Welcome to Suffield Township

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees had another two for one meeting day.  They met on Tuesday February 11th and during the first meeting okayed a resolution allowing a 13 acre parcel at 863 State Route 43 to be rezoned from Industrial to Residential.  The Zoning Commission had approved the measure, if only reluctantly, and forwarded it to the Board of Trustees, who voted 3-0 to allow the change.  The property owner has already subdivided the land into four lots and houses will be built in all likelihood this summer.

The regular Trustee meeting followed and much was discussed.  Fire Chief Bob Rasnick said that the Fire Department had handled 71 calls for service in January and that the staff participated in five continuing education classes.  He also asked for and received the trustee's blessing to apply for several grants.  Rasnick said that he hoped to get money from four separate grants.   The Chief also said that Dean Chinrock and Road Department superintendent Pete Einloth had been working with the newer firefighters in order that  they learn the township and routes to the various facilities that they might have to go to.  Trustee Jared Phillip said that the dam work at Wingfoot Lake has been completed and that ODNR is now refilling the lake to its normal levels.  He said that there is some renewed interest in the purchase of the old Suffield United Christian Church on Waterloo Road. 

Lori Calcei said that the Board of Elections is looking for pollworkers (see the article below), and that the U.S. Census Bureau is also looking for workers to conduct the 2020 Census.  Tom Calcei said that the first annual Chili Cook Off held this past weekend at Lions Park was a huge success and that plans are already in motion for next year's event.  The proceeds from this year's event were donated to the Suffield,Randolph & Atwater Food Shelf.  Calcei also mentioned that the Memorial Day Parade is changing the starting times.  The memorial service in front of the historic Town Hall will begin at 9:00 AM and the parade will step off at 10:00 AM. 

Trustee Chairman Jeff Eldreth asked for $6000 to hire H. Luli Construction Company to put in one culvert and two catch basins at Arehart Drive and Bixler Road.  He explained that the depth of this project will reach about twelve feet and proper boxing is necessary to do the job in a safe manner.  The trustees voted 3-0 to issue the purchase order.  The trustees also talked about the house at 1560 Carriage House Lane that was the source of so many complaints for years and years.  A resident came to the meeting and complained that the new owners have allowed their building permit to expire and that the renovation of the house seems to have come to a stop.  Jeff Eldreth said he'll look into the situation.  Howard Coomer complained that the residence at 387 Waterloo Road has become an eyesore with junk and junk cars, and he believes the place is being used as a business.  Trustee Jared Phillip said he's look into that situation.  The trustees also talked about the new salt shed that is getting closer to reality each day.  They talked about purchasing a new pickup truck for Road Department use.  The new truck would allow the road workers to use the department's twenty-year-old one ton dump less, in hopes of making it last a little longer.  Estimated costs for a new completely outfitted dump truck is in the $150,000 range.  A new pickup, on the other hand, is in the $35,000 range.

Long time, no see.  In the crowd of ten were old friends Bernie Trares and Ed Vincent.  Welcome back!

The trustees next meet on on Tuesday February 25th at 7:00 AM.  The Zoning Commission meets on Wednesday February 19th at 7:00 PM.  There are no Board of Zoning Appeals hearings on the calendar.  All meetings are at the Suffield Community Room at 1256 Waterloo Road.  All are welcome.

The 2020 Federal Census is about to be underway and workers are needed for various positions including, but not limited to, canvasing.  Click here to see the government's flyer on hiring of census workers.

With the primary election quickly approaching on March 17th, the Portage County Board of Elections is again in need of pollworkers.  Here are some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

What is a “precinct election official”?The Portage County Board of Elections is looking for individuals who can dedicate their time to giving back to their community by becoming a precinct election official. Every Election Day, nearly 550 citizens answer the call to staff our 130 precincts – and we want you to be one of them!

Why am I needed?   Without our precinct election officials, we simply cannot hold elections. Precinct election officials make sure that our elections are fair and impartial – and conducted according to Ohio law.

What does a precinct election official do? Precinct election officials open and close the polling place on Election Day and guide voters through the voting process. They verify that voters are in the proper location and are registered to vote. In addition, precinct election officials maintain order in the polling place and are responsible for making sure election materials are secure at all times.

Am I eligible? YES, if you... • Are registered to vote in Portage County. • Read and speak English clearly (though secondary languages are always a plus). • Attend a training class (around two hours). • Are available on Election Day (with availability for future elections preferred).

Where am I going to work? Precinct election officials must be qualified electors in Portage County. We make every effort to place our precinct election officials where they prefer, but need sometimes requires us to move precinct election officials elsewhere in the county. We will try to keep you as close to your preferred precinct as possible.

What are the hours on Election Day?Precinct election officials are required to arrive at their polling locations at 5:45 A.M. on Election Day and serve until their duties are completed after the close of the polls at 7:30 P.M., with an hour break for lunch. There are no split days. We encourage precinct election officials to bring a packed lunch and any necessary medications with them to the polling place, and to secure alternative care for their loved ones or pets.

How much will I be paid?All precinct election officials and alternates will receive $20 for attending our training class. On Election Day, precinct election officials earn $120, and presiding/return judges earn $125. Checks for the entire amount are mailed from the Auditor’s Office approximately three weeks after the election. Taxes will not be deducted and no W-2 will be issued.

How do I sign up? To request an application, call the Board of Elections at (330) 297-3512or (330) 297-3515, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Completed applications may be submitted via email, or by mail to: Portage County Board of Elections 449 S. Meridian St. – Room 101 Ravenna, OH 44266

Still have questions?  More information is available on our website, www.co.portage.oh.us/election

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. 

Eight interested parties showed up at the Suffield Township Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday evening January 14th.  Mostly routine matters were discussed or acted upon.  The trustees agreed to pay Magic Garage Doors $9,800 for three new doors and openers for the "cold storage" end of the Road Department's garage.  They agreed with the Portage County Engineers Office that there are in fact 41.204 miles of roads in Suffield Township.  Fire Chief Bob Rasnick said that 2019 set a record for fire calls with 845.  In December the Fire Department responded to 72 calls for service and held five classes of continuing education. Rasnick also said that, due to some absolutely unnecessary information requests by the Boy Scouts of America, the Fire Fighters Explorer Post is going to sever all ties with the Boy Scouts of America.  The Post and all the good things that arise from it will continue.  Zoning Inspector Adam Bey noted that the trustees need to hold a public hearing to finalize the change of zoning status from "Industrial" to "Residential" on the property along State Route 43, across from the William "Ernie" Rufener farm.  The trustees have set the date for that hearing to be Tuesday February 11th at 6:30 PM, just before the regular trustee meeting.  Jeff Childers, chairman of the Tax Incentive Review Council, pointed out that longtime resident Paul Young has resigned from that Council and that the position needs to be filled.  The trustees appointed Bryon Wine to the post.  

The trustees meet again on Tuesday January 28th at 7:00 AM.  They will then meet again on Tuesday February 11th at 6:30 PM for a Zoning Hearing and at 7:00 PM the same evening for their regular meeting.  The Board of Zoning Appeals has a hearing and Re-Organizational Meeting set for Tuesday January 21st at 7:00 PM.  The Zoning Commission next meets on Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, Wednesday February 12th at 7:00 PM.  All these meetings are in the Community Room at 1256 Waterloo Road, and all are open to the public.

A couple other dates need to be mentioned.  On Sunday January 19th the Suffield Township Historical Society will conduct its annual business meeting at the Museum at 4:00 PM.  The Museum will be open to interested parties from 2:15 to 3:45 PM that same day.  The Historical Society in conjunction with the Suffield League and the Suffield Lions will hold its first annual Chili Cook Off on Saturday February 8th at Lions Park,  Admission to the "all you can eat" event is $5.00 and doors open at 6:00 PM.  There will be a cash bar featuring beer, pop and water operated by the Suffield Lions Club.  Questions can be directed to Sally Kreiner at 330-628-1580.  And the Suffield League will have its annual Laugh at the Lake dinner and comedy show on Saturday March 7th.  Doors at Paradise Lake Country Club will open at 6:00 PM.