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The Board of Trustees of Sugarcreek Township, Greene County, Ohio, met in Work Session on
March 16, 2015, at 5:00 p.m., at 2090 Ferry Road, Sugarcreek Township, Ohio 45305.
1. Mrs. Daugherty called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm and promptly adjourned to Executive Session
to discuss litigation issues.
2. The meeting resumed at approximately 6:05 with no action taken and Board Members Nadine
Daugherty, Mike Pittman and Scott Bryant being present. In addition to Mr. Tiffany, Township
Administrator, others present were Chief Pavlak, Chief Brown, Barbara Burson, Jim Martin, Donna
Hellman, Stephanie Hayden and Joe Garrett (TREBELllc).
Discussion Items:
Fire – Chief Pavlak said he had two vacant full-time positions and discussed the need to fill at least
one those positions while he works through his current budget issues. He said he could save thirty
thousand on one of the full time positions but needs one to keep the stations staffed. Mr. Tiffany said
we have a resolution on the agenda tonight to provide for a short fall in funding Fire payroll if our tax
distribution doesn't arrive by tomorrow. Mr. Bryant said he wished to discuss his frustration with the
whole issue. He said over a year ago we started a study with Steve Knopp for establishment of a base
to determine how we compared to other communities similar to us to see how we rank. He said we hit
roadblocks and the study fell apart. Mr. Bryant said here we are today with the same issues now. He
said we saw this coming and did nothing.
Chief Pavlak said he spent $100,000 on radios last year and $40,000 on a ladder truck he hadn't
planned on spending. Mr. Bryant said he was sure there were reasons but we still put in place a plan
and it fell apart. I want to know how we stand as a Fire Department. Is our Budget reasonable? Mr.
Tiffany said Miami Township services a larger community and has less staffing. Chief Pavlak said
they have a large volunteer base. Mr. Tiffany agreed their environment may be somewhat more
conducive to volunteers. Mr. Pittman asked why the study never progressed. Mr. Tiffany said he
knew Mr. Knopp had health issues and it fell apart slowly. Chief Pavlak said his staffing has been
reduced from 9 a day to 7 a day and he took huge cuts from the state. Mr. Bryant said we have all
taken cuts.
Chief Pavlak said he thinks we can bridge the gap with a new staffing plan and that the Centerville
issue is still a question. Mr. Tiffany suggested we try to get some volunteers on our schedule. Mrs.
Daugherty asked how many part-timers we have. Mr. Tiffany said about 43 Firemen full and part-
time. Chief Pavlak said he can't rely on the part-timers showing up. Mr. Pittman said we discussed the
problem with showing up in 2013. Chief Pavlak said we pay the lowest in the area. Mr. Tiffany said
we could bring up the wages of the part-timers. Mr. Bryant said he is not convinced the problem with
part-timers is solely wages. He said he would like a benchmark study before voting for a new levy.
He suggested an outside source like a graduate student. Mr. Tiffany suggested Miami University.
The Board agreed to go with one full-time position to be filled. Mr. Pittman said he would like to
discuss not raising the part-timers pay and thought we needed an austerity program for the Fire Fund.
Mrs. Daugherty agreed. Mr. Tiffany said we will begin processing Chief Pavlak’s first choice for the
full time position. Mr. Bryant said until he better understands the part-time turnovers, he is not ready
to increase their pay.

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Mr. Tiffany said Chief Pavlak needs an influx of part-timers. He suggested we advertise at Sinclair
College. Chief Pavlak said he also had other processes he would get started.
Mr. Joe Garrett, TREBELllc, introduced himself and talked about municipal utility aggregations and
the services they provided. He also provided information about other entities they were providing
their services to. Mr. Bryant said we had too much going on now and he would not be interested at
this time. Mrs. Daugherty asked if he could leave us some information.
Mr. Hodson gave the Board a copy of the temporary appropriations showing the changes made to
arrive at the permanent appropriations put on tonight's meeting agenda.
Mrs. Daugherty moved to adjourn at 6:52 pm. Mr. Pittman seconded. Roll was called with the vote being
as follows:
Mr. Pittman – Yes
Mrs. Daugherty – Yes
Mr. Bryant - Yes
Theodore L. Hodson, Fiscal Officer