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The McKean Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on May 10, 2021. The meeting was called to order by President Dannette McInturff with Trustees Wintermute, Schwartzenberger, Deputy Fiscal Officer Lindsey Hoskinson, McKean Township Zoning Inspector Larry Hansel, McKean Township Road Superintendent Terry Holtz in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

Discussion by public audience –

1. Kurt and Deanne Nightingale attended the meeting. They live at 7619 North Street and would like to get more involved in township business.

Reports –

1. Deputy Fiscal Officer
   a. Update on progress – reviewed what has been done so far
2. Road Supervisor
   a. Wince Road and Riley Road – request for paving
   b. Question brought forth regarding use of 8’s instead of 57’s as they are cheaper
   Motion made to do a trial on Riley Road and have it tailgated
   c. Madison Township may sell their road grader that we use.
   d. Residents inquiring about cemetery plots
3. Zoning Inspector
   a. Permits
   i. has issued 5 permits this month – 3 ag buildings, a porch, and Phillips Road
   ii. will start notifying county via email monthly and copy in Trustees, prior to each monthly meeting
   b. Other
   i. Lot split, Zoning issue, John Schmidt @ Fredonia Mall wants to build a farmers market shed (working with Planning Commission)
   ii. Phillips Road Subdivision – 2 lots have sold
   iii. Cul De Sac – Phillips Road

Old Business –

New Business –

1. Dannette McInturff, Trustee, discussed the need to bring the UAN computer up to date which includes 2020 and 2021 information. She moved that we release the UAN computer and all supporting documents received from retired Fiscal Officer Phyllis Ellas to Deborah Morgan, State of Ohio Auditor’s Visiting Clerk, who will update the books. Motion 2nd by Jeff Wintermute. Motion passed. Lindsey to give computer to Deb by end of the week.
2. Employees – Deputy Fiscal Officer Lindsey Hoskinson asked that all sign an updated w-4 and I-9. Forms were passed and all signed.
3. Jerry Schwartzenberger, Trustee, gave an update on the office being built inside the Township meeting room. All Fiscal Officer documents and computers will remain in the Township House upon completion.
4. Jeff Wintermute, Trustee, proposed hiring John Foster as part-time road employee to replace former part-time help who retired and moved out of state.

Needs for a 2nd employee due to the abundance of work including:
i. Snow plowing – spread grits on dirt roads, spread salt on paved roads
ii. Road grading and patching – 26 miles of roads, 10 ½ of which remain gravel
iii. Mowing roads – 52 lane miles to mow, 2 passes in Spring, 3 passes in Fall
iv. Hauling dirt spoils from ditching
v. Equipment and building maintenance
Trustees interviewed, discussed and approved hiring. John has a good driving record and Class A CDL. He will be scheduled for drug screen. Start date will begin upon receipt of passing drug screen results.

5. A letter from Fiscal Officer, Phyllis Ellas was received notifying the Board of Trustees of her decision to officially retire effective April 30, 2021. A copy of the retirement letter was sent to State of Ohio Auditor’s Visiting Clerk Deborah Morgan and McKean Twp legal representation, Matthew Stewart of Licking County Prosecutor’s office.
6. The Board of Trustees all expressed their gratitude and sadness with the retirement of Phyllis. She held her office since her initial appointment in 1982 following the death of her father-in-law Norman Ellas who was the clerk at that time. Phyllis is known as the “Matriarch” of Licking County Township Clerks/Fiscal officers throughout the county. Many new clerks/fiscal officers sought her out for advice and counsel on how to do their job. Her dedication, tenacity, ethics, memory/recall and leadership is legendary. The citizens of McKean were fortunate to have her as their clerk/fiscal officer for almost 40 yrs.

Other Items –

1. Payroll checks were signed
2. Bill payment checks were reviewed, approved and signed by Trustees
3. Next regular meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2021

Recorded/submitted by: Deputy Fiscal Officer, Lindsey Hoskinson

On April 22, 2021 the McKean Township Trustees met in Special Session at 6pm as visibly posted April 20, 2021 on the township building meeting room door and bulletin board for:

THE APPOINTMENT OF A DEPUTY FISCAL OFFICER AND ASSOCIATED ACTIONS

Trustee McInturff, Schwartzenberger, Wintermute and Fiscal Officer Ellas answered the rollcall. After the pledge it was noted also in attendance were Mr. Dave Ellas, husband of Fiscal Officer Phyllis Ellas, and Lindsey Hoskinson, candidate for Deputy Fiscal Officer.

President of the Board Dannette McInturff addressed Fiscal Officer Phyllis Ellas by expressing on behalf of herself and her fellow trustees a deep personal affection for Phyllis as well as a concern for her current state of health and associated physical disabilities and challenges. She stated O.R.C. 507 offered a remedy to the trustees to relieve the burden of the duties of her Fiscal Officer (FO) position until her health is restored. Trustee McInturff explained that FO Ellas would remain in her elected position according to ORC but would not perform as such until she felt she could resume and fulfill her duties.

FO Ellas concurred that she needed a break to focus on her health and in particular the restoration of the use of her hands. She thanked the board for their understanding.

Trustee McInturff then addressed Lindsey Hoskinson asking if she would accept the appointment as Deputy Fiscal Officer. Hoskinson said yes. A motion by Trustee Wintermute and seconded by Trustee Schwartzenberger to adopt Resolution 4-22-21 “Resolution to Appoint a Deputy Fiscal Officer” was unanimously approved. A bond form for the Deputy Fiscal Officer was completed by Hoskinson, witnessed by McInturff and will be furnished to the Twp insurance agency for bonding.

Trustee McInturff then made a phone call to State of Ohio Visiting Clerk Deborah Morgan. Discussion regarding what her role in the transition would be followed with all Trustees, Fiscal Officer Ellas and Deputy Fiscal Officer Hoskinson participating. A motion by Trustee Schwartzenberger and seconded by Trustee Wintermute to engage Ms. Morgan services in this transition was unanimously approved.

Deputy Fiscal Officer Hoskinson will create a dedicated email account for all Fiscal Officer communications. She will coordinate directly with the Ellas household and Township Superintendent Holtz for the removal of the township computer, printer, records and all associated documents from the home to the township building within the week. Deputy Fiscal Officer Hoskinson will also coordinate with
Visiting Clerk Morgan on the setup of the computer, UAN, State Auditor’s office, PERS, Park National Bank, and the reconciliation of all township accounts etc.

President of the Board Dannette McInturff closed the meeting with a statement to Phyllis of indescribable yet definitely deserved respect and a debt of gratitude for the more than 39 yrs. of exemplary service in her position as clerk/fiscal office. Trustee Wintermute and Trustee Schwartzenberger likewise stated their respect and gratitude to Phyllis directly.

Motion by McInturff to adjourn was issued at 7:35 pm

Recorded/submitted by: Dannette McInturff, Trustee

The McKean Township Trustees met in regular session at 7:00 pm on Monday, April 12, 2021 with Trustees McInturff, Schwartzenberger, Wintermute in attendance.

Due to illness, Fiscal Officer Phyllis Ellas attended by phone. The group was led in the pledge to the flag by Trustee McInturff.

Audience – Bev Hansel

Zoning – Zoning Inspector Larry Hansel reported the following zoning applications/permits
4608 Philipps Road – New Home
4770 Lafayette Road – New Home
2360 Sportsman Club – Porch Addition
2771 Dutch Lane – New barn – Agriculture, no permit required

Roads – Road Superintendent Terry Holtz reported the new tractor/mower was delivered. He has been grading roads and applying gravel. Terry has put the word out we are hiring for the part-time assistant. Wintermute said he has someone who is interested and would like Terry to meet with before our May meeting at which time the Trustees will interview all interested parties. Trustee Schwartzenberger
has been researching possible funding sources/options for improvements to Riley Road and Philipps Road. Improvement costs of either road far exceed the township’s ability to fund without significant financial assistance in the form of state or federal loans or grants.

Reports – Trustees reviewed the monthly bills. Motion to pay them was made by Trustee McInturff and seconded by Trustee Wintermute. Licking County Prosecutors office has recommended appointment of a Deputy Fiscal Officer to assist Phyllis while she focuses on her health and recovery.  Fiscal Officer Ellas said she will consider doing so and let the Trustees know.

Motion to adjourn by Trustee McInturff, Seconded by Schwartzenberger, all agreed. Meeting adjourned
at 9:15 pm

Submitted by: President of the Board of Trustees Dannette McInturff