DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Date: September 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
Assistant Fiscal Officer: Nancy Cowan
Fire: Chief Scott or Captain Bardelli
Special Guests: Tom McCarty, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Portage County
CALL TO ORDER
● Tiffany Havens called the meeting to order at 6:02. The Pledge of Allegiance began the
meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES/REPORTS
● June 9th meeting minutes. Tiffany made a motion to approve, which was seconded
and passed unanimously.
● July 14th meeting minutes. Where “a motion was made” was stated should give credit to
Tiffany. Tiffany made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded and
passed unanimously.
● August 11 meeting minutes. Tabled to next meeting.
● August 29 special meeting minutes. Trustee Bardelli should read Captain Bardelli. Tiffany
suggested that regarding the fire truck, it should read “finalized terms with a compete
inventory,” and also that it had been test driven by Todd and Tim. Tiffany made a
motion to approve with changes, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
● Tracey: 25-6 resolution for solid waste management. Every county has to have a solid
waste plan. Ed read the resolution describing the solid waste plan (see the attached
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES
Date: September 8th 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Deerfield Township Hall
resolution) and made a motion to accept the resolution (seconded and passed
unanimously).
● Tracey: need a resolution for budget, property taxes. Ed made a motion to accept the
resolution (see the attached resolution Accepting the amounts and rates as
determined by the Portage Couty Auditor’s Office) (seconded and passed
unanimously).
FIRE DEPARTMENT HEARING
● Tom McCarty spoke and said he had asked Chief Scott Dean to attend and answer a
few questions regarding the employment of Lindsay Davis. He presented some
documents relevant to the case. Two documents were shared: (A) A Letter, June 10,
2024 written by Chief Dean and (B) a letter from Chief Dean to the Trustees on February
19, 2025. The June 10, 2024 letter was to ask Ms. Davies to come in and talk with us
about getting back on track/compliance. She had not worked there for about 2 years
(the reason was unknown to the Chief). She had made a complaint alleging sexual
harassment; Brian Kelderhouse, the accused party, resigned Oct. 2024. Before resigning,
he was under paid suspension (immediately after the complaint was filed). Suspension
to resignation was about 18 months. Trustees hired/paid an independent party to
investigate, which lasted more than a year. The result/recommendation was sent to the
Trustees (they have it). There was no reaction from Ms. Davis for several months, despite
the attempt/letter to communicate with her. Ms. Davis did not meet the 7% standard
(make 7% of calls to be an active member of the fire department). The letter stated
that Ms. Davis had until 4:00pm on June 24, 2024 (two weeks) to contact the chief or be
removed from active duty. She did not reach out until November 2024 when she
emailed or texted the Chief asking for a second meeting with officers and Chief
(meeting completed Dec. 19, 2024). Chief and two Captains (Allison and Bardelli) met
with her and offered terms to return: current medic/fire card, continuing ed/sex
harassment training, meet with Capt. Allison to complete retraining. Though directed to
a number of times, she did not contact (to this day) Capt. Allison, or anyone else in
admin, nor show up to announced trainings. The Feb. 19, 2025 letter from Chief to
Trustees was to terminate her employment (they approved termination). She then
appealed.
● Lindsay then spoke, saying she filed the initial complaint on Nov. 20, 2023. The accused
continued to serve for a month, when she decided she couldn’t continue working in
that environment. The scheduled hearing was postponed five different times, which
were not her fault/choice. The June 2023 letter was received after the deadline to
make the meeting (the postmark is evidence). Reached out to Tiffany, who said she
would try to arrange a meeting. Lindsay offered them 6 dates, which were denied. She
provided all documentation, tried to meet, and expressed all concerns to Scott Dean.
Two 5–10-hour shifts were agreed upon for training; however, Brian Allison said he had
major abdominal surgery so was unable to complete training. No one followed up with
her about rescheduled training. She was surprised to hear of the termination given
these circumstances. To Lyndsay, the actions seemed retaliatory as she is highly
credentialed and is a resident in Deerfield township. There was one sexual harassment
training she was unable to make due to her full-time job. ORC dictates in 4113.41
Section E that employees can’t be penalized for this circumstance. She has acted in
good faith and wants to continue serving in the department.
● Tiffany clarified that the sexual harassment investigation was by a female attorney and
the recommendation was discharge. The accused employee was given the
opportunity to resign, which he did prior to a pending hearing.
● Tom noted that he was hired by the county in Jan. 2025 and took online sexual
harassment training (taken by all employees on the first day). Tiffany said we didn’t
have online training available. Laura contacted the Ohio Township Association, and
they sent out a woman to conduct the trainings. One session was recorded, but the
recording was not made available to Lyndsay (and we no longer have the iPad).
● Tiffany said no decision is required today; we will take the info under consideration.
Tiffany made a motion for trustees (only) to move to executive session under ORC
121.22 regarding the termination of a public employee, under subsection G1
(seconded, and passed unanimously). At 6:54, trustees invited the appellant and
attorneys into the discussion.
● The trustees and other parties returned from executive session at 7:10. The Trustees
asked for proof of postmark on letter and proof of dispatch to (and attendance at) the
fire during sexual harassment training. The postmarked letter can be provided today,
and other can be furnished in two weeks, Tiffany made a motion to return Lyndsay to
Captain status with a one-year probationary period, for her to complete sexual
harassment training by the end of the year. All other training and documentation in 60
days: 8 hrs. of remedial firefighter/paramedic training with person of equal or higher
experience and training than her, certification for ACLS and BLS, up to date Ohio
firefighter and paramedic card, and all continuing ed docs. Laura seconded, and the
motion passed unanimously. Tiffany asked to be informed of any delays in training.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Denise Adams. Civic Association will hold a candidates night sept 24th 6pm, for all
candidates on the ballot. Will put on billboard.
● Bill Good. Many people were dissatisfied with thank you’s being removed from the
digital sign, so Bill donated packs of thank you cards for personal thank you notes.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Road Department/Maintenance (Ed on behalf of Tim Suderman)
Road Department
● The check engine light is on in the International dump truck; we’ll need to send it to be
looked at. Ed made a motion to take it to Clarks in Lake Milton for a price of up to
$1,000 (seconded, and passed unanimously).
● The Steiner tire split a sidewall and will need to be replaced. Should be under $200.
● We will be patching roads this week (holes, and miscellaneous areas).
● We plan to continue roadside mowing starting next week until finished.
● We installed a new jack on the equipment trailer. We priced a new trailer at an
estimated $9,150. Tim would like to wait until spring to make a purchase, as we don’t
use it much in the winter. Tiffany asked for specs at the next meeting.
● Chip and seal should be mid-late next week.
● We agreed to get new tires on the F250. Ed made a motion to get an alignment for up
to $250 (seconded and passed unanimously).
Laura said she heard from ODOT and funding was awarded for the new LED flashing
stop signs for the circle (hopefully installed by November).
● Tiffany asked if fire is informed when roads are closed for work. Ed said he can reach
out.
Buildings and Grounds (Ed on behalf of Tim)
● We would like to have $400 approved for lumber and paint to repair buildings at
Mottown and Hartzell cemeteries; Laura made the motion to support $400 (seconded
and passed unanimously).
● We will be moving the shoreline power cord for Medic 14 to the front station when the
other truck arrives. Will be under $500.
● A woman, Olivia on Bear Hollow, called about renting the Town Hall for a public potluck
dinner. She will invite the community via social media and flyers. The event will be
October 19; we will post it to the sign.
● Tree work is mostly done with the exception of a large tree in Deerfield cemetery (will
be about $700 for a large tree, which will become an issue in the future but for now, it
can wait).
● Ed. The gazebo has been taken down, and a check will be sent to us. The monument
claim is done too. Ed will contact the prosecutor about how to proceed.
Cemeteries (Ed on behalf of Tim)
● We have one cremation burial and one full burial scheduled.
● Settled graves have been topped with topsoil and seeded (topsoil donated by Gary
Smith, United Earthworks).
● Hartzell fence.All three trustees got quotes for Hartzell cemetery for roughly the same
price for the fencing. Tom McCarty said he would draft a letter to the property owner.
Tiffany read the three quotes comparing rates for 120’ long 4’ tall chain link fencing. Ed
made a motion to go with the lowest quote (Williams Fence Co.) after we get approval
from the attorney (seconded and passed unanimously).
Fire Department (Captain Todd Bardelli)
● For the month of September we had 17 EMS and 16 Fire. There were 264 total calls to
date for the year.
● Medic 14 needs to go to K&D for a back blower motor.
● The check was sent for the new truck; we’ll set up a date to go get it.
● Need a radio for our new engine for a quote of $2957.64 (see attached).
● Dry hydrants – fire dept got a quote for $20 each for one-sided sign (so $40 per hydrant)
which would be consistent with those in other townships (would need to install with a
post). We are unsure of legalities surrounding this issue, or who has jurisdiction (Ed said
we will figure that out). We should ask Mr. McCarty to draft a simple agreement
between the homeowner and the township and then talk with homeowners.
● Laura asked is there are EMS who could attend high school football games. Fire
personnel said that we can’t leave our primary post to be miles away at a game. If
personnel are paid extra to be in attendance, that’s a matter for discussion with the
Chief.
● Tiffany asked about the district survey, but Todd didn’t know the status.
● Tiffany reached out to the Portage County Sherrif’s Office regarding the Ravenna
dispatch contract. We received a letter with information from other provider(s) and
estimates. Tiffany invited a representative to come to the October meeting; we should
make a decision in November.
OLD BUSINESS
● Tracey. The auditor Is asking for us to try to cut budgets. We are still paying for the Town
Hall. At the same time, we are losing money on Town Hall rentals (cleaning, electric,
trash service, heat, snow, salt, etc.). Tracey argued that we need to enforce the
contract fee voted on in January for $150 instead of $50 (for residents). Any
non-resident should be paying a minimum of $150. Tiffany said that we should consider
this at the start of the year. Nancy handles rental contracts. We should also try to
increase rentals for more revenue.
NEW BUSINESS
● none.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed at 8:08 pm.
______________________________ ______________________________
Tiffany Havens Ed Dean
Trustee/Chair Trustee
______________________________ ______________________________
Laura Lindberg Tracey Dean
Trustee Fiscal Officer
Minutes respectfully submitted by Cary Wecht
Cary Wecht