On Tuesday June 12th the Suffield Township Board of Trustees met before a crowd of 17 people. The issue that drew the most attention was the mowing, or more accurately the lack of mowing, on several township properties. This is an issue that seems to be dealt with yearly. Martha Saenger, a Waterloo Road resident, read a prepared text concerning the property at 1864 Waterloo Road. Her complaint was that the property has not been mowed all year and is a definite eyesore to the neighborhood. Her daughter Judy Bills, also a neighbor, added her comments on that property. Trustee Jared Phillip, who is familiar with the property, said that the property owner is planning on baling the tall grass, but hasn't gotten around to it just yet. He also mentioned that the house is under renovation and the interior is currently in a "gutted state". Mrs Saenger said that the house has been vacant for four years. Due to restrictions in the Ohio Revised Code on what a township can do in such situations, the trustees have opted to sending a warning letter to the property owner, giving a ten day notice to cut the lawn. Two other properties, 923 Waterloo Road and 1526 Trares Road, are also going to be receiving a warning letter.
Tony Badalamenti, an Aurora resident, came to the meeting introduce himself to the trustees and the gathering. He is a Republican running for county commissioner. Fire Chief Robert Rasnick came to the meeting to personally give his fire report for the month of May. The Fire Department responded to 72 calls for service with a large majority of them coming in the last two weeks of the month. He proudly acknowledged that Captain Robert Dudley was named Ohio EMS Provider of the Year. Rasnick praised Dudley for the honor and his 48 years of service to the Suffield Fire Department. The Chief said that the community has received an ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating of 4 for this year, which is the same as last year. Over the past several years the Fire Department has worked at improving this status. Insurance rates are in part based on ISO ratings. Rasnick also said that the Fire Department received a grant from the Bureau of Workers Compensation for $3,960 to buy new firefighter gloves. The township must match the grant with $792 in local funds.
Trustee Jared Phillip presented the final plan for new signage around the municipal complex. The trustees agreed to pay Graphic Details, Inc. $5,000 for the work. The signage includes new lettering (Suffield Community Room) on the east end of the Fire House, a new seal over the entrance and various letterings on the doors and interior lobby. There will also be two signs near the road on both State Route 43 and Waterloo Road. A new face to the sign currently in front of the old Administration Building will soon read, "Suffield Township - Home of the Field Falcons".
Trustee Jeff Eldreth asked that the township replace a worker who has opted to leave for full time employment elsewhere. They voted to advertise the position, which will be referred to has "summer help" with up to 40 hours of weekly work at $15.00 per hour. The actual job posting will appear in the Record-Courier and this website soon. Eldreth said that the Road Department has been mowing, and is just about finished with crack sealing. He asked for a purchase order in the amount of $8,000 for culvert work to be done on Palm Road near Saxe Road. This work MAY be started as soon this Friday, June 15th. As the road will need to be closed, we'll post his as soon as we know for sure.
Eldreth also said that David Kuntzman Tree Service was called out for some emergency work. A tree at the East Lawn Cemetery was in danger of falling on a neighbor's garage and had to be removed right away. The township has not yet received the bill for these services. Eldreth also said that he'd like to get started on the planning and building of a new salt barn. More discussion was postponed until a later meeting.
Fred Herro asked about the water level at Wingfoot Lake. Jared Phillip said that the county Soil and Water Resources Department may assist the township in getting the elevation by using their surveying team. Jim and Janelle Albertoni returned to the trustee's meeting. Jim complained that Excel Lane should be crack sealed sooner, rather than later.
The trustees have changed their next meeting date from Tuesday June 26th to Friday June 22nd at 7:00 AM. The Zoning Commission also changed their June meeting from June 13th to Wednesday June 20th at 7:00 PM. The Board of Zoning Appeals has a hearing set for Tuesday June 19th at 8:00 PM. All meetings are in the Suffield Community Room at 1256 Waterloo Road and the public is very welcome.
Trustee Jeff Eldreth reported that the Road Department is working on crack sealing. He asked the trustees to approve spending another $10,000 for crack seal materials. The motion was approved. Eldreth also asked that the township purchase 400 tons of salt. Last yerar the price was $34.00 per ton, using the ODOT Winter Bid program. This will save the township a ton of money (pun intended). Eldreth also asked that the trustees approve spending $3,500 to hire flagers from Area Wide Patrol for some upcoming crack sealing. This motion passed. He also accepted the bids for road materials. Lastly, Eldreth said that the water problem along Palm Road, very near to the Mogadore Reservoir, wasn't solved by trapping a couple of beavers. A more permanent solution, which likely includes a new cross-road culvert may be necessary. No immediate decision was made on this issue.
