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 and may be obtained by request from our Fiscal Officer.
Trustee Meeting – July 24, 2023
The Board of Deerfield Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 6:00pm, with Trustees Ed Dean, Tiffany Havens and Mark Bann pre- sent. Chairman Dean opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tiffany moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the budget hearing held July 10, 2023 and approve them as written. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Mark moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting held July 10, 2023 and approve them as written with no changes. Tiffany seconded the mo- tion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Communications:
Portage County Regional Planning Commission sent a replat of sublots 54 and 55 in the Treasure Cove Allotment on Treasure Blvd. Lot 35 is in Deerfield Town- ship. A meeting is scheduled. Comments from the Trustees must be returned by July 28, 2023.
Fire Department:
Ed made a motion to go into executive session with Fire Chief Scott Dean and the three ( 3) Trustees for the reason of appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual unless the employee, official, licensee or regulated individual unless they request a public hearing by Division (G)(1) of Section 121.22 of the Revised Code. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Ed made a motion to exit executive session. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call was unanimous.
Ed made a motion to enter back into their regular meeting. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Scott Simmons has been appointed as the SAFER Grant administrator. Tiffany made a motion to excuse Mr. Scott Simmons as SAFER Grant administrator. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Ed Dean made a motion to appoint Mr. Derek Day as SAFER Grant Administrator, pending he is willing to do so. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Ed Dean made a motion to temporarily suspend Mr. Scott Simmons pending an investigation of the complaint against him as an employee of the Deerfield Fire Department. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Chief Scott Dean asked the Trustees to approve an application for Katherine Suderman. She is from Deerfield Township and interested in becoming a firefighter and EMT. She currently has no training. Mr. Scott Dean says she is very well spoken. Ed Dean made a motion to accept Katherine Suderman’s application on a one-year probationary basis & pay for her education out of the SAFER Grant. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Scott Dean will present a list of equipment at the next meeting that is no longer of use to Deerfield Township Fire Department to approve removing from their inventory.
The pump on the Polaris is unsafe. They would like to purchase a larger tank & put the smaller tank on the four-wheeler. Ed made a motion to approve the purchase of a two- hundred (200) gallon tank for use from Heritage Cooperative at a cost of $360.06. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Chief Dean proposed holding a 36-hour class in Deerfield Township by a certified trainer starting in September at a cost of $600 per person and covering the cost from the SAFER Grant for up to five (5) members. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The radio system is currently on VHF, which talks to the Marcs system. Fifteen (15) radios need to be reprogrammed. Ed made a motion to pay $1,063 to Vasu Communications to switch the fifteen (15) radios over to the MARCS system. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The mini pumper is a 1993 model and 30 years old. The Trustees are considering transferring this truck over to the Road Department. The Trustees checked with the prosecutor and he feels that this can be done since we have exceeded the useful life of the vehicle. The Trustees will check with the Auditor of State to confirm this is permissible.
Ed made a motion to hire an engineer/architect at a cost of $3,500 to develop plans to put on a bathroom with laundry facilities at the new fire building in the back. This step must be completed prior to getting acceptance for the septic system. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The mechanical lock assembly on the door is not working properly. Ed Dean made a motion to upgrade the three (3) mechanical lock systems to an electronic touchpad. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The draft fire department policies will be approved at the next meeting once Mr. Derek Day has an opportunity to review.
Road Department: The Road Department has been working on patching. The roadside mower was rearended. The investigator from the at-fault driver was out, not the adjuster to take pictures. The mower has been completely checked over and inspected. It has no issues or problems.
Buildings & Grounds/Cemeteries:
The gazebo was hit at approximately 3am coming from the North in a car accident, which broke the LED lighting. The gazebo has been reinforced and the benches were broken. The investigator has been out and met with Trustees and this process is moving forward.
On Sunday morning at approximately 6:30am, a vehicle missed the stop sign coming from North Benton and hit a tree in our circle. The tree has severe damage. The insurance company has been contacted.
The Trustees indicated they can contact ODOT to see if anything can be done to help prevent accidents in the future.
Monies are available through the NOPEC grant. Lights at the old town hall and repairs to the old town hall ceiling has been approved by NOPEC. The northeast corner is dropping and sagging. The building needs jacking and shoring 1⁄2 inch to 1 inch at a time. There was a short discussion regarding trading the Old Town Hall with a plot of land with the Deerfield Historical Society at a previous meeting. The Trustees indicated this trade cannot take place since the properties are not of equivocal value. The Deerfield Old Town Hall is also the last piece of property Deerfield Township owns on the Deerfield Township Circle. In order to repair the ceiling, all items of the Deerfield Historical Society must be removed and vacated from the building. The Trustees indicated they need to be out as soon as possible so they can get estimates for the next meeting and the work completed as soon as possible in order to complete per the NOPEC Grant timeline. The Trustees indicated they have no intention of not allowing the Deerfield Historical Society to go back into the Old Town Hall once the repairs are made.
The Deerfield Township Civic Association recently purchased tables at a cost of $1,000 for the Deerfield Town Hall, twenty-five (25) flags and an eagle for the flag pole.
New Business:
More help is needed for the Deerfield Applebutter Festival held in October. Help will be needed starting in September.
A Deerfield resident and fire member presented a speech to the Deerfield Township Trustees. She had a short discussion with Mr. Mark Bann.
Revenues received: See Revenue Receipt Register attached.
The following bills were presented for Trustees’ inspection and approval: See Payment Register attached.
Ed made a motion to pay these bills and adjourn the meeting. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.