Village of Thurston

Council Meeting Minutes

October 10, 2002

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Hite. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Roll call: Robert Ortman – Present; Nona Buskirk – Present; Mary Barber – Absent; Roger Aubery – Present; Warren Simpson – Present; JT Hilliard – Absent; Jo-Ann Hite – Present; Aaron Reedy – Present.

Other residents present: Lowell Hite, Marilyn Hodge, Mike Jackson, Jamie Carroll, Kent Leitnaker, Warren Simpson, Sr., and Owen Keller. Deputy Dixon and Lt. Gary Kennedy were present from the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Mayor Hite handed the meeting over to Lt. Kennedy. He announced that in the last couple of months, the Sheriff’s Office has issued 21 speed citations, 8 “other” citations, 9 warnings and 0 overload citations. He said the speed trailer was in the village for 13 days. They sampled 472 cars. The average speed was 33.5 m.p.h. Lt. Kennedy said they would continue to monitor the situation. He brought some brochures and Community Watch stickers.

JoAnn said she’s gotten complaints about a church bus parked on Third St. She asked if it was classified the same as a semi-truck. Lt. Kennedy said the church bus is not a commercial vehicle. If it’s blocking the view of the cross street, we should ask them to move it.

Marilyn Hodge asked if the speed trailer would be coming back into the village in the future. Lt. Kennedy said it would be brought in on a random basis. People all over Fairfield County want to use it, but there is only one for the county. It costs $8,000.

Mike Jackson commended Dep. Ed Curry for chasing the four-wheelers off. Someone asked about loud music and cars. Lt. Kennedy said there was no noise ordinance in Walnut Twp.

Marilyn Hodge asked how they could make the yellow line going west on Route 256 a solid double line so cars can’t pass in front of her house. Lt. Kennedy said she would have to write a letter to the District 5 ODOT to request that.

Lowell said the Sheriff’s Office did a good job for us. JoAnn agreed. Warren Simpson Sr. thanked them for finally getting his tools back that were stolen.

Warren Simpson Jr. asked how much it would be to have a part-time cruiser. They didn’t come with the figures, but thought it was around $20 per hour for the off-duty officer, and $5.00 per hour for the use of the patrol car. Lt. Kennedy said we need to figure out what we want, and they will try to accommodate us. He said if we hire a deputy as patrol for Thurston, they could enforce our ordinances. There may be some grants available to help us hire them.

After being thanked by everyone at the meeting, the officers left the council chambers.

JoAnn asked Owen Keller if he needed anything. He said that he finished Long St. and wants to know if the Village of Thurston is ready to accept it. If so, he’ll get a deed and any other information ready. He’s proposing giving a 24’x 475’ section to the Village. He’s keeping a 1-foot section along the east side of the street so no one can come in and tear up the road. He’ll donate that part later after he sees what’s going on along that side of the road. If someone on that side wants to tap in to the water or sewer, he can charge them some money, or recoup some of the cost he has in the road paving. JoAnn said Council would discuss it.

Chief Mike Jackson announced that the disaster-planning project is all assigned and should be compiled by 11/13/02. He said they had wired the weather radio to the siren today. On the first Wednesday of each month, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., they will test the siren.

Mike asked JoAnn if she wanted to implement the “Red Light Policy” and have everyone sign the forms. Also, the forms that say they have insurance. JoAnn said it would be a good idea.

Mike said that the Fire Department will be out trying to slow traffic down during Trick-or-Treat on October 31^st.

Mike said they would like to flush hydrants on October 19^th between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Mike said the budget would be coming. He knows they need to submit it to Council by November meeting. Mike said he appointed Jamie Carroll and Eddie Welker as probationary lieutenants. They will help with the budget calculations.

Mike asked if JoAnn wanted to start swearing-in firefighters now, or wait until we had employee procedures. JoAnn said sometime in the future.

Mike said that we should get rid of the second squad (the one we got from Bloom Twp.) The Sheriff’s Office wants it for a mobile communications unit. JoAnn said we should check with the Village Solicitor. Trustees will also need to approve it.

Mike said the $1.00 donation day is postponed because everyone is busy. JoAnn asked about the pool money. Mike King was supposed to get that all added up, but hasn’t got to it yet.

Roger made a motion to donate the old squad to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, pending an official resolution and approval by Trustees. Nona second. Roll call vote: Robert – Yes, Nona – Yes, Roger – Yes, Warren – Yes.

Mike said that Sheriff Phalen borrowed the extra squad last year fro Hellscape at Fairfield Christian Church. They would like to borrow it again. Everyone agreed it was okay.

Mike said that Engine 622 (1978 Ford) sprang a leak and was taken out of service for repair. However, once it was repaired and the tank put back in place, it sprang two more leaks. Mike said he doesn’t have the money to maintain it. He would like our permission to take bids on it. He’d also like to get rid of the old grass truck (1962 GMC). He said it’s too old, and time to move on. He would like to replace both with an Engine/Rescue combo.

Warren made a motion to declare both units surplus and put them out for bid. Roger second. All yea.

Mike said Kent is still mowing and might mow two or three more times. Mike also announced that the fire department is selling the green number signs. They are $7.00 each.

Roger made a motion to approve the September 2002 minutes. Nona second. All yea.

Warren made a motion to approve the September 2002 financial statement. Nona second. All yea.

JoAnn said she had complaints about a semi truck parking on High St. She sent the ordinance on 9/24/2002, and hasn’t seen it back since.

Roger moved to adopt Ordinance # 2002-10-10-1, An Ordinance to Amend the 2002 Appropriations Ordinance and the Declaration of an Emergency. Warren second. All yea.

Nona moved to adopt Resolution # 2002-10-10-2, An Ordinance to Reappoint a Village Solicitor for the Village of Thurston, Ohio, to fix the compensation to be paid, and the Declaration of an Emergency. Robert second. All yea.

Warren moved to adopt Resolution # 2002-10-10-3, A Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Funds and the Declaration of an Emergency. Roger second. All yea.

Robert moved to adopt Ordinance # 2002-10-10-4, An Ordinance to Amend the 2002 Appropriations Ordinance and the Declaration of an Emergency. Roger second. All yea.

Joann asked if anyone heard anything about getting drains on Long St? Anyone talked to anybody? Everyone answered no.

JoAnn said they sprayed for mosquitoes 9/30/2002, which was the last time this year. She said we should look for someone else next year.

JoAnn announced that the week of October 6 – 12^th is Fire Prevention Week.

Aaron announced that Susan Lent from Waste Management would be here at our November meeting to offer an extension agreement for waste services.

JoAnn asked if anyone wanted to talk about anything. Nona said someone should contact Rose Roberts because of the kids playing out in the road. They put wood, nails, and boards out there for bike ramps. It’s very dangerous.

Robert said that Bob Black got somebody who will look at repairing the chimneys on the Municipal Building. He said that Bob Black thinks we need to draft a letter of thanks for the doors that were donated and installed on the back of the Municipal Building. JoAnn thinks we need to look at them now because they aren’t very good. Council did go out and look at them. Council doesn’t think they are finished yet. We will wait and see.

Roger said we should get a grant for police protection. Maybe we would find some sources on the Internet.

JoAnn said she is going to talk to the Township Trustees about snow removal for this year at their next meeting.

JoAnn asked if we were going to accept Long Street (per Owen Keller’s request). Lowell said there are fireplugs within 1000 feet of the road, so our fire rating shouldn’t go down.

Nona made a motion of intent to accept the Long Street extension from Owen Keller. Roger second. Roll call vote: Robert – yes, Nona – Yes, Roger – Yes, Warren – No. Aaron will ask the Village Solicitor to prepare the appropriate documents.

JoAnn said we should pass the ordinance accepting Moline Drive. Council agreed to look at the road at the next Committee meeting and vote on it at the next Council meeting.

Since there was no other business to address, Nona made a motion to pay bills and adjourn. Warren second. All yea.

Respectfully Submitted,

_______________________________

Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk