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PERRY TOWNSHIP – The board of trustees took the first step in seeking the renewal of a levy for the police department in its meeting Monday.
Trustees voted unanimously to approve a resolution of necessity requesting the county auditor certify tax valuation information in anticipation of levying a tax in excess of the 10-mill limitation. Trustees Chairman Steve Bailey said that this was in preparation to place the renewal of the 1.5 mill police department levy on the ballot in fall, and that since it is a renewal and not a new levy, if approved, taxpayers would not pay any more than they already are. First approved in 1995, the levy has been renewed in five-year intervals since then and generates approximately $125,000.
Other police matters approved included the purchase of six sets of body armor from Blue Line LTD for $18,871.40 for the police department. Bailey said that these sets are a newer model with side protection and the ability to slot in additional armor panels when necessary. Bailey also said that the township will be reimbursed $14,228.55 by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, meaning the actual expense to the township will be $4,642.85, and that Police Chief Richard Kimble is currently pursuing additional grant funding which, if awarded, would pay for half of the township's remaining balance for the armor.
Trustees also heard comments from resident James Tolson, who expressed concerns with the quality of communications surrounding his application to the board of zoning appeals. Tolson said that he had not been notified about the board's meeting to discuss his appeal, which is scheduled for next week, by Zoning Officer Jeffrey Christopher. "I put $500 down so you could send letters out to my neighbors and that, and I got a copy of the letter, but I was never called or notified or anything about the meeting next week," said Tolson.
Tolson explained he will be out of town on vacation next week and unable to represent himself at the meeting should any of his neighbors attend and raise concerns about the garage he is looking to build, ultimately requesting that the meeting be re-scheduled if possible so he can be present.
Bailey said that Christopher should have notified him and apologized if he had not, and ultimately agreed to look into having the meeting re-scheduled for a date Tolson can attend after he returns from vacation.
During his report Trustee Tony Ieropoli said that the road department had prepped Egypt Road for chip and seal this summer and had installed 30 tons of blacktop as part of the process.
Trustee Jim Armeni announced that Firefighter Tim Spiker passed his Fire One Class, completing his certification. Armeni also announced that he had been one of five attendees to a NOPEC webinar focused on improving their community outreach, and that for attending the township would receive $250 from NOPEC to distribute to a charity of their choice. Bailey and Ieropoli agreed that since Armeni attended the webinar, he should pick which charity should receive the donation.
Also discussed was a quote from Garage Door Openers and Doors to replace three garage doors and two openers at the south station for $11,369. Bailey said that two of the doors to be replaced would be for the fire department, while the third would be for the road department, and both openers would be for the road department. Bailey also said that the township would be reimbursed for the cost of the quote from the NOPEC Energy Savings Grant, and Ieropoli said that this would leave only two doors at the south station left to be replaced. Trustees voted unanimously to approve the quote.
Other matters approved included the purchase new equipment for the fire department including turnout gear from Blue Line LTD for $7,968, four Indian tanks from Municipal Emergency Services for $1,120, and 13 LED streamlights for $779.87, for a total of $9867.87, and a motion to decrease the General Fund Tax Collection Fees by $2,800 and increase the General Fund Election Expenses by $2,800.
Trustees canceled their next regularly scheduled meeting, which would have fallen on Memorial Day, and will have their next regular meeting at 4 p.m. June 10.