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 and may be obtained by request from our Fiscal Officer.
The Board of Deerfield Township Trustees met in regular session on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 6:00pm, with Trustees Tiffany Havens, Ed Dean and Mark Bann present. Chairman Dean opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting held Sep- tember 11, 2023 and approve them as written. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was as follows:
Yes Mr. Bann Yes Mr. Dean
Abstain –Mrs. Havens Since Absent
Ed moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting held September 18, 2023 and approve them as written. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Tiffany moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting held September 28, 2023 and approve them as written. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Tiffany moved to approve the September financials as presented. Ed seconded the mo- tion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Communications:
- AmeriCorps sent information regarding their Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program. They would like to send information for Deerfield Township to distribute. The Trustees were okay with doing so.
- Board of Elections Portage County, Ohio notified Deerfield Township of the General Election to be held November 7, 2023. Polling places are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm for voting at the Deerfield Town Hall. Ed made a motion to allow the Board of Elections to use the Deerfield Town Hall on March 19, 2024 for the Primary Election, August 6, 2024 for the Special Election, if applicable, and November 5, 2024 for the General Election. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
- Ohio Township Association sent information to notify the Township of their new township program that provides access to OTA education at $250 per year for all active and affiliate members withing the Township and unlimited registration of 2024 webinars and all archives. The subscription begins on January 1st and expires on December 31st of each year. Tiffany made a motion to enroll in the Ohio Township Association Training Program at a cost of $250. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
• Jamie Hilverding with the Chester Puller Young Marines attended the meeting to request from the Trustees their support giving proclamation that Red Ribbon Week will take place during the week of October 23-31, 2023. It’s a program that teaches the youth about illicit drug awareness. Tiffany made a motion to declare October 23-31, 2023 Red Ribbon Week in Deerfield Township. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous. Tiffany read the proclamation aloud at the meeting and indicated she would advertise on our website.
Fire Department: Scott Dean provided a verbal report for the fire department on activity since the last meeting. The fire department ran 16 medical calls, 3 fire calls, 1 service call and 3 motor vehicle accidents. Mutual aid was given 6 times and was received 8 times.
Scott Dean spoke with a plumber and due to cost, the shower discussed at a previous meeting is not feasible at this time due to cost.
The time clock program is in. Scott and Derek are in the process of setting up the fingerprinting process.
The engine repairs are completed. They repaired the brake drums and chamber.
The squad has been to multiple places for service. It was sent to Springers for alignment and multiple emergency repairs. Recently, the driver side mirror rusted off and needed replaced.
The boat has been serviced.
Ed made a motion to pay for the emergency repairs to have the brakes and shocks fixed on the Brush Truck. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The Deerfield Fire Department is helping with Southeast Football again this year. Deerfield Fire will be participating in the Applebutter Festival. The Fire Department participated in the Berlin Boat Show & the Home Town Heroes at Sebring.
Ashley Davis, of Deerfield Township submitted an application to join the Deerfield Fire Department as a paramedic. She also works in the ER at Alliance Community Hospital. Mark made a motion to accept her application on a one-year probationary basis. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Anthony Popio submitted a letter to the Trustees to consider him for the SAFER grant opportunity to pay a portion of his education at the Kent State Policy Academy. He has been a member of the department for four (4) years and intends to continue to be a member of the department after his schooling. He intends to work for the Portage County Sheriff.
Tiffany made a motion to purchase a new electric tower heater from Lowes for the bedroom at the Deerfield Fire Department. Ed seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Deerfield Fire member Mitchell Graf resigned effective September 13, 2023.
Ed made a motion to accept a donation of a power unit, combi tool cutter and ram from Osnaburg Fire Department for the use at Deerfield Fire Department. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Scott Dean indicated Myers Equipment has a clean, 2003 ambulance available with a 7.3 and 60k miles on it. Including decals, lighting and the cot mounted, the total cost is approximately $25,000. Mark Bann made a motion to approve the new ambulance upon inspection by 3rd party K&D to determine if mechanically sound. Tiffany seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Portage County held a meeting a couple weeks ago to discuss with the southeast township chiefs plus Atwater Township county wide EMS service. He indicated $1 million was secured for this program. They would like to have ambulances in Edinburg Township, Deerfield Township and Paris Township. The program will be discussed at the next Ohio Township Association meeting held in November. This program will take our Ambulance & our sleeping quarters and not notify Deerfield Township of local calls. At this time, more information is needed. Also, the one million dollars has not yet been approved for this purpose.
Chuck Little, member of Deerfield Fire Department resigned his position after serving fifty-two (52) years. Mark Bann thanked Chuck for his service. Ed and Tiffany also thanked him for his service.
Tiffany Havens has a question on the $10k bunk room money through the SAFER Grant that must be used by June. They intend to put the bunk room in the back because it must be in an existing building.
Road Department: A new employee was hired to start on October 16, 2023 as Buildings and Grounds Supervisor. Timmy is still off on Workers Comp injury. Road patching needs done. At this time, all equipment is okay.
Ed made a motion to retain Gary Leifheit as a part time employee until Timothy Suderman returns. Tiffany seconded the motion the roll call vote was unanimous.
Buildings & Grounds: The pavilion at the ballfields is 85% completed. It is expected to be completed prior to the Apple Butter Festival held October 14, 2023. Ed thanked the Deerfield Civic Association for this donation.
Cemeteries: No Report.
New Business: Ed made a motion to hold two (2) meetings a month on the 2nd and 4th Mondays in October and November and two (2) meetings in December held on the 2nd Tuesday and December 27, 2023 for the year end meeting. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
The following revenues and bills were presented for Trustees’ inspection and approval: See Revenue Receipt Register Payment Register attached.
Ed made a motion to pay these bills and adjourn the meeting. Mark seconded the motion and the roll call vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 6:48pm.