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Trustee meetings at 7 a.m. irk some in Beaver Twp.
By Ashley Luthern
North Lima
Beaver Township residents have expressed concern about the time and frequency of special government meetings, but administrators say they’re necessary.
In 2010, township trustees have met for regular meetings once a month. They also have had 11 special meetings, often around 7 a.m.
“The special meetings in the morning, could those [issues] be discussed in the following general meeting?” asked township resident Gary Delost during the Aug. 14 trustee meeting.
Trustee Larry Wehr said the majority of special meetings are about appropriations, and that it would be redundant to discuss them at regular meetings.
“Most [special meetings] only last three to four minutes to make a change in appropriations,” Wehr said. “...The special meeting has to be specific as to what the meeting’s for. It isn’t like we’re meeting and talking about other things.”
Wehr added that anyone can see the minutes for the special meetings after they are approved during the next regular meeting. Minutes are available at the township administration building, 11999 South Ave., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The township has a budget of $3.7 million and all line items within appropriations have to be approved by the trustees, said Richard Lotze, fiscal officer.
The special meetings are necessary to approve those appropriation changes if, for example, a bid came in and a purchase order needs to be signed, Lotze said.
“The trustees meet once a month and that makes it difficult. My office can’t wait,” he said.
Of the 11 special meetings, five were related to appropriations changes at 7 or 7:30 a.m., two were bid openings that took place at 5:45 p.m. and one was related to police personnel.
The remaining three special meetings have not yet had minutes approved. Two were in August with only two trustees present; however, because only two trustees were present at the next regular meeting, Sept. 14, they have not been entered into public record, said Tracey Parks, township secretary.
All three trustees must approve minutes of special meetings where only two trustees attended.
Even though the minutes are public record, Delost said some people might not be able to make it to the township building during the day and a quick explanation at general meetings could help.
“Some people would like to know what’s going on,” Delost said.