The Suffield Township Board of Trustees met before a crowd of nine residents on Tuesday April 12th. The trustees welcomed Portage County Commissioner candidate Ed Dean to speak on his primary election hopes. Dean is one of two Republicans seeking the seat that Vicki Kline is vacating at the end of her current term. Chief Bob Resnick said the Fire Department handled 69 calls for service in March. He asked the trustees to appoint Chelsea Pratt and Ian Tuel to the Fire Department roster. Tom Calcei motioned to take the two on in a probationary capacity, Both Jeff Eldreth and Jared Phillip voted in favor of the hiring.
John Yeargin brought up the issue of the recent barn fire at the Dussel Farm in Brimfield. All agreed that the barn was a local landmark, which will now be replaced with a metal structure. Tom Calcei said that this year's Easter Egg Hunt at Wingfoot Lake State Park was a big success with 220 children participating. Mike Student, park director, said that Wingfoot Lake State Park has drawn so many visitors and events that the State of Ohio is going to increase funding for the park. Tom Calcei also said that Captain Bob Dudley will be this year's Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal. Congratulations to Captain Dudley!
Zoning Inspector Adam Bey said that he has received complaints of free range chickens in Garner Estates, and a home-based engine repair service on Skylark Drive. He and trustee Jared Phillip are assisting the owner of Windy Acres Farm on State Route 43 to develop the property into a wedding center. Bey also said that the controversial trash service that was located at 1188 State Route 43 has moved out. It was unknown where Zehner Trash Service was moving to. Bey gave the year end zoning report. In 2021, there was $3,815,465 in new development in Suffield Township, which is about $500,000 less than in 2020. In 2020, there were nine new houses built in Suffield, but in 2021, only three new houses were built. Bey was surprised that were 12 more private pool permits issued in 2021.
Trustee Jeff Eldreth asked for and received a purchase order for $7,200 to pay for replacement of a under-road culvert on Shaffer Road. He also said that the chip and seal program plans for this year have not been finalized, but that Etter Road, Martin Road and Congress Lake Road will certainly make the list this year. They hope to chip and seal about seven miles of township maintained roads.
The trustees meet next on Tuesday April 26th at 7:00 AM. The Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday April 13th at 7:00 PM. There are likely to be two Board of Zoning Appeals hearings, but those dates have not yet been set.
