DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP
TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Date:
April 13th 2026
Time:
6:00 PM
Location: Deerfield Township Hall
IN ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Tiffany Havens (Chair), Laura Lindberg, Vaughn Sutcliffe
Fiscal Officer: Tracey Dean
Administrative Assistant: Nancy Cowan
Fire: Todd Bardelli
Buildings and Grounds: Tim Suderman
Invited Guest: Lori Manning, Ohio Plan Township Insurance
CALL TO ORDER
Tiffany Havens called the meeting to order at 6:01pm; the Pledge of Allegiance began the
meeting.
MEETING MINUTES
2/9 Meeting Minutes. Laura made a motion to approve (seconded and passed unanimously).
2/9 Financials. Laura made a motion to approve (seconded and passed unanimously).
3/9 Meeting Minutes. Tiffany made a motion to approve with two corrections (seconded and
passed unanimously). Jill Crawford was not an invited guest. Tim, not Vaughn, was to get quotes
for the fire department.
3/9 Financials. Laura made a motion to table (seconded and passed unanimously).
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Amazon. Tiffany is tweaking some issues with their representatives.
Tiffany represented Deerfield at the Health Department Advisory Council Dinner on March 8th.
She outlined some highlights from the meeting and will see about a possible popup food pantry
in Deerfield.
Tiffany talked about a letter from the Commissioners’ office regarding (controversial) data
centers. Laura spoke with Assistant Prosecutor Armstrong – we have no zoning, so we have no
say in the matter.
Emails received about grants. Laura will investigate a fitness courts grant, Vaughn will check into
an energy grant, and Mike Collins is working with Tim on an Issue 2 grant.
Damage to the circle. Lori Manning said they are paying the whole $837 (no insurance).
Tiffany said the Novelty Lights snowflakes for the circle are on back order.
GUEST SPEAKER Lori Manning, Ohio Plan Township Insurance. Lori outlined and answered questions about our
insurance policy details/changes.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Ed Stockli (Deerfield American Legion) let the township know that there will be meetings at the
Township Hall on May 13th and June 10th at 6pm to plan for the 250th USA Celebration. Contact
Ed if you’re interested in getting involved. Perhaps the Historical Society could play a part.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Road Department/Maintenance (Tim Suderman)
Road Department
Equipment Repairs
o Fuel leak on F350. Seeking approval to take to KD Truck Service for up to $500. Tiffany
made a motion to pay (seconded and passed unanimously).
o Tailgate valve air leak on Maxforce. Seeking approval to take to KD Truck Service for up
to $500. Laura made a motion to support the purchase (seconded and passed
unanimously).
o Boom mower parts: new blades, skid runners, blade bolts – $750, Akron Tractor. Vaughn
made a motion to support the purchase (seconded and passed unanimously).
Carters Ford Road resident is requesting a letter stating that the Township doesn’t maintain the
road west of 9900 Carters Ford Road, where the private drive section of the road begins. A letter
will be sent.
Cemeteries
Hartzell – we’re discussing putting up a fence on the northwest side. We need a survey done,
need approval for that.
Buildings and Grounds
Flagpoles are getting new ropes this season. We also need 25-30 new flags up to $750. Tiffany
made a motion to support the purchase (seconded and passed unanimously). It’s likely that the
Civics Club will pick up this cost, so the appropriation may be moot.
Lawn care products. We’re requesting $1,000 for seed, fertilizer, sprays, and topsoil. Tiffany
made a motion to support the purchase (seconded and passed unanimously).
Mulch. We plan to use dye but may need some top dress, requesting $300 if mulch is needed.
Laura made a motion to support the purchase (seconded and passed unanimously).
The boiler in the rear building did not keep up this past winter. Ravenna Heating and Cooling
inspected it, and the boiler is undersized for the building; we need to upsize to a 200-250K BTU
unit. The current unit is 75 BTU and running at 100% capacity, 100% of the time during cold
months. We will check whether NOPEC can cover the cost – waiting on quotes. We expect the
cost to total $3500-4000. Tiffany made a motion to use $3000 of NOPEC dollars for this expense
(seconded and passed unanimously).
Laura made a motion cut and scrap the old park bleachers behind the maintenance building that
are no longer needed (seconded and passed unanimously).
Tiffany talked with Christine (Director with the Portage Parks grant) and we have a PO
completed and ready to go. Tim and Chris can have an invoice ready by Tuesday in order to be
paid on Friday.
The burnt house on Rt. 14 has been sold, so land bank is off the table.
Gazebo plans are stalled and are approaching the deadline for reconstruction. Tiffany made a
motion to permit Vaughn to contact the asst. prosecuting atty. to move things forward in light of
delays by the architect (seconded and passed unanimously).
The ballclub has asked about using the concession stands; we’re checking on potential permits,
dates, details, and liability. Trustees felt it would be permissible if they get a food permit and
letter from the health department. Any such changes should be included in next year’s contract.
Fire Department (Derek Day via Todd Bardelli)
Total calls for Feb: 42 (19 fire, 23 EMS). Application from Brandon Perdock. We highly recommend him. Tiffany made a motion to
approve the application on a one-year probationary appointment pending health screenings and
background check (seconded and passed unanimously).
The county prosecutor spoke with Todd about an employee’s association, and said that Trustees
should be contacted about such matters.
Ashley Davis’ fire school will cost $2,642. Tiffany made a motion to pay for this with grant money
(seconded and passed unanimously)
MARCS radios (6-7 used radios with programming and charging) at $10,000-12,000. Vaughn
made a motion to support the purchase (seconded and passed unanimously)
Grain bin class is completed.
Brush fire season – no burning from 6am-6pm now – May31st.
Sonar class is full.
People enjoyed Easter Breakfast; thanks to those who came.
We’re discussing 2 solid steel doors for the fire station.
In May, Todd was selected as National Fall Fireman.
Front garage door. We would like to create an enclosure inside with a wall (getting an estimate).
The new bunk rooms need a split aid conditioner/heat at an estimated $3,155 (best quote).
Tiffany made a motion to support the purchase (seconded and passed unanimously).
Memorial Day parade. We will serve sausage sandwiches for a fire station fundraiser.
The stipend we decided on at the last meeting is working out well.
Our Facebook is up and running.
Life pack quotes came in at $60,000.
We will check with insurance about defibrillators (going price is $35,000).
Alicia and Todd are rescheduling the conference to May.
Our employee settlement negotiations remain ongoing.
OLD BUSINESS
Quality IP (IT person) will speak at the next meeting.
NOPEC Resolution 26-7 to apply and accept grant money of $6,171. Tiffany made the motion to
accept, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
Tiffany read Resolution 26-8 (Huntington credit card) to move forward with Township
applications. Tiffany made a motion to accept the resolution (seconded and passed
unanimously).
Five veterans’ banners need fixed or replaced; Denise Adams is contacting the families.
NEW BUSINESS
Tiffany is working on Sharepoint sign documents.
Tiffany would like to arrange a health fair to occur in the Township Hall on October 6. Laura
made a motion to support the event (seconded and passed unanimously).
Some of our unused electronics going to Charm Recycling. Tiffany made a motion to move
forward (seconded and passed unanimously).
ADJOURNMENT
Tiffany made a motion to adjourn at about 8:13, which was seconded, and passed.
______________________________ ______________________________
Tiffany Havens Vaughn Sutcliffe
Trustee/Chair Trustee______________________________ ______________________________
Laura Lindberg Tracey Dean
Trustee Fiscal Officer
Minutes respectfully submitted by Cary Wecht
Cary Wecht