Disclaimer: Video Links are posted as a courtesy to our residents and are not owned by Deerfield Township. Videos are recorded by a third party. Be advised that the official meeting minutes are recorded by our Fiscal Officer and approved by the Board of Trustees. These minutes are posted below for your convenience or may be obtained by request from our Fiscal Officer.
The Board of Deerfield Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday, December 27, 2023, at 6:00pm, with Trustees Ed Dean, Mark Bann and Tiffany Havens present. Chairman Dean opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tiffany moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting held December 11, 2023 and approve them as written. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was as follows:
Mrs. Havens – Yes
Mr. Dean – Yes
Mr. Bann – Abstain Since Absent
Communications: None
Portage County Commissioner Mike Tinlin attended the meeting. He sworn Mrs. Laura
Lindberg in as Deerfield Township Trustee.
Fire Department:
Scott Dean provided a Billing Services Agreement Contract to the Trustees for their review to discuss at the next meeting.
Fire Chief Scott Dean requested the Trustees to go into executive session.
Ed made a motion to go into executive session for the reason of appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual unless the employee, official, licensee or regulated individual unless they request a public hearing by Division (G)(1) of Section 121.22 of the Revised Code. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Newly elected Trustee Laura Lindberg joined the executive session with the Trustees, the Fire Chief and Portage County Prosecutor Brett.
Trustee Mark Bann did not return to the regular meeting after executive session.
Ed made a motion to exit executive session. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Ed made a motion to go into the regular Trustee Meeting and enter the public session of the Trustee meeting. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Fire Chief Scott Dean suggested to evenly divide the fire reimbursements among all active members January through June 2023 due to lack of information to calculate as in past years. Tiffany made a motion to disburse $6,000 fire reimbursement evenly per the Fire Chief recommendation. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Scott Dean will provide the list to the Fiscal Officer.
Ed made a motion to hire a 3rd party IT guy of the Fire Chief’s choice to assist with the setup of the timecard program. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Ed made a motion to pay the $650 tow bill for a tow out on Shilling Road for a mutual aid fire. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Deerfield resident, John Girscht, is concerned about the rule that either two (2) EMTs or two (2) paramedics are needed to drive the squad. He is requesting the Board of Trustees write a letter to the Governor regarding this ruling for Volunteer Fire Departments. The minimum qualifications to drive the ambulance is an EMR. He is concerned our levy will not pass in November due to this rule, the service of the Deerfield Fire Department is suffering for our residents. There was a short discussion regarding this with examples.
Road Department/Buildings & Grounds/Cemeteries: Due to the good weather, Deerfield Township has been saving money on salt this winter.
The 2003 pick-up truck was donated from the Deerfield Fire Department earlier this year. Ed proposed removing the bed and taking to the public auction in Edinburg. Any proceeds received he feels should be returned to the Fire Fund since they donated the truck. Ed made a motion to purchase from Bed & Trailer Sales a special order aluminum truck bed at a cost of $3,855. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. They will need our tax exempt number and a check number at time of pick- up. The Road Department crew will pick up and install truck bed.
The salt shed has a rip in the tarp. Miller Builders originally built that. OTARMA will cover the repairs. Miller Builders will come out after the 1st of the year. Repairs could take six weeks to two months to complete. Ed made a motion to reimburse Gary Leifheit for a tarp he ordered from Ebay at a cost of $470. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. The tarp receipt needs emailed to our insurance agent.
We are not currently getting discounted salt at this time.
The Deerfield Circle got hit again on December 17, 2023. Driver was traveling East on State Route 224 and failed to stop. Damage includes the fence, Christmas decorations and damages to the monument. The Board needs to go online and start this claim. Tiffany made a motion to file a claim to get reimbursed with this drivers insurance company. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
ODOT is proposing a roundabout be put in at the intersection of State Route 224 & State Route 225. The area will be large enough for long semis, overload vehicles, wide load, overweight, farm machinery, etc. The funding is guaranteed and is projected to begin in Fiscal Year 2027 and completed in Fiscal Year 2028. The Superfund site and the Deerfield Skating rink will remain as it is. Due to the responsibility of the Superfund site, the project will be put in towards the West. A drawing was shared. Ed andTiffany shared information on studies of roundabouts and their relation to the efficiency and safety they provide along with statistics. Governor DeWine is providing $73 million for projects. This project will be approximately $4.7 million.
New Business:
Resolution No. 23-17
Charles Ed Dean, Chairman of the Board of Deerfield Township Trustees moved to adopt Resolution No. 23-17, thereby, to commit to move forward with the application for the Ohio Public Works Grant and pave both Fewtown and Bandy Roads and authorize the expenditures at a cost of 50% to the Township, or $190,953.11 from the 2024 budget from the road funds
WHEREAS, the State Capital Improvement Program and the Local Transportation Improvement Program both provide financial assistance to political subdivisions for capital improvements to public infrastructure, and
WHEREAS, the Deerfield Township is planning to make capital improvements to Fewtown and Bandy Road, and
WHEREAS, the infrastructure improvement herein above described is considered to be a priority need for the community and is a qualified project under the OPWC programs,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by, Deerfield Township:
Section 1: Charles Ed Dean is hereby authorized to apply to the OPWC for funds as described above.
Section 2: Charles Ed Dean, is authorized to enter into any agreements as may be necessary and appropriate for obtaining this financial assistance.
Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was as follows:
Mr. Dean Mrs. Havens Mr. Bann
Adopted: December 27, 2023
Yes
Yes Absent
Resolution No. 23-18:
Temporary Budget:
Ed Dean moved to adopt Resolution No. 23-18, thereby, authorizing the Fiscal Officer to request a Temporary Budget Appropriation from the Portage County Budget Commission, in order to continue business in Deerfield Township, commencing January 1, 2024 in the following amounts:
General Fund $100,000.00
Motor Vehicle License Tax Fund $ 9,500.00 Gasoline Tax Fund $ 80,000.00
Road & Bridge Fund $ 30,000.00 Cemetery Fund $ 2,500.00
Fire Protective Fund $ 85,000.00 Permissive License Tax Fund $ 15,000.00 TOTAL $322,000.00
Tiffany Havens seconded the motion and the roll call vote was as follows:
Adopted: December 27, 2023
Resolution No. 23-19:
Mr. Dean Yes Ms. Havens Yes
Ed Dean moved to adopt Resolution No. 23-19, thereby, to purchase Employee Dishonestly and Faithful Performance of Duty Coverage Bonds for the Road Superintendent, Elected Officials, Assistant Fiscal Officer and Fire Chief at a cost of $190 per bond as opposed to the bonds we purchased in the past.
Tiffany Havens seconded the motion and the roll call vote was as follows:
Mr. Dean Yes Ms. Havens Yes
Adopted: December 27, 2023
Bond Applications need to be returned prior to the end of the year. Revenues received: See Revenue Receipt Register attached.
The following bills were presented for Trustees’ inspection and approval: See Payment Register attached.
Ed 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 7:30pm.