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GOSHEN TOWNSHIP -- Township trustees discussed several financial matters within the township in their November meeting.
The discussed matters included the township's healthcare insurance premium, a pair of appropriation changes and the status of the township's ongoing grant applications.
Bill Wilson, Morris Financial vice president of Small Group Sales, had positive news for the trustees regarding the renewal rate for the township's health insurance in 2024. Morris said the annual increase would be only 2.9%, which he said was significantly less than the industry standard, which recommends budgeting for a 12% increase in healthcare premiums annually. Trustees voted unanimously to renew the township's policy with Anthem for 2024.
Appropriation changes included an increase to the Lighting Assessment Electricity appropriations from $6,600 to $8,600, and the re-allocation of $5,200 from the Car Damage appropriations to the Vehicle Repairs and Maintenance appropriations to cover the cost of transmission repairs to cruiser four by Sarchione Ford of Alliance. Both changes were unanimously approved by trustees.
Trustee Shawn Mesler said that the township's application for the Ohio Public Works Commission Grant for the Stratton Road project has been denied; however, he said that the application had been forwarded to the state for consideration for funding through a "small government grant." Other grant matters discussed included unanimous approval of a motion to apply for, accept and implement the MARCS radio grant.
Also discussed was the township's contract with the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, which expires Dec. 31 of this year. Trustees met with department officials to discuss next year's contract in a brief special meeting prior to the beginning of the regularly scheduled meeting. There are currently no significant changes proposed, and trustees expect to sign the new contract in their next meeting.
Personnel matters approved included the resignation of police officer John Janacone effective Oct. 12, and the hire of part-time officer Jeffrey Rober Jr. effective Nov. 13. Police Chief John Calko said that Janacone has decided to pursue opportunities outside of law enforcement in education.
During public comment resident John Biery requested that the township leave the flags up at the Bunker Hill Cemetery and let the Goshen Center Ruritan Club remove them. Biery also suggested the township and Ruritans consider combining their annual community day events for 2024, offering the use of the Ruritan park for the event. Biery said that Ruritans had been considering a date of July in the evening for the event to enjoy fireworks.
The Ruritans have also recently spent $42,000 on the installation of new playground equipment at the parks and are accepting donations for the playground equipment. Any donations can be mailed to: Goshen Center Ruritan Club, 18300 Western Reserve Road, North Benton, OH 44409 with "playground" in memo line.
The board of trustees will meet next at 6 p.m. Dec. 4.