DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Date: March 9th 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: Chief Derek Day
CALL TO ORDER
Tiffany Havens called the meeting to order at 6:01pm; the Pledge of Allegiance began
MEETING MINUTES
1/12 Meeting Minutes. Tiffany made a motion to approve with corrections discussed
(seconded and passed unanimously).
2/9 Meeting Minutes. Tabled, not enough time.
2/9 Financials. Vaughn made a motion to table due to a question about eye and dental
(seconded and passed unanimously).
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Engineer’s Resolution 26-4 was accepted for right of way permits. (Vaughn made
the motion which passed unanimously).
Lori Manning, with the Ohio Plan, notified Tiffany and Tracey to let them know she is ill
and won’t be attending the meeting. Tracey has a check for insurance and will send it.
Heidi Workman sent an email for trustees to look over regarding the capital budget and
bigger projects; nothing pertained to us.
Land Bank. We have until April 14 to request demolition of any other structures. Vaughn
suggested the house on Rt. 14 next to Family Dollar. Tiffany said she already submitted it
but can resubmit. She will also share with Vaughn one requested by a resident.
Portage County District Library requests use of the parking lot on 6/8 and 8/8 for their
bookmobile. Tiffany made a motion to allow use of the Township Hall parking lot free of
charge (seconded and passed unanimously).
Ohio Edison asked about preferred lighting for the LED streetlight request; we have until
March 11. Vaughn said he preferred 3K dimmer and will respond. Tiffany made a motion
for Vaughn to select the lighting, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
GUEST SPEAKER
Jill Crawford. She was just visiting and wanted to stop by to let people know she is here
for them. They are currently working on property taxes.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Craig Brown, representative of NOPEC, came by to introduce himself and welcome
questions. He left info on the bulletin board.
Ken Kollar. The Berlin Lake Association is requests permission for their event, Wreaths
Across America, to be held at Hartzell Cemetery on Dec. 19. They put wreaths on
veterans’ graves; there are 205 veterans at Hartzell. Wreaths are $17 each. Tiffany made
a motion to allow the event, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
Sandy Engle left info about “Spring into Health,
” 3/21, 11:00-4:00. The event will be held
at Randolph Community Center and is free to the public.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Road Department/Maintenance (Tim Suderman)
Road Department
Road cleanup is being done on Wagner. We are also doing culvert, sign, trees, and
ditch repairs.
We need an auger ($1,425) and a beater bar ($555) for the F-450 spreader gate.
Vaughn made a motion to pay for these (seconded and passed unanimously).
A V-box auger is needed for the International. Vaughn made a motion to support the
purchase (seconded and passed unanimously).
Buildings and Grounds
We are switching trash service to Zehnder Disposal.
We need about $600 for wire and outlets at the circle. Tiffany made a motion to cover
this (seconded and passed unanimously).
Laura will reach out to the cemetery to see if they will pay $3,000 for tree trimming in the
spring.
Laura contacted Cassaday Turkle Funeral Home in Alliance about indigent disposition;
they agreed to $500. Laura made a motion to accept this amount (seconded and
passed unanimously).
Tiffany asked for an update on the pipe in the old town hall closet.
Vaughn called the architect about the gazebo but has not heard back.
Vaughn also contacted the IT guys about security (cameras, cyber, locks).
Cemeteries
We had one full burial since the last meeting.
Stone was delivered to Deerfield Cemetery. The cemetery paid for the stone and some
tree trimming. Tiffany made a motion to accept their donation (seconded and passed
unanimously).
Fire Department (Chief Day)
Total calls for Feb: 24 (9 fire, 15 EMS).
We’re waiting for an estimate on life packs, expecting $6-7,000, including yearly
maintenance and batteries.
There was live burn training at Deerfield Station on 3/7; 14 people attended. The training
was open to other departments.
We would like to send up to 10 people to wilderness class training in Akron, May 22, at
$25 per person. Vaughn made a motion to pay for this (seconded and passed
unanimously). We’ll see if FEMA money can cover.
Todd and Alicia would like to attend Fire Dept. training in Indianapolis. Tiffany made a
motion to support this (seconded and passed unanimously).
Derek said we need to start discussing a new ambulance now; it can take up to 2 years.
The sonar class is full; 5 classes are still in the works.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is April 4.
There is a 6AM-6PM burning ban in effect, as it’s brush fire season.
The department is reviewing the handbooks, will sign at the next meeting.
The Chief requested a stipend for a night shift driver (now that we have bunks), to rotate
among staff at $50 a night (plus hourly). Tiffany made a motion to try this for 90 days and
reassess. (seconded and passed unanimously).
Vaughn mentioned that there are some man and garage doors that need replaced at
the fire department. Tim getting a quote, and NOPEC should fund it.
Tiffany thanked the community for donations for the hygiene bags; they’re all set.
Todd had $200 left over from purchase of the boots and shields. Tiffany made a motion
to use what’s remaining to pay for additional shields (seconded and passed
unanimously).
Tiffany asked to go into executive session at 7:05 under ORC 121-22, compensation of a
public employee. Tiffany invited Derek to join the conversation with updates.
Upon returning at 7:17, Tiffany made a motion to accept a settlement agreement
between the attorneys and trustees, noting one verbiage change (back compensation
between the complainant and the Deerfield Fire Department). The motion was
seconded and passed unanimously.
Capt. Brian Allison asked for Resolution 26-5 to be read aloud. Tiffany said that it’s public
record, so anyone can find and read it.
OLD BUSINESS
Tiffany asked for an update on the Huntington credit card. Tracey said we don’t have
them yet but we’re getting there.
NOPEC community sponsorships and nonprofit status. Denise Adams said the Civics
Association runs on an EIN# and showed a certificate; it is not a 501(c)(3). The decision
was made to leave things alone this year and reevaluate next year. Other organizations
expressed interest in taking advantage of the money.
Tiffany and Nancy discussed Nancy’s new job description and Nancy accepted the
terms. Laura made a motion to accept Nancy’s promotion to Administrative Assistant
(seconded and passed unanimously).
Tiffany wrote a letter of thanks to the Historical Society for the loan of display photos.
Tiffany will attend the P.C. Combined General Health District Dinner on 3/18.
Park Grant. There was consensus to complete the work before the season starts, with a
large portion of the money going to parking. No other companies have shown interest.
NEW BUSINESS
Office updates. Vaugh would like a label maker. Tiffany requests a water dispenser/jugs
at $189, with water delivery from Chets. Tiffany made a motion to pay for the supplies
(seconded and passed unanimously). We’ll figure out what to do with the wall-mounted
water fountain.
Tiffany asked if the Civics Association planned to do flower baskets this year (yes).
Tiffany made a motion to buy geraniums from DeHoff Flowers as we did last year
(seconded and passed unanimously).
An IT guy is coming to the next meeting to talk about cyber security.
We will have a handicap accessible porta potty starting on April 1.
ADJOURNMENT
Tiffany made a motion to adjourn, 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