Trustee Meeting – May 9, 2022
The Board of Deerfield Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday, May 9, 2022, at 5:30pm, with Trustees Tiffany Havens, Ed Dean and Mark Bann present. Chairman Bann opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Tiffany moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting and approve them as written. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Ed moved to approve the April financials as presented. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Communications:
- Portage County Recycling will be hosting a Spring Recycling Day on May 14, 2022 from 8am to noon at 3588 Mogadore Road in Kent, Ohio. Collection items will be passenger tires, scrap metal, electronics and residential document shredding in exchange for a non-perishable item that will then be donated to the Center of Hope.
- Portage County Land Reutilization Corporation sent their 2021 Annual Report, which marks the completion of their 10th year of operations.
- The Rootstown Township Trustees is sponsoring a Two-Day Cemetery Workshop on Friday, June 17, 2022 and Saturday, June 18, 2022 for tombstone marker restoration. Participation for both days is preferred as what is learned on day one will be put to use on day two. The cost is $50 per township (as many workers as you wish to send included). Ed made a motion to pay for the road department employees to participate if they are available to attend. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
- The Historical Society would like to start up their dances again one time per month starting on the 3rd Mondays of the month beginning September 2022 at the Deerfield Town Hall. The Trustees indicated they are okay with this permitting the Historical Society is okay with a rental fee of $50 per month to offset the expenses.
- An individual requested for a speed study to be completed on State Route 14 from the bridge to the Deerfield Circle. A speed study was done recently by the state so the Trustees do not feel this will approved do be completed again.Cemeteries: Tiffany indicated there has been an issue with individuals using metal or shepherd’s hooks at the cemeteries maintained by Deerfield Township. Due to safety issues, these items are prohibited to use in our cemeteries. The rules for the cemeteries are available in the boxes located at the cemeteries.Fire Department: Vaughn Sutcliffe provided a verbal report for the fire department on activity since the last meeting. The fire department is up to approximately 194 runs for the year, with 47 ran since the last meeting, which includes 34 EMS calls, 4 fires, 3 smoke investigations and 6 motor vehicle accidents.
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The Deerfield Fire Department was called to a major fire that took place at the McDermotts Campground where there were four (4) campers destroyed and two (2) persons taken to the burn unit in Akron. The State Fire Marshalls office is investigating the cause but at this time, it is believed to be accidental. The damages are estimated to be $200,000. Vaughn indicated he is proud of the Deerfield Fire Members and thankful for the mutual aid fire departments that helped. Nine (9) fire departments participated.
Unit #1415, Mini Pumper is out of service due to batteries not charging. Vaughn asked the Trustees what they felt the next steps are. The Trustees indicated they will have the Road Department check it out first.
No changes in membership.
Deerfield Township will be having a Memorial Day Parade. Line up at the station will take place at 8:30am and step off promptly at 9:00am. Vaughn indicated to keep in mind the parade is in honor to those who gave ALL for our country and not simply a celebration of the beginning of summer. A wreath ceremony hosted by the American Legion will follow.
Life Force Management sent one ambulance billing account they recommend be forwarded to collections. They have sent letters eight (8) times and no hardship letter has been received. Ed made a motion to proceed per their recommendations. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Buildings & Grounds: The Trustees thanked all those who donated flowers.
An attorney sent a letter regarding the fuel station with a basic drawing. They anticipate
having final plans and starting end of June, 2022.
The Trustees asked those using the ballfields to quit parking on the lawn and the walking path but rather use the Deerfield Township Garage and other designated areas for overflow parking. The Road Department is having to repair ruts on numerous occasions.
Ed made a motion to order approximately 20-25 tons of 411 at a cost of $23.75/ ton for the walking path. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Ed made a motion to purchase up to $800 in mulch for the Deerfield Circle, cemeteries and the islands. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Tiffany made a motion to purchase geraniums & ask the Cemetery Association to make a donation for half. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Flags have been located and being put up.
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Road Department: The Road Department completed the burm work, driveway culverts and ditching on Treasure Blvd. They did a great job.
The Road Department has begun road patching and borrowed the hot box from Edinburg Township.
Ed made a motion to purchase up to twelve (12) loads of road patch material. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Ed made a motion to purchase a load of 304. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
New Business: The website is in process. The Trustees hope to have live in the next couple of weeks.
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. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 6:30pm.
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