Welcome to Suffield Township

Manning Road To Be Closed For About
Five Days Beginning September 28th.

The grade crossing on Manning Road, between State Route 43 and Mishler Road will be completely closed at the tracks from Monday September 28th until Friday October 2nd.  The closing will allow the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad to make much-needed repairs.

New Suffield Township Historical Society Newsletter has been posted.  Click on "Society Newsletters" at bottom of this page to read.  See sidebar to view dates museum will be open.

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees met before a small gathering of six interested citizens on Tuesday September 8th.  The evening meeting featured social distancing, some discussions of issues and some small talk. 

As expected, the trustees approved a measure referred to them by the Tax Incentive Review Council that recommends the continuation of tax breaks to G.P. Tree Service, Hamrick Manufacturing and Bednar Properties, better know as Hunter's Manufacturing,  Their approval will be forwarded to the Portage Development Board and ultimately to the Portage County Commissioners.  It turns out that Hamrick Manufacturing merited further discussion as they are in need of more space and would like to build a large building behind their current facilities, but they need of some assistance from the Ohio Department of Transportation.  They would like to build a driveway on Route 224 about 1400 feet east of Martin Road that would service this proposed new structure.  The problem is that Route 224 is a controlled access highway and ODOT is very reluctant to allow a private drive to enter or exit to the controlled access road.  Trustee Jeff Eldreth said that the has written a letter to ODOT expressing support for allowing this proposed driveway.

Some progress has been made in the clean-up of the old Monarch/Trellborg property.  Eldreth congratulated the Suffield 4-H kids who participated in the events at the Portage County Fair.  He said that the Suffield contingent fared very well.  Chief Robert Rasnick reported that the Fire Department responded to 71 calls for service in August, and are ahead of last year's record pace for calls.  Sadly, Rasnick said that the annual Fire Department Open House, which is usually about the second week of October, as been canceled for this year, thanks to the Covid 19 virus.  On the Zoning front, Adam Bey said that he had issued three accessory building permits in an otherwise routine month.  Trustee Jared Phillip said that he and Road Superintendent Pete Einloth are working to draft some rules and a form to regulate driveway culverts and ditching along the township's public right-of-ways.

The trustees meet again on Tuesday September 22nd at 7:00 AM.  The Zoning Commission meets on Wednesday September 9th at 7:00 PM.  Both meetings are at the Suffield Community Room, 1256 Waterloo Road.  A Board of Zoning Appeals hearing is in the works, but no date has been set.  The trustees evening meetings return to 7:00 PM with their November 10th meeting.

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday August 11th.  For the first time in a long time, residents were allowed to be personally attend, provided they adhered to the socially distancing guidelines as set forward by the State of Ohio.  This wasn't too much of a problem as only five people attended.

The trustees voted 2-0 (trustee Tom Calcei was absent) to expend $21,000 to Liberty Concrete and $36,000 to General Concrete Construction Company in order to get the new salt barn construction underway.  Chairman Jeff Eldreth reminded everyone that the census for this year was been extended to September 30th, so if you haven't already completed your census form, you still have plenty of time.  The more people that claim Suffield Township as their home, the more money that the township stands to collect, for things like the Local Government Funds apportionment, etc.

It was reported that the Fire Department responded to 65 calls for service in July.  Eldreth said that the "chip & seal" program by the Road Department has been completed for this year, and that the Road Department has mowed along the township roads three times so far, and hope to mow one more time this year.  The trustees voted to pay JD Striping $9,660 for road striping.    From the audience Bryon Wine complimented the Road Department for doing an especially good job of mowing this year.  Nothing seems to be happening with Zoning, except that Adam Bey issued a permit for a new house to be built on Martin Road.  Permits were also issued for one accessory building and one very large deck.  A complaint of junk vehicles at 1476 Trares Road was received and trustee Jared Philip said he'd look into it.

The trustees next meet on Tuesday August 25th at 7:00 AM.  The Zoning Commission meets on Wednesday August 12th at 7:00 PM.  There are no Board of Zoning Appeals hearing in the works at his time.  Said meetings will be open to the public and are held at the Suffield Community Room at 1256 Waterloo Road.

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday June 23rd for one of those in-and-out eight minute meetings.  Basically three issues were discussed.  The township will apply, through the Portage County Auditor's Office, for emergency funds available thanks to the Ohio Cares Act.  This money will help to offset the additional money that the Fire Department expended for Covid-19 pandemic expenses.  The Trustees also chose to not oppose the change in liquor licensing status for the old Burnzee Drive-thru at 1395 State Route 43, which has been sold and a new owner wishes to open another drive-thru there.  And finally, the trustees set the annual Budget Hearing for Tuesday July 14th at 7:30 PM (just prior to the regular trustee meeting that date).  Additionally, Trustee Chairman Jeff Eldreth is still hopeful that the Trustee meeting for July 14th can be held with members of the community in physical attendance.  We'll report on this when more facts are known.

The Trustees next meet on Tuesday July 14th at 8:00 PM.  As mentioned they will meet at 7:30 PM that date to hold the Budget Hearing.  The Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday July 8th at 7:00 PM for their regular monthly meeting.  The Board of Zoning Appeals swings into action with a hearing on Tuesday July 7th at 7:00 PM.

  Advertise yourself, your business or where you work by sending us your business card.  We will put it in the section above on the title bar that is entitled "Business Cards".  There is no cost to you, and the card will remain there until you ask that it be taken down, or when you ask us to replace an old card with a new, more up-to-date card.  You can e-mail the card to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or snail mail it to Jeff Childers, 229 Waterloo Road, Suffield, Ohio 44260. 

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees again met behind locked doors on Tuesday June 9th.  The meeting was accessible to the public thanks to the wonders of Facebook.

Chief Bob Rasnick said the Fire Department had responded to 66 call for service in May, and are now ahead of last year's pace.  The department has been doing training by utilizing Zoom.  A grant was received and this money will fund buying some new fire hose and paying for boots and some new "turn out" gear.  The chief also said that there will be a drive-by parade on Thursday June 18th to honor Captain Robert Dudley for his 50 years of service to Suffield Township.  Captain Dudley will assume a position in front of the Fire House and cars can drive by beginning about 3:00 PM on Thursday June 18th, which happens to be the anniversary of his hiring date with this township.  Both the Chief and Trustee Jeff Eldreth pointed out that the fifty year milestone is one that is very rarely achieved.

The Road Department has been mowing, and will shortly be done with that task.  They will then do some road patching in preparation for the annual "chip & seal" program.  Trustee Jared Phillip wanted to publicly thank the Portage County Engineer's Office, but no explanation was given.  It was mentioned that former resident Mary Denny will be turning 110 on Wednesday June 10th.  She currently lives in a nursing home in Hartville, but had been a Suffield resident for 102 years of her life.  Trustee Jared Phillip asked for clarification on the leaf dump.  Jeff Eldreth said that the leaf dump is just that - a place to dump leaves in the fall.  The township does not have a dump where residents can dump trash, such as grass clipping and tree trimmings.  

Jeff Eldreth also expressed the desire to have a car show on or about July 10th to be held at the township's municipal facility.  He also mentioned that a fireworks show would be nice for perhaps the Labor Day weekend.  Both these adventures are merely in the planning phase. 

Regarding the "parade" for Captain Robert Dudley, the Fire Department posted the following on their Facebook page:  June 18th the Suffield Fire Department will be honoring Capt. Robert Dudley’s 50 years of service to our community. Unfortunately, due to social distancing, we are unable to throw the party that he deserves. However, we will be hosting a “drive by” tribute to Bob that will be open to the public. If you would like to show your respect to Capt. Dudley, please be at the Suffield Elementary School by 2:45 p.m. on June 18th and remain in your vehicle. Bob and his family will be in front of the Suffield Fire Station to greet you as you drive by. We plan on starting at 3:00 p.m.  Have questions, call the Fire Department at 628-9240.

And lastly, the next trustee meeting will again be held on Tuesday June 23rd at 7:00 AM.  The public will again be excluded, but the meeting will be aired live on Facebook.  The trustees hope to open the meetings to the public on perhaps Tuesday July 14th at 8:00 PM.  The Portage County Health Department and guidelines from the governor's office are the stumbling blocks. The Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday June 10th at 7:00 PM in the Suffield Community Room.

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday May 26th for a meeting that lasted just over six minutes.  Basically there were two items that needed some attention.  Trustee chairman Jeff Eldreth asked for a purchase order in the amount of $5,000 to pay Seal Masters for part of the upcoming crack sealing program.  Secondly, he said that the trustees are hopeful that normal meetings could begin as soon as Tuesday June 9th, but this is dependent on what the governor has to say on crowd size and social distancing standards.  As soon as a decision is made, this website, the electronic sign and the township's Facebook pages will let you know. 

Trustee Tom Calcei was pleased with the Memorial Day Service held in front of the old historic Town Hall.  He mentioned the efforts of the Suffield League in getting up the new flags that line Waterloo Road and State Route 43.  The community raised about $4,000 in about two days to finance this much needed endeavor.

The trustees will meet gain on Tuesday June 9th at 8:00 PM in the Suffield Community Room.  If the public is prohibited from attending, the meeting will be streamed on Facebook.  The Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a meeting on Wednesday June 10th at 7:00 PM.  There are no Board of Zoning Appeals hearings scheduled at this time.  Stay safe!