Trustee Meeting – August 8, 2022
The Board of Deerfield Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday, August 8, 2022, at 6:00pm, with Trustees Tiffany Havens, Ed Dean and Mark Bann pre- sent. Chairman Bann opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Tiffany moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting held July 11, 2022 and approve them as written. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unani- mous. Tiffany moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the Special Budg- et Public Hearing meeting held July 11, 2022 and approve them as written. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Ed moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the special meeting regarding fire hose testing for the Fire Depart- ment held July 20, 2022 and approve them as written. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was as follows:
Mr. Dean Mr. Bann Ms. Havens
Yes
Yes
Abstained – Since Absent
Ed moved to approve the July financials as presented. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Communications:
- Dominion Energy sent a request for public and emergency officials to partner with the important safety initiatives to promote safe digging throughout the community. Ohio Law requires that anyone digging must contact Ohio811 at least two (2) working days but no more than ten (10) days prior to any digging, drilling, leveling, or plowing activity. Representatives of Dominion Energy will come to location and identify nearby underground natural gas pipelines in the work area with highly visible yellow paint and/or yellow flag markers, free of charge.
- Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control sent notice to legislative authorities of any objections for the renewal of a liquor permit. All Class C and D permits to sell alcoholic beverages at retail in your political subdivision will expire on October 1, 2022. At this time, there are no complaints and the Trustees do not have any reason to object to any current or pending liquor permits.
- The Air You Breathe sent their quarterly newsletter from the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District Volume 37, Issue 2.
- Laura Conroy sent a letter to the Deerfield Township Trustees notifying them she sent a letter to the Portage County Land Bank because she noticed the property next to hers on State Route 14 was currently being surveyed and if the home is torn down, she would be interested in buying the land for back taxes.
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Steve Demetriou, a candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives attended the meeting to introduce himself, give a brief background about himself and also thank the townships for everything they do. He expressed he will be an advocate for the local townships. He is running for District 35, which covers Geauga, Portage & Summit Counties & asked for the support of Deerfield Township residents. This is his first time running for office. For more information, visit SteveforOhioHouse.com.
Fire Department: Scott Simmons provided a verbal report for the fire department on activity since the last meeting. The fire department is up to approximately 338 runs for the year, with 47 ran since the last meeting, which includes 31 EMS calls, 2 fires, 7 motor vehicle accidents, 6 mutual aids and 1 public assist.
Deerfield Fire Department have the new MARCS radios installed and will go live with this system shortly. They have 14 radios purchased from the grant along with 8 radios they previously had. They are still waiting for a couple surrounding townships to go live.
Scott asked the Deerfield Township Trustees to pass and adopt a resolution to create a Deerfield Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau, which would be current members of the department who are certified to be an Ohio Fire Safety Inspector to perform inspections and provide further education, etc. At this time, the Trustees would like to present this to the prosecutor’s office from their perspective and discuss further at the next meeting.
Unit No. 1411, Deerfield Ambulance has had the rear tires replaced. There is still a sway and vibration, which they think may be the tracking bar on the rear axle. The bushings also look bad and the brakes may need to be checked out as they are making a noise as well.
The brakes have been fixed on the engine.
Upgrades have been made to the work bench area at the station to store tools and organize.
Ed made a motion to approve up to six (6) members to attend the Wayne County Regional Fire School on September 24-25, 2022 at a cost of $50 per person for a total of $300 including mileage reimbursement. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Andrew Zerkle is currently one of the most active members of our department with a high response rate and requested Deerfield Township contribute towards his dive training. Mark made a motion to pay for 50% of Andrew Zerkle’s dive training through the County at a cost of $225, permitting Atwater Township approves to pay the remaining 50% of the training. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote is unanimous.
Deerfield Township will have four (4) dive team members on the Department. 2
The AFG, Assistance to FireFighters grant has requested more information regarding the grant for replacement of thirteen (13) self-contained breathing apparatus air packs. We should hear if this will be awarded shortly.
Ed made a motion to renew the Ohio FireFighters Association Membership at a cost of $100. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The Deerfield Fire Department applied for a grant for battery operated jaws of life to replace the 16-year old gas powered unit currently being used. The unit they are currently using was purchased by monies donated from the Deerfield Sirenettes September of 1994. The cost of new jaw of life spreader with batteries and chargers is approximately $11,015, which includes four (4) hours of training.
Deerfield Township Fire is interested in doing a demonstration with University Hospital for the Apple Butter Festival held on October 8, 2022. The Portage County K-9 Unit will provide a demonstration from 10:00am – 11:00am.
Deerfield Township Sirenettes are looking for additional members to assist with fundraisers to raise funds for the Deerfield Fire Department. The next meeting will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2022 @ 6:30pm. Typically, meetings are held on the 1st Sundays of the month.
Sunday, November 6, 2022, a Chili Cookoff will be held at the Deerfield Town Hall to help raise money for the new Jaws of Life Tools needed.
Deerfield Township Sirenettes will no longer be selling the calendars.
Road Department: The Road Department has been working on clearing berms in preparation for the snow & rain.
The Road Department has only received one (1) quotation so far for chip and seal at a cost of $20k per mile plus stone, which is up significantly.
Buildings & Grounds:
The parking lot at the Deerfield Town Hall needs to be sealed and striped. They have received one (1) quotation thus far and would like to obtain a couple more.
The new roof has been put on at the Old Town Hall & did an excellent job.
Two (2) acres were purchased between the Deerfield Town Hall parking lot and State Route 225 a few years ago. The Road Department has been working on this property in preparation for the next steps. Tiffany made a motion to approve the purchase of grass seed and fertilizer to have Deerfield Farms level, roll off, seed, fertilize & plant grass on this property. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
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Cemeteries:
The Road Department has received two (2) quotations for tree clean-up & removal at the cemeteries. The 1st quote is from Mikes Tree & Landscape, LLC at a cost of $7,500 and does not include stump grinding. They have been in business approximately 35 years, based out of Alliance, Ohio & has performed work for Deerfield Township in the past. The 2nd quote is from The Lumberjack Complete Tree Service, Inc. at a cost of $15,400.00. They are based out of Ravenna, Ohio. Of the two, both quotations are comparable in regards to services performed. Mark made a motion to approve Mikes Tree & Landscape, LLC at a cost of $7,500, permitting a 3rd quote does not come in from an insured provider for less than $7,500. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call was unanimous.
New Business: The fuel station is still planning to progress forward.
The following bills were presented for Trustees’ inspection and approval: See Payment
Register attached.
Mark made a motion to pay these bills and adjourn the meeting. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.
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______________________________ Chairman
______________________________ Fiscal Officer