Canfield trustees told $11K must be returned

November 12, 2015 at 12:03a.m.

By AMANDA TONOLI

CANFIELD

Fiscal officer Carmen Heasley gave bad news about a big receipt from 2014: Canfield Township has to return $11,033 of the more than $700,000 it received in state funds last year.

The estate-tax money came from the estate of Joseph M. Schwebel, but attorneys are seeking additional expenditures of $11,033 from the state, Heasley said.

Trustee chairman Stephen Maszczak said he is glad that when the township receives estate-tax money, it doesn’t spend it for seven years.

Heasley explained the township keeps the money in the general fund for seven years to make sure things like this don’t happen and the fund can stay in the positive – which is required by state law.

Another item Heasley discussed was the need for information about a township home whose owner rents six rooms to one family on a weekly basis. There is a question as to whether the residence should be charged a lodging tax.

“The only specifications I ever had on lodging tax was if a hotel or motel would rent to someone on a monthly basis, we do not collect the 3 percent [lodging tax], but this one runs on a weekly basis,” Heasley said.

Officials did not provide the home address. But because the dwelling rents on a weekly basis, Trustee Marie Cartwright said she would assume it qualifies for the tax. Trustees agreed to study the matter.

Masczcak moved for a change in township health insurance for 2016.

“The township compared different policy options with different agents and found best and lowest bidders,” Maszczak said.

The insurance for its current policy holder, Coventry Insurance, will be terminated at the same time the new insurance, AETNA Insurance, will be effective, at midnight Dec. 1. The annual cost of this new coverage is projected to be roughly $57,000. Canfield Township will save $22,144 from the renewal cost of Coventry, which increased 23.7 percent, Maszczak said.

This insurance is a high-deductible, health reimbursement account (HRA).

The board of trustees approved the change.

Rank and file employees obtain coverage through their labor union.