On Monday September 10th the Suffield Township Board of Trustees met before a much smaller crowd than usual. Perhaps it was that the meeting had been moved forward one day, or maybe it was the sudden onset of fall, but the five attendees heard mostly routine business. Fire Chief Robert Rasnick reported that the Fire Department had been busy 
in August, compiling 78 calls for service and bringing them to 532 calls for the year. He announced that firefighter Kyle Knapp had resigned effective August 31st due to his return to college. On a happier note, Rasnick said that the annual Pancake Breakfast was a big success. He said that there was a larger than usual crowd and that the Suffield Fire Department Explorers were able to raise $2,000 towards their trip to the Firemen's Annual Conference in Indianapolis next spring. The trustees allocated $2,000 to replace the bed in the Fire Department's pickup truck.
Chairman Tom Calcei reported that the Portage County Commissioners had approved a tax abatement for Hamrick Manufacturing. Hamrick had come to the last trustees meeting to secure their blessing on the abatement matter. The manufacturing company is planning to spending about $500,000 on building improvements and will be hiring additional personnel. Calcei also mentioned that NOPEC was offering a grant of up to $19,630 to the township for projects that would improve our energy efficiency. The township may be eligible to collect this amount for up to three consecutive years. The trustees voted to accept the official tax rate for Suffield. This resolution will be forwarded to the County Auditor.
Trustee Jeff Eldreth said that the Road Department was busy the past several weeks. Of note, they power washed the historic Town Hall, painted the cupola on the Town Hall and cut down a tree in front of the old administration building, which will allow a better view of the flag there and the new "Suffield: Home of the Falcons" sign. He also said that the roughly ten miles of roads that had been chipped and sealed this year will be stripped soon by a private contractor. There was an extensive conversation on re-roofing the township Road Department garage. Due to a lack of "Apples to Apples" bids, no final decision was made. Part of the consideration is whether to go with three-rib steel roofing, standing rib steel roofing or shingle roofing. Eldreth said he would get a couple more estimates before the next meeting.
Adam Bey said a lot of building is taking place in Suffield. Most of it is in the routine nature, such as decks and garages. There is one new house in the works on Goodyear Lake Boulevard. Bey had met with county prosecutor Chris Meduri and was given exact instructions on how the paperwork for the William Gump burial should be handled. Meduri opined that by allowing this one-time ashes burial, the township would not be setting a precedent.
Jared Phillip said that the signage on and around the township campus was nearly complete. The lettering on the glass doors on the east side of the administration building should be done this week Tom Calcei also reported that the association of Portage County townships had come to an agreement on how to divide the Local Government Funds. He said that the they voted to accept a five year plan that would give each of the townships $22,300 per year, plus each township would receive an additional amount that would be based on their population. Under this plan, Suffield came out a winner. This year Suffield's share of the approximate $3,600,000 pie was about $28,424. Under the new plan, that amount would rise in 2019 to about $45,000. The trustees voted to accept this plan and this resolution will be forwarded to the County Budget Commission. Calcei also mentioned having Elegant Lighting decorate for the Christmas season the Town Hall and the old administration building. Jared Phillip motioned to expend $1,800 to accomplish this. The resolution passed 3-0. Jared Phillip also motioned that the township trustees set Sunday October 28th as "Trick or Treat" day. Jeff Eldreth seconded the motion, which passed 3-0. The "Trick or Treat" hours will be the usual 2-4 PM. And lastly, Tom Calcei mentioned that 80% of the county's 18 township have had positive tests for the West Nile virus, which is carried mainly by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can also transmit dog heartworm disease too. Contact the Portage County Health District Mosquito Education Program at 296-9919 for more information.
The trustees next meet on Tuesday September 25th at 7:00 AM. The Zoning Commission meets next on Wednesday September 12th at 7:00 PM. There are no Board of Zoning Appeals hearings on the calendar. Both meetings will be at the Community Room, 1256 Waterloo Road.
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in August, compiling 78 calls for service and bringing them to 532 calls for the year. He announced that firefighter Kyle Knapp had resigned effective August 31st due to his return to college. On a happier note, Rasnick said that the annual Pancake Breakfast was a big success. He said that there was a larger than usual crowd and that the Suffield Fire Department Explorers were able to raise $2,000 towards their trip to the Firemen's Annual Conference in Indianapolis next spring. The trustees allocated $2,000 to replace the bed in the Fire Department's pickup truck.
