DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Date: December 8th 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Deerfield Township Hall
IN ATTENDANCE
Trustees: Charles “Ed” Dean, Tiffany Havens (Chair), Laura Lindberg
Fiscal Officer: Tracey Dean
Roads: Tim Suderman
Fire: Capt. Todd Bardeilli
CALL TO ORDER
Tiffany Havens called the meeting to order at 6pm. The Pledge of Allegiance began the
meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES/REPORTS
October 13th meeting minutes. Laura made a motion to accept the minutes (seconded and
passed unanimously)
October 25 financials. Ed made a motion to accept the financials (seconded and passed
unanimously).
November 10 and meeting minutes, Laura made a motion to table until the next meeting
(seconded and passed unanimously).
November 25 financials, Tiffany made a motion to table until the next meeting (seconded and
passed unanimously).
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tracey shared a letter from Fire Chief Scott Dean, notifying Trustees and residents of his official
and immediate resignation. In it, he cited political turmoil that hindered him from leading to his
full potential. He said that this was a difficult decision and that he was grateful to serve with
honor and be a part of the Deerfield community. Tiffany made a motion to accept his
resignation, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
Tracey shared a communication from Life Force about what we need to be charging; this will be
taken up in the organizational meeting.
Tracey said that Deerfield AG Services donated $3,000 to the Fire Department, as thanks for its
good work (Bill Wallbrown, Beth Padisak, and staff). Laura made a motion to accept the
donation, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
Tracey shared a letter from the Portage County Regional Planning Commission informing us of
the re-plat (combining) of a couple small lots in Treasure Cove. We have the right to object (no
objections were raised).
Tracey said that in January we will need to address the upcoming VFDF annual certification.
Tracey said that in February the Ohio Plan renewal will be due. Trustees will need to look over
the paperwork to make sure everything is in order. Tiffany said that she went through everything
and had a couple questions. She spoke to Lori about the possibility of lowering the deductible
without paying more. She also divvied up some of the Ohio Plan paperwork to the fire
department (Tim) and cybersecurity (Tracey).
Tracey asked that by the end of December we need to take Ed off the banking and put Vaugh
on. Everything needs to be signed before January 1.
Tiffany shared a communication from Sherrif Zuchowski. They started a new program where
you can get a special sticker to make first responders aware if you have a person with special
needs (Alzheimer’s, physical impairments, autism, etc.) in your vehicle or home. There is an
application on the Sherrif’s website; when filled out, a notice is sent to first responders.
Laura received a communication from ODOT. They plan to study the possibility of putting in
triangular islands with additional stop signs at the entrance of all four sides of the circle to
prevent collisions and help traffic flow.
Tiffany received a communication from the prosecuting attorney about an employee requesting
compensation. Because this is a sensitive topic, we are advised to discuss the matter in
executive session under RC121.22G1, Compensation of a Public Employee. Tiffany made a
motion to move to executive session (seconded and passed unanimously). Laura made a
motion to invite Trustee-Elect Sutcliffe into the session (seconded and passed unanimously). At
6:15, executive session commenced. At 6:27, trustees returned and said that the session was
informational, and no decisions were made at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
none
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Road Department/Maintenance (Tim Suderman)
Road Department
Contracted salt and salt from the county have been delivered.
The work on the International has been done, but there were some additional parts and labor.
We need new tires at $980. Tiffany made a motion to approve the tires (seconded and passed
unanimously).
We need a new battery and ignition for the tractor at $390. Tiffany made a motion to approve
the purchase (seconded and passed unanimously).
Tiffany asked about any updates on the new contract with the county for the road striping (no
news).
Buildings and Grounds (Tim)
Tim spoke with Ellet Sign about replacing the modem for the sign, as covered under warranty,
due to the need to occasionally reboot it.
Lights at the Fire Department. Ed has a quote from Pauli Electric (who did the initial work) to
retrofit all existing fixtures in the front building, back building, and tower to LED for $3,580.
Tiffany made a motion to accept the estimate using the 2023 NOPEC balance of $3263.24, and
to take the remaining $316.76 out of 2024 NOPEC monies (seconded and passed
unanimously).
Fence at Hartzell. We have a temporary post in the ground to block vehicles until something
more permanent is done.
Laura said that we received a donation of $300 from Mike and Kathleen Brown toward the
replacement of the fence. Laura made a motion to accept the donation (seconded and passed
unanimously). Laura asked trustees to sign a thank you note.
Ed noted that Mike Brown also asked permission (granted) to clean some stones in the
cemetery. Ed presented photos of several of the cleaned stones.
Tiffany spoke with the insurance company about the accident on Veterans Day. The crash
report says the driver has insurance with State Farm, but the payment lapsed so there is nocoverage. We have coverage minus a $1,000 deductible which does not cover landscaping,
concrete damage, and the like. It does cover labor. We will be short in covering the fence so
we’ll try to go after the driver for the deductible. While talking to them, the insurance company
suggested submitting to Allstate the old accident of May 31; we put in the number of $1,760 for
the damage, and if Allstate can cover it that would leave money to repair the recent accident
damage.
Cemeteries
none
Fire Department (Capt. Todd Bardelli)
We got a cost on the Tanker 14 valve at $1,405 (valve only). More info to come.
Ed said that we have the title for the new engine. The title inspection was donated.
Six people completed ODNR Wildland Firefighter training.
Todd secured trailers from the Ohio Fire Academy
O February – Driving simulator
O March – Burn Trailer
O April – Grain Bin Trailer
O May – Tanker Show Class (Ohio Volunteer Fire Chiefs’ Assn.)
Todd asked whether Derek Day will assume the role of Acting Fire Chief (he is willing). Tiffany
made the motion to appoint Derek Day to Interim Chief (assuming his acceptance) until a further
decision can be made, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
Tiffany spoke with Derek about the hygiene bags; she’s going to see if we can get donations for
this.
Tiffany said there have been some questions about the MABAS regarding choices made and
specific terms. Some discussion ensued. Todd will work with Derek on this issue to ensure that
the best plan is in place.
Tiffany asked about the dry hydrants; Alicia volunteered to work with Tim to ensure that signs
are purchased and placed.
Tiffany asked Todd for an update about the quote for $3,000 for the truck radios. This was the
best deal. Tiffany made a motion to accept the quote from Hudson Communications, LLC for the
MARCS system for $2957.64 (seconded and passed unanimously).
Tiffany also asked Todd to ensure a smooth transition to the new dispatch system with the
Sherrif’s dept. Todd will work with Brian on this. Tiffany said that the prosecuting attorney
approved of the draft contract (minus the date being in place). Tiffany drafted a letter to send to
Ravenna Dispatch to formally let them know that we’re not continuing with their service. We
need a transition date so we can ensure uninterrupted service.
OLD BUSINESS
Tiffany has conflicting dates about the land bank; one email said January 16, and another said
December 5. On December 5 she sent them the property across from the post office. She
received another blight property that she will forward. She then reminded everyone to forward
additional properties to her.
Todd said that several people attempted to complete harassment training but a glitch in the
system prevented them from finishing. Some people were able to complete it separately; they’ll
solve the problem.
From someone in Canton who works with governments and schools, Tiffany got information
about the advantages of obtaining a commercial credit card, allowable in ORC-50564. It is best
practice to have two administrators to adjust limits and such. We can have as many cards as
we’d like (e.g., fiscal officer, Trustee 1, Trustee 2, etc.). Payments can be made online and there
is an option for a virtual money order in real time. There are no fees unless we exceed
$500,000. Payments must be made every month; no balance may be carried over. We would
need a resolution to go forward (he gave us a template) and develop a use policy. Having thiswould rid us of the need to pay reimbursements. Ed suggested that any policy should be
reviewed by the prosecutor before being approved. The issue was tabled until the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
The Ohio Plan renewal. We need to have information by the December 29 meeting. Ed made a
motion to continue with the Ohio Plan with whatever changes in paperwork are necessary
(seconded and passed unanimously).
Tracey said that there is an OTA Winter Conference and Tradeshow on February 4-6 in
Columbus at $135 per person. Tiffany made a motion to support any of the township officials
who would like to attend (conference fee, hotel, parking, current mileage rate, and per diem)
(seconded and passed unanimously).
We have an Amazon account, but there is no credit card on file; Tiffany will follow up on use of
the account. We are currently reimbursing for Staples.
Tiffany said the person who manages our web domain can create related email addresses for
each officer. Follow a link that will be sent to your personal email.
Ed made a motion to accept Resolution 25-9, the numbers presented for a temporary budget
(seconded and passed unanimously).
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Bobby Mix started a gofundme account for Christmas decorations for the circle. We needed
$2,376 and received $2,545, with the website charging $80.71. With an additional gift of cash,
we earned a net of $2,564.64. Tiffany noted that there are some tariff and shipping fees also
involved for some of the decorations and some were not available until January. The adjusted
rate for all the decorations is actually $3,082.40 (518 short). We had allocated $200 toward
decorations that was unused, so Laura made a motion to merge that allocation with the
gofundme monies (seconded and passed unanimously). Now at 318 short, Tiffany said she
would donate $100 and another audience member said they would donate $50. Laura will
donate $50, leaving the number at $118 short. Another member of the audience donated $118.
Tiffany made a motion to purchase the lights (4 now and 8 on backorder); the motion was
seconded and passed unanimously.
Our year-end meeting is December 29.
ADJOURNMENT
Tiffany made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded, and passed at 7:16 pm.