The Board of Deerfield Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday February 10th, 2025 6:00 pm, at the Deerfield Town Hall with
Trustees Charles “Ed” Dean, Laura Lindberg and Tiffany Havens present.
● Tiffany made a motion to approve the financial report as written. Laura seconded and Ed said yes. The roll call vote was unanimous.
● Ed made a motion to accept the January regular meeting minutes Laura seconded and Tiffany abstained. Laura said yes Ed said Yes Tiffany abstained.
● Laura made a motion to accept the Organizational Meeting minutes. Ed seconded Tiffany abstained. Laura said yes, Ed said yes, Tiffany abstained.
Communications:
● Tracey shared communication from Planning commission sent info for Meeting February 12 at 4:30 pm of Replat at sublots,306,307&322 in Bear Hollow Homesites No.3 on Bear Hollow Drive. Lot 27 in Deerfield twp.
● The trustees received a letter for the Portage County Community Development Response Team explaining who they are.
● Tracey shared the Southeast Cub scouts would like to use the town hall April 5th for their blue and gold ceremony. Tiffany made a motion for the Cub scouts to use the townhall for their event. Laura seconded and Ed said yes the roll call vote was unanimous.
● Ed shared that the new prosecutor for the township is Tom McCarty.
● Ed made a motion that the Fiscal Officer attend the 3 day training in Columbus in March and pay for the hotel and milage expenses. Tiffany seconded and Laura said yes. The roll call vote was unanimous.
Public Commentary:
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Road Department:
● Ed announced we are running low on salt.
● Ed made a motion to purchase 100 ton of salt for the road department. Tiffany seconded and Laura said yes. The roll call vote was unanimous.
Buildings & Grounds:
● Skunk at the Oaks building that needs to be removed. Tiffany made a motion for Jeff Adams to remove the skunk if needed for $275. Ed seconded and Laura said yes. The roll call vote was unanimous.
● Mildred Keller brought up an issue that someone was buried in a cemetery plot that she had purchased. The trustees apologized and assured her they would look into the issue and come up with a solution. (Letter enclosed)
● Ed asked for permission to have the prosecutor send a letter to the architect for the gazebo due to lack of response from the architect. Both Laura and Tiffany agreed.
● There was another accident at the circle. The insurance company of the party involved has agreed to cover the cost of repairs in the circle.
● The gas station blueprints are done and waiting on the EPA to approve the septic system. Still moving forward.
● No update on the blinds for the town hall, they are being re-quoted.
● Tiffany got quotes for the toilets for Lowes.
● Ed suggested waiting to get blinds done and reimbursed from NOPEC before starting on toilets due to funds being low.
Fire Department:
● Chief Dean announced Month of January 24 calls 10 Fire and accident
14 EMS calls.
● Extinguishers have all been checked.
● Zach Fry resigned due to his promotion to the Berlin Fire department and full time job.
● Scott asked to go into executive session to give the trustees and update on disciplinary action involving fire department members.
● Tiffany made a.motion to enter into executive session for possible disciplinary actions involving a member of the fire department. Ed seconded and Laura said yes. The roll call was unanimous.
● Tiffany made a motion to exit the executive session and enter into regular session. Laura seconded Ed and said yes the roll call vote was unanimous.
● Tiffany made a motion to buy a computer and a printer and ink for under $750. More seconded Ed said yes the roll call vote was unanimous.
● There’s a discussion about the property across from the post office. No updates as of yet. Fire department will be ready to go on their end when given the go ahead.
● Tracey thanked Alicia Bardelli for helping with the grant writing.
● Tiffany asked how to access the webinar. Tracey said she would look into it.
● Tiffany shared different options for an employee handbook.
● Tiffany made a motion that pending the new township prosecutor does not suggest a handbook and approving use of the template for the township, that the township purchase the handbook template for $179 a subscription. Laura a seconded Ed said yes the roll call vote was unanimous.
● Tiffany made a motion that the township adopt the OTAs suggested retention policy as Deerfield retention policy pending approval from the new township prosecuting attorney. Laura seconded, Ed said yes the roll call vote was unanimous.
● Tiffany made a motion that Deerfield Township adopt the Ohio Townships fee schedule for media copies with the addition of flash drives being at $2 per flash drive. Laura seconded Ed said yes the roll call vote was unanimous.
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New Business:
● Tiffany made a motion to allow Mike Kimble to volunteer his services and paint the old Township building. And the township provide the paint Laura seconded Ed said yes the roll call vote is unanimous
Tiffany made a motion to adjourn the meeting and pay bills Ed seconded, Laura said yes and the roll call vote was unanimous.
________________________ ________________________
Tiffany Havens Ed Dean
Chairperson Trustee
________________________ ________________________
Laura Lindberg Tracey Dean
Trustee Fiscal Officer