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, October 23, 2023, at 6:00pm, with Trustees Tiffany Havens and Ed Dean present. Chairman Dean opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Kristy was unable to attend the meeting last minute and has the minutes with her. Therefore, these minutes will be approved at the next meeting.
Communications:
• Mr. Frank Pavliga sent a proposal for the architectural services for a laundry/toilet room addition to Township Garage at the Deerfield Fire Department. Total cost is $6,150, with an initial payment upfront of $1,000 and a balance due of $5,150 due upon completion. Ed Dean made a motion to hire Mr. Pavliga for his services. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Derek Day indicated that no work can commence for the Safer Grant monies until further paperwork is completed.
Fire Department: Brian Kelderhouse provided a verbal report for the fire department. The Deerfield Fire Department is at 402 fire calls for the year.
The engine will be going in for annual pump testing next week.
The new squad is getting the cot loaded November 7, 2023 and lettered as well.
The boat needs some work done to the propeller. Too much weight is up front and the back is lifting up out of the water taking on air. The estimated cost is a couple hundred dollars.
Katie Suderman and James Hubbs completed their fire school and ready to respond.
Both have passed their state testing. Other members have completed the class and plan to test at a later time. Tiffany congratulated them and Ed thanked them. They each introduced themselves and attended the meeting.
Deerfield Fire Department will be participating in Trunk of Treat at the Deerfield Town Hall.
Derek Day asked about becoming an administrator on the Verizon Wireless account to cancel services they are not using on phones. Ed Dean made a motion to allow the Fire Department to add an extra phone line. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Derek Day is intending to set up a meeting with the ambulance billing company in the upcoming weeks.
For the SAFER grant, physicals must be on file prior to approving items such as turn out gear for employees as well as three (3) bids received for any purchases.
The Deerfield Fire Department is holding a Fire Meeting on November 22, 2023 to discuss new policies and procedures including physicals, timeclock program, etc.
Ed made a motion purchase a scanner for the Deerfield Fire Department. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The engine needs a canvas cover to stop hose from flying off. Ed Dean made a motion to purchase. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Tiffany would like the Trustees and Deerfield Township to discuss considerations to hold a retirement party to thank Chuck Little for his fifty-two years of service to the Deerfield Fire Department. The Deerfield Fire Association is working on this as well. This topic and dates will be discussed at the next meeting.
Road Department: Deerfield Township borrowed Edinburg Township’s hot box to patch roads for a few days.
Tiffany moved to purchase safety PPE including head phones for mowing, gloves, goggles, masks and other PPE at a cost of approximately $500 to be reimbursed up to $500 through the OTARMA More Grant. Ed seconded the motion the roll call vote was unanimous.
Mr. Timothy Suderman is still off work on Workers Compensation. He has hired an attorney. The doctor he has been going to is a nurse practitioner and Ohio BWC will not accept her signature on any of his paperwork. He is in process of seeking out a doctor Ohio BWC will accept.
Buildings & Grounds: The pavilion is done in exception of the ceiling, which is scheduled to be completed October 24, 2023. The handicapped parking will also be put in.
Ed made a motion to pay for the emergency repairs on the Grasshopper mower taken to Unkefer. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Ed made a motion to pay approximately $750 for the three bearings in the spindles to be ordered from Hilltop for the scag mower. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. This work will be complete in house by the Road Department.
Tiffany inquired about the status of the NOPEC grant money repairs. The lights at the Deerfield Town Hall and Garage have been updated to LED fixtures. Approximately $7,000 has been spent thus far. Tiffany moved to hire Plotnik Construction to install a tongue and groove ceiling at the Old Town Hall and install six (6) high efficiency lights with two (2) fans at a cost of $11,800 through the NOPEC funds remaining. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Tiffany indicated Plotnik Construction verbally committed to completing the work by November 30, 2023. Ed made a motion to pay Brian Edwards for the LED lighting that has been completed in the amount of $6800.
Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Ed will talk to Gary Leifheit again about his interest/commitment to repair the foundation at the Old Town Hall again. The Trustees will ask Roger if he has the ability to do so if Gary Leifheit is unable.
Ed talked to the adjuster about the gazebo. We need to get engineering prints prior to getting quotations to repair. Our 1st quote received was in the range of $60k. The insurance company wants to pay $32,000. Prices for repair cannot be prepared until the engineering prints are completed.
Cemeteries: No Report.
New Business: Tiffany made a motion to hold our end of year meeting and 2nd monthly meeting for December on December 27, 2023 at 6pm. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The following revenues and bills were presented for Trustees’ inspection and approval: See Revenue Receipt Register Payment Register attached.
Ed made a motion to pay these bills and adjourn the meeting. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.