Welcome to Suffield Township

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!

June 18, 1970, a young Bob Dudley joined the Suffield Fire Department. Won't you join us in taking a full month to gratefully acknowledge 50 years of dedicated service to his neighbors and our entire community. Bob understands what it means to be a public servant. It would be mind numbing to think about the number of times sleep has been interrupted, family events delayed or canceled due to emergencies, and the uncountable hours of training this man has submitted to through these years. We are so honored to have a man of this caliber serving us, and through the years our members have harvested some of his wealth of knowledge. Bob, our hearty congratulations to you and ALL of Suffield Township sends our most sincere "Thank-You" for taking such good care of us for such a long time.

Sadly, There Will Be No Memorial Day Parade, however....

As most of you know, the annual Suffield League Memorial Day Parade has been canceled this year.  The Suffield League did undertake a very successful drive to raise money for the replacement of the flags that line the downtown area.  Thanks to all that donated to the cause, and special thanks go out to the volunteers that replaced the flag pole hardware and put up the new flags.

On Memorial Day, Monday May 25th at 11:00 AM

 

The Catholic War Veterans along with the Suffield League and Suffield Township Trustees will hold a flag raising ceremony 11 o'clock sharp.  May everyone enjoy a nice and safe Memorial Day holiday.

 

Pete Einloth putting up flags on Waterloo Road

 

Tom Calcei adjusting new flag along Waterloo Road.

 

Township officials (left to right):  Tom Calcei, Chief Bob Rasnick, Lori Calcei, Jeff Eldreth, Jared Phillip & Pete Einloth.

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday May 12th, and thanks to Shannon Eldreth the meeting was available to the public through the wonders of the internet and Facebook in particular. 

Fiscal Officer Lori Calcei said that the Bureau of Workers Compensation returned the township's entire $19,000 premium that was billed and paid for in 2018.   The BWC had generated an excess of funds and was returning money to the communities that had paid into the system.  Calcei also said that with the Covid-19 situation and related fiscal matters, she will be monitoring the gas tax revenues and Local Government Fund allocations, both of which will generally affect the 2021 fiscal budget.  Fire Chief Bob Rasnick reported that the Fire Department had participated in 58 calls in April.  This is approximately the same number of calls for service as this time last year.  Rasnick said that the fire fighters had been doing training online.  He also asked that the trustees hire Kasey Beaver.  She will be required to serve the normal one year probationary period.  Trustee Tom Calcei motioned that Beaver be hired.  The trustees voted 3-0 to hire Kasey Beaver.

Tom Calcei also mentioned that the Suffield League's campaign to raise money for new flags to be used in the downtown area was a huge success.  The Suffield League has ordered 200 flags and some new mounting hardware, and hope to have these new flags in place by Memorial Day.   He also confirmed that the Memorial Day parade will not be held  this year.  Trustee Jared Phillip said he had received a noise complaint caused by dirt bikes being operated along Etter Road.  After some discussion, it was decided to table the complaint.

The Zoning Inspector said that the Portage County Land Bank has implied that the Land Bank will likely demolish the derelict property at 2412 Sunnybrook Road by the end of this year.  The cost will be borne by the Land Bank.  The Zoning Inspector also said that the old West Country Club property, of which about nine acres is in Suffield Township, is moving forward and that some zoning moves will need to take place.  He said that the Zoning Commission will take up this matter at their next meeting, which is Wednesday May 13th.  The Zoning Inspector also said that the "food truck" issue will be discussed at the Zoning Commission meeting.  This concerns a man who has been operating a food truck at the Double D Plaza without the benefit of a permit. 

The next trustee meeting will be Tuesday May 26th at 7:00 AM.  The Zoning Commission next meets on Wednesday May 13th at 7:00 PM.  There are no Board of Zoning Appeals meetings scheduled.  

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. 

Governor Michael DeWine has announced that the re-start of businesses throughout the State of Ohio will begin shortly.  Trustee Tom Calcei brought forward the below listed program that may be of assistance to local Portage County businesses.

PORTAGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

COVID-19 RE-START

Assistance Loan Program

In an effort to assist those businesses preparing to re-start their business after the government mandated shutdown, the Portage County Commissioners are offering working capital loans to assist small businesses re-start operations.

These loans are 24-month amortized repayment period at an interest rate of 2% with an initial 3-month deferral of principal and interest.

Loan Criteria:

1. Taxes must be current through 3/31/20
2. Borrower must be able to demonstrate, based on the previous 2 years tax returns or financial statements, that payments can be made at a minimum DSC of 1:1.
3. Borrower must provide a detailed description of the use of funds.
4. Minimum of 1 LMI Job Retained (Business owner does not qualify)
5. Collateral will be a UCC filing on all business assets, or for longer terms, Real Estate.
6. Personal Guarantees of all owners with more than 20% ownership are required.

Businesses will be eligible for up to $10,000 in Economic Development Revolving Loan Funds for working capital to restart their businesses.

Interested businesses should contact:

Jen Davis                                                                                                                                

Jim

In an effort to assist those businesses preparing to re-start their business after the government mandated shutdown, the Portage County Commissioners are offering working capital loans to assist small businesses re-start operations.

These loans are 24-month amortized repayment period at an interest rate of 2% with an initial 3-month deferral of principal and interest.

Loan Criteria:

1. Taxes must be current through 3/31/20
2. Borrower must be able to demonstrate, based on the previous 2 years tax returns or financial statements, that payments can be made at a minimum DSC of 1:1.
3. Borrower must provide a detailed description of the use of funds.
4. Minimum of 1 LMI Job Retained (Business owner does not qualify)
5. Collateral will be a UCC filing on all business assets, or for longer terms, Real Estate.
6. Personal Guarantees of all owners with more than 20% ownership are required.

Businesses will be eligible for up to $10,000 in Economic Development Revolving Loan Funds for working capital to restart their businesses.

Interested businesses should contact:

Jen

Shank

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                                                                                                                            

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(330) 671-0540                                                                                                          

(330) 389-9480

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday April 28th in a meeting that was closed to the public.  However, life goes on and so will the trustee meetings and accompanying business of government.  The trustees opened the road material bids, the three that were submitted.  LaFarge-Great Lakes was the prevailing bidder for slag materials, while the Henry Luli Construction Company earned the township's chip & seal business. According to trustee chairman Jeff Eldreth, the Road Department will begin road patching next week.  Eldreth also asked for a purchase order in the amount of $18,500 to start the new hoop building salt barn project.  The purchase order was made out to 83 Construction Company of Millersburg, Ohio.  Eldreth also acknowledged that the annual Township Clean Up Day, held in coordination with Portage County Solid Waste Management District has been canceled for 2020.  They hope to have a county clean-up day in 2021.

Trustee Tom Calcei said that he had received a complaint of someone operating a non-conforming mower repair business out a house on Griggy Road.  Zoning Inspector Adam Bey was tasked with the job of checking out this complaint.  Bey said that the Testa Companies were ready to start working on the project at the old West Country Club.  Some discussion was had on the immediate future of Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings.  The trustees appear to be of the mindset to either hold these meetings by using social distancing, or holding the meetings, while still closed to the public, by streaming them live over the internet.  No final decision was achieved.  There was some shallow discussion on the subject of "food trucks" operating in the township.  Food trucks are not currently addressed in the Zoning Resolutions.  The matter arose when a food truck was seen operating at the Double D Plaza.  It was suggested that the Zoning Commission look into the matter.

Tom Calcei said that the Suffield League Memorial Day Parade has been officially canceled for 2020.  He proudly acknowledged the generosity of the Suffield Township community in donating approximately $4,800 in the first 48 hours of the drive to raise money for new American flags that are used in the downtown area.  The goal for buying new flags was $3,800.  Extra flags will be purchased with the additional funds.

The trustees next meet on Tuesday May 12th at 8:00 PM in the Suffield Community Room at 1256 Waterloo Road.  The Zoning Commission is scheduled for a 7:00 PM meeting on Wednesday May 13th, also in the Community Room.  No Board of Zoning Appeals hearing have been announced.