The Margaretta Township Trustees met in regular session on January 17, 2008. Present were Mr. Pooch, Mr. Bias and Mr. Riesterer.

Mr. Bias moved, seconded by Mr. Pooch to approve the minutes, as presented by the Fiscal Officer from the January 3, 2008 meeting. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. Pooch moved, seconded by Mr. Bias to accept the financial reports submitted by the Fiscal officer. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. Bias moved, seconded by Mr. Pooch to approve and sign the warrants 7298-7299 & 7301-7318, presented for payment by the Fiscal Officer. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. Pooch moved, seconded by Mr. Bias to approve and sign the purchase orders, and blanket certificates presented in order to pay warrants for this year. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. Bias moved, seconded by Mr. Pooch to pay the invoice for 4 sets of bleachers, purchased by the Park Board, from Dave Williams & Co for $4150.00. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. David Bodi asked if anything had been done with the speed limit on Maple Ave. The trustees said that we have heard nothing and that it usually takes a long time for this type of thing.

Mr. Bias moved, seconded by Mr. Pooch to pay the GIS Cost Share participation fee for 2008 of $1000. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. Mike Conrad was in attendance to go over the proposed bridge replacement, by the county on Maple Ave, since this would involve the Farms property. Mr. Riesterer had a map and gave an explanation of what the county wants to do. The project would include moving the intersection. There was an extended discussion over the bridge replacement.

Mr. Pooch moved to pay the Firefighters, that are in the union, their pay increase difference from 1/1- 1/4/08 with their next pay. Mr. Bias seconded the motion. Vote: all ayes.

Chief Keimer gave his report. He has received an offer for our old ambulance from Put in Bay Township for more than our trade in will be. Tom also gave an update on the new ambulance.

Chief Keimer mentioned that Kathy Biecheler approached him with an alternative for the dispatching schedules, which would be to go to 12 hour shifts. After some discussion with the trustees on this issue, the trustees decided to table this option for now.

Tom gave a report on the recruiting seminar that he and Mr. Pooch attended.

Mr. Keimer gave an update on our grant for the self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA’s). He plans to open bids on February 1, 2008.

Jim Neill gave his road/cemetery report. He will get a copy of his inventory to the county ASAP.

Grants were discussed. There may be some opportunity for grant money for the township.

Mr. Pooch moved, seconded by Mr. Bias to grant the following vacation requests: Tom Jones for 2/4/08-2/8/08, and for Mr. Neill for 2/28/08. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. Bias moved, seconded by Mr. Pooch to have Bailey Tree and Landscaping prune and trim 4 oak trees in the cemetery for a cost of $1850.00. Vote: all ayes.

Mr. Bias moved, seconded by Mr. Pooch to contract with Baileys Tree and Landscaping to trim road side trees for a cost of $85/hr, up to 24 hrs. For a total cost of $2040 Vote: all ayes.

There will be a recycling workshop on February 26, 2008 at 10 a.m. Mr. Bias will attend this meeting. Mr. Riesterer said he had received our clean up grant application already.

Mr. Tom Johnson gave a zoning report. He mentioned that the house at 301 CR had been condemned and that it would need to be up to code before anyone can occupy it.

Tom hasn’t received any answer from Mr. Hensley, on his house that is half torn down, as to when he may finish taking it down. The trustees told Mr. Johnson to give Mr. Hensley until Feb. 7, 2008 to see some progress. After that date we will turn this over to the prosecutor’s office.

Tom mentioned that a house sold in Village Hill Estates and that 5 lots were sold and another house is going up.

Mr. Bias gave a Park Board report. He is looking over this year’s contracts for maintenance and the concessions.

Fiscal Officer, Mary Ann, mentioned that we need to do PO’s for the new Fire vehicles to be purchased. She is unsure what fund or funds this should come out of.

Mr. Bias moved, seconded by Mr. Pooch to adjourn. Vote: all ayes