Disclaimer: Video Links are posted as a courtesy to our residents and are not owned by Deerfield Township. Videos are recorded by a third party. Be advised that the official meeting minutes are recorded by our Fiscal Officer and approved by the Board of Trustees. These minutes are posted below for your convenience or may be obtained by request from our Fiscal Officer.
The Board of Deerfield Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday May 13, 2024 at 6:00pm, with Trustees Charles “Ed” Dean, Laura Lindberg and Tiffany Havens present. Tiffany opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ed made a motion to accept the April 8,2024 meeting minutes and financial reports. Tiffany seconded the motion and Laura said yes. The roll call vote was unanimous.
Communications:
- Tiffany thanked everyone who helped and participated in the retirement party Chuck Little and Tim McCoy.
- Ed shared information provided by the Portage County Land Bank, removing condemned homes on properties with liens and reselling around Portage County.
- Laura shared information from ODOT, they did a study and they are adding signs that state “ CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP” at the intersection at 225 and Alliance Rd by the end of June. This is a temporary solution until the roundabout is put into place in 2028.Public Commentary:
- Kay Anderson would like to know if the banner could be put back at the old town hall. The trustees said yes.
- Walt Pausch asked if Portage County Land Bank provided addresses for the properties included in their plans. Ed advised he would check into a list for the next meeting.
- Emmy Pausch thanked the road department for filling in the pot holes on Fewtown and Bandy Rd.
Road Department
TJ used 8 tons worth of road patch material to date.
Continuing to get everything ready for Memorial Day.
Approved for 50% grant for the resurfacing pave project on Fewtown and Bandy Rd
After the grant Deerfield Township will be responsible for $191,000.
Watson Rd. and a section of German Church between Bandy and Watson are top on the list to be chipped and sealed at approximately $38,000.
Ed made a motion to have the certificate sent to the engineers office, when the Fiscal Officer authorizes that the money can be used for the road resurfacing project. Tiffany seconded and Laura said yes, the roll call vote was unanimous.
The Community sign is giving a communication error Tiffany made a motion to get a work order open with Ellet Sign for service Laura seconded, Ed said yes, the roll call vote was unanimous.
Prepping Veterans banners, replacing flags, flowers to be done within the next week. Contacting Dehoff’s this week about picking up ground plants.
Buildings & Grounds:
Floors at the new townhall were waxed over the weekend. There is one big scratch near the entrance. Tiffany asked that the organizations and renters that use the townhall please be mindful and try not to scuff floors.
Ed provided an inspection report from Thrasher Engineering Group on the gazebo, they recommend the current gazebo be torn down and rebuilt to code.
Zach Ranta will put in a bid to professionally tear down the gazebo.
More bids are currently being sought after.
Before it can be torn down the architect will have to provide an estimate and measure the elevation of the current gazebo to help with plans for the new gazebo.
Ed will be meeting with another architect to see if he is available for the job and to give a quote.
Ed made a motion instead of entering a $598.00 service contract with Repair Technologies, the $598.00 be used to purchase a new copier. Due to the older copier parts being obsolete from age.Laura seconded and Tiffany said yes.The roll call vote was unanimous.
Fire Department:
- Chief Dean provided a verbal report on the activity for the month of March. The Fire Department had 30 calls, 24 medical, 2 fire calls, 0 service calls, 4 motor vehicle accidents totaling 109 calls for the year.
- Old business swearing in of Lt. Bardelli and Lt. Upole by commissioner Tony Badalamenti.
- Chief Dean recognised Derek Day, Atwater and Sebring EMS over the weekend there was a medical call for a person in full cardiac arrest in Deerfield township. Chief Dean commended allparties involved for their teamwork.
- Memorial Day parade flyers were accepted.
- Chief Dean recognised Angela Doak, Tim Suderman, Katie Suderman, Todd Bardelli, Alicia Bardelli and Valley Teague for the passing of their EMR on the first try.
- Tiffany asked for a description of the EMR position on the team. Ed thanked everyone that passed their EMR for their hard work and dedication.
- Chief Dean announced that the first section of the grant will close in June.
- Tiffany advised this is a 4 year grant.
- In the first year part of the grant is allocated to get up and running with computers, laptops,projector screen and billboard sign.
- EHP was approved for the sign and construction on the building.
- $10,000 for the construction of an existing structure is a huge help towards the addition to thebunk room.
- Currently on track for the grant writer deadlines just finishing up paperwork.
- Chief Dean is working on the clothing allowance and the incentive part of the grant for T-shirts for the fire department. Chief Dean is also working to get answers on the allowance of $50,000 a year for training. He explained that the goal is to be able to pay someone an incentive to stay home on call. Just waiting on answers from the grant administrator.
- Education, great training with Deerfield and Berlin Fire Departments on boat operation and rescue.
- Application for Nate Weisel as Paramedic and Firefighter. Tiffany made a motion to hire Nate Weisel on 1 year probationary period Laura seconded roll call vote was unanimous
- Ed made a motion to accept the new policy for medical and emergency employees and Tiffany seconded the roll call vote was unanimous.
- Update the architect has turned the drawings for the fire department addition over to a mechanical engineer who has to insert plumbing and HVAC into the drawings and then submitted to Deerfield for approval.
- Tiffany advised of some progress on the November investigation. A third party has completed investigation and findings have not been released yet, hopes to have more information for a special meeting towards the end of May.
- 9 A.M. on Saturday Flower planting if anyone wants to join.
- Plant swap at 10 A.M at the marketplace.Tiffany made a motion to adjourn the meeting and pay bills Ed seconded, Laura said yes and the roll call vote was unanimous.
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Tiffany Havens
Chairperson
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Laura Lindberg
Trustee
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Ed Dean
Trustee
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Tracey Dean Fiscal Officer