JoAnn brought up the issue with high weeds on a particular
property in the Village bothering a neighbor child with asthma. It was Sheriff Phalen’s understanding that it
was taken care of. JoAnn said it had not
been as of a couple days ago. JoAnn will
check.
Bob Black asked about the Sheriff Department’s books. Sheriff Phalen said they’ve put a couple of
safety checks in place. Not only do the
numbers go through the Sheriff, but there is an independent person in their
office that checks, also. He also called
the State Auditor and told them he wanted an audit after the first year. He is basically trying to say that they are
not trying to hide anything.
Ernie Harter asked if they have installed a new bookkeeping
system. Sheriff Phalen said they have
put in a checks-and-balance system. He
explained how it basically worked. He
stated he wants to be accountable. The
county does not audit the Sheriff’s department, the State does.
The department, however, follows the county’s
procedures.
Bob Ortman asked about junk cars being removed from private
property. Sheriff Phalen said there is a
means of doing it, but it’s not quick.
The car has to meet certain criteria.
He has a deputy in charge of that for the entire county.
Mike Jackson stated the Fire Department has never had a
problem with any of the Sheriff’s deputies, and he’s appreciative of the help.
JoAnn said we had a deputy give us the papers needed to move
junk cars. He helped get some taken away
a few months ago. JoAnn said she didn’t
like these people coming in from out-of-town and leaving cars, but she didn’t
have a problem with the people who live here.
Warren said there was a pickup on Third Street now. They got an old red car that sat for 3 years moved
off the street and put on private property.
Kim Duncan said she appreciated having him as Sheriff. It’s nice to have a good, Christian man in
office. Sheriff Phalen said it was nice
to have people interested enough to keep things going in small villages like
Thurston. Sheriff Phalen left stating
that he would follow-up with the motorcycle issues, and leaving an open door
for any issue.
Bob Black asked JoAnn about the building inspection. She said the man said it was good. He went upstairs, but not downstairs. JoAnn said he was an insurance man, not
really a building inspector. He was more
interested in the lights and wiring improvements the State suggested. Bob said he had a window bill for the two
busted on the second floor of the municipal building, and was wondering if our
insurance would cover it. We have a
$1000 deductible, so it would be better to just pay it ourselves. Bob said he fixed both windows that were
broken. Bob said he billed the Plexiglas
to himself. The bill is $96.00 for the
two windows. JoAnn said she thought the
bill should be in the Village’s name for the auditor’s purpose. JoAnn said she would call and get the bill
changed. Roger made a motion to pay for
both windows. Nona second. Roll call vote – all yea.
Mike gave a stack of receipts to JoAnn. He said he was going to give them to Aaron. JoAnn said Aaron was on vacation. Also gave a list of names of people where
they have hauled water to for pools, and a check for that water. Had an accident today involving a dog. The dog ran into our medic while it was on a
run. The dog died. The air horn now needs replaced. The air horn is $195.00. Needs a PO for it. The new medic has been experiencing some
electrical problems. The voltage
regulator is out of adjustment. They
reset it, but it may need replaced. Mike
said last night they continued to have problems. They took it in to get model numbers off of
it, and when they pulled in, the water pump started leaking. The squad is out of service while it’s
sitting at Baltimore Truck. They need a
new water pump and voltage regulator.
Mike said the maintenance fund for trucks is pretty much shot. He doesn’t know how much is in there. Mike said they might have to change
appropriations. The air horn can wait,
but the other things need replaced. Mike
said this is one of the line items that Walnut Township cut down in the budget,
but we have old equipment that is costlier to repair. If we have to do a change in appropriations,
we might have to have an emergency meeting, then have Township Trustees approve,
and then send in to the County.
Mike said there have been no other problems than that. Things are running smoothly, and the run
count has been up. Tina Singleton has
been busy with Fire Inspections.
Everyone has been cooperative.
She only found minor things that needed corrected.
Mike said that he, Jason Whipple, Jamie Carroll, and Heath
Garrett called the State Fire Marshall’s office and put their name on the list
of volunteers that would be willing to go to World Trade Center disaster
site. They have plenty of volunteer’s at
this time, but could be called upon later.
Mike brought up the development that Owen Keller is putting
in off of the end of Broad Street. Mike
asked if the BOPA was going to flip for the cost of extending the six-inch
water line from Wilson back through the “development.” Mike said he will stand strong and his
department will firmly oppose any development back there until that main is
enlarged. Mike said Mr. Keller must
follow State regulations. Lowell said he
doesn’t have to put a hydrant in at all because it’s not a development. Mike said if he sells off more than one lot,
in the eyes of the State, it’s a development.
He has to follow rules. Lowell
said that Owen doesn’t even have to run a water line back there. Mike just wants to make sure everyone knows
he officially opposes it.
Nona asked if Mike had the water meter put in at the
firehouse yet. Mike said no. Nona said she thought it was about time he
get it put in, since he keeps saying he’s going to do it. Mike said the BOPA was actually making more
money this way since the Fire Department is paying for more water than they are
actually using. JoAnn said we don’t know
that. Lowell said everyone should have a
meter. Mike said he’d get it in one of
these days, if he can ever find a plumber to put it in. No one seems to want to do it. If anyone knows of anyone, he’s open to
suggestions.
Mike said several people in town have wanted to burn things,
but have been told they couldn’t.
However, some people are trying to sneak it at night. They aren’t patrolling for it, so just call
them if someone is doing it. JoAnn said
someone is burning garbage and the town smells.
Mike can’t figure out where it’s coming from.
Mike said they will have the trucks out on Trick-or-Treat
night as usual. This will be between
6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2001.
Roger made a motion to approve the August 2001 minutes with
a name correction. Mary second. Roll call vote - all yea.
Bob made a motion to approve the August 2001 financial statement. Warren second. Roll call vote - all yea.
Roger moved to adopt Ordinance #2001-07-12-1, An Ordinance
Requiring That Sidewalks, Curbs, And Gutters Be Kept In Repair and Free From
Nuisances. Bob second. Roll Call vote – Bob, yes; Nona, yes; Mary, yes;
Kim, yes; Warren, no; Roger, yes.
Roger moved to adopt Resolution # 2001-09-13-1, A Resolution
Accepting The Amounts And Rates As Determined By The Fairfield County Budget
Commission And Authorizing The Necessary Tax Levies And Certifying Them To The County
Auditor. Bob second. Roll Call vote - Bob, yes; Nona, yes; Mary,
yes; Kim, yes; Warren, yes; Roger, yes.
JoAnn said she got the invoice for the window repair from
Bob Black, but it is in his name. She
said we wouldn’t pay for that because the auditor would have a problem with
it.
Warren made a motion to allow the mayor to sign all paperwork that comes in from M&E so we don’t have to wait for Aaron. JoAnn said that sometimes she doesn’t see him for a week. Roger second. Roll Call vote – all yea.
Council discussed possible future street, sidewalk, and
storm sewer improvements in the Village, with the assistance of Issue 2
money. The possible improvements could
be:
Improvement Cost
Third Street Storm Sewer $32,750
Third Street Sidewalks $15,400
High Street Improvements $59,500
Maple Street Improvements $37,700
Main Street Sidewalks $55,400
Liberty Homes called JoAnn and told her that they will be
fixing the Broad Street pavement problem soon.
After careful discussion, it was decided that we should try
for $103,550 for the Third Street Storm Sewer improvement, Third Street
Sidewalk improvement, and the Main Street Sidewalk improvement. Roger moved to adopt Resolution # 2001-09-13-2,
A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Prepare and Submit an Application to
Participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvements
and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program(s) and to Execute Contracts as
Required. Mary second. Roll Call vote – All yea.
Council discussed the bids received for the Issue II
grant. Roger made a motion to accept the
bid from Darby Creek for $57,146.24 for the Village of Thurston Storm Sewer
Improvements Phase II, and alternate bid of $18,282.26, for a total of
$75,428.50. Nona second. Roll call vote – all yea.
Lowell would like to have some patching done within the
Village. Roger made motion to allow
Lowell to get some pavement patching done.
Nona second. All yea. Lowell will be taking care of it.
JoAnn announced that the $15,000 CD from the General Fund is
matured. Lowell said he would shop it
around. Roger made a motion allow Lowell
to do so.
JoAnn announced that Baltimore is raising their water rates
3%.
JoAnn announced a seat on the water board is open, but no one
is here for it.
JoAnn announced that a man from the insurance company came
today to inspect the street building, municipal building and firehouse. Everything was okay.
JoAnn asked if there was any new business.
As there was no more business to discuss, Mary made a motion
to pay bills and adjourn. Roger
second. All yea.
Respectfully Submitted,
_______________________________
Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk