Date of Meeting: 1/10/2023
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
PUBLIC COMMENT
Detective DeSerio from the Portage County Sheriff's Office reported that in the month of December, the office took 228 calls for service in Franklin Township. Among the calls for assistance were: accidents, alarms, assistance to other agencies, downed trees on the road, criminal trespass and damage, domestic situations, welfare checks, and traffic stops.
ZONING REPORT
There was a discussion about a sign application for Flash Vapes, a new business in the Acme Plaza. The discussion centered around some of the products that will be available that mimic controlled substances and whether or not they are regulated.
FIRE REPORT
Mr. Smith reported that in 2022 a total of 5, 637 calls for assistance were answered by the City of Kent Fire Department. Of these calls, 831 were from Franklin Township for a total of 14% of the calls.
ROAD REPORT
Mr. Ackerley reported that the new truck purchased last year and outfitted by Zoresco is again back with them due to malfunctions. After repairs are complete, it will be sent to a different business to be fitted with a plow. There was also a discussion about resurfacing Sixth Avenue and Ohio Street; the county engineer's office will begin preparing an estimate and bid packet for the project to take place after the completion of the Hudson Road project.
This will likely begin in 2024. Also, trustees moved and approved moving forward with repairs to the skid steer loader at the cost of $6,808.60.
OLD BUSINESS
The trustees moved and approved the purchase of a new photocopier priced at $4,488, with Mr. Russell abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS
The following resolutions were moved and approved by all three trustees:
- Dave Hansford was reappointed to a five-year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Beth Geist was reappointed to a five-year term on the Zoning Commission
- The county prosecutor is authorized to pursue contempt charges for 5738 Caranor Drive and 2272 Hissom Lane.
- An alternative formula for the distribution of Local Government Funds for a period of ten years as proposed by the Office of the Budget Commission was authorized.
Also discussed was a request made by a council member of the Village of Sugar Bush Knolls for monthly use of the town hall for village council meetings. There was also a discussion of shared services between the village and the township.
A new liquor permit request was received on behalf of Wild Papaya Thai Cuisine. The trustees agreed that no hearing request would be required.
FINANCES
All three trustees approved the payment of bills totaling $148,209.32. Also, the trustees support pursuing possible Ohio Division of Natural Resources grants to assist with the installation of pickleball courts and possibly lacross backstop walls at Phillips Park and with Chase Park boardwalk replacement over the next few years.
Which members of the board/council were present: Glenn Russell, Kellie Kapusta, Scott Swan
Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes
Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes
Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes
https://www.franklintownshipohio.org/minutes
Name of Observer: Anne Reid