Trustees disagree on number of committees

Kathy Miller believes citizen committees that make recommendations to trustees would be a benefit.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- How many citizen committees are too many?
That seemed to be a question at Monday's regular township trustees meeting.
Trustee Kathy Miller has suggested the creation of at least 10 citizen committees including one to examine the township's personnel needs, a capital improvement committee, a committee to review requirements for a new fire station and committees for zoning, flooding and storm water, future planning, marketing and beautification.
Trustee Elaine Mancini questioned the necessity of a handful of some of the proposed panels.
For one committee, Miller pointed out that the employment contracts for Police Chief Jeffrey Patterson and Curt Seditz, township administrator, expire at the end of this year.
She suggested that a committee be established to determine the township's future personnel needs. Miller said it would be part of long-range planning for the township.
"What do you think our job is?" Mancini asked.
As "duly elected officials," it's the trustees' job to make those kinds of decisions, Mancini said.
Miller said she's not a human resources professional and that she believes recommendations from committees comprised of representatives of the public would be of benefit to the township.
"You know what the job involves. You have a master's degree in public administration," Mancini said.
She added that if Miller has questions about human resources, she could ask Christina Griffith, the township's deputy administrator, within whose job human resource issues fall.
Trustees Chairwoman Robyn Gallitto suggested that Miller meet with Seditz and Griffith to talk about what such a committee would entail.
Fire station
Mancini also took issue with the committee proposed to make recommendations regarding the location of the fire station, zoning, capital improvements and flooding and storm water.
Miller's description of the capital improvement committee says that unexpected windfalls from inheritance tax should be prioritized "to accomplish projects the community has identified as important."
Mancini said the trustees are elected to do that job.
The process to address flooding in the township is under way, with projects already started and some completed, she said. Zoning already consists of a zoning commission, board of zoning appeals and site review committee comprised of residents, Mancini said.
Fire Chief James Dorman has said he believes the best place for a main fire station to replace the one on U.S. Route 224 that's deteriorating is that same spot because most calls for service come from that area.
Mancini said the fire chief and trustees need to determine a location for the station.
She supports the idea of citizen input, "But we're responsible for these decisions," Mancini said.