Date of Meeting: 10/14/2025
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dennis Campbell, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, provided information to the board about the agency and its services. He described the chamber's goal as connecting with local businesses, supporting them through advocacy, connecting them to resources, and engaging with the community as a whole. Currently, 353 businesses are members. Mr. Russell stated that he is supportive of the chamber and recommended that the township become a member and highlight this information on its website. All three trustees voted to approve the township's membership.
Detective DeSerio reported on calls for service for September, including, but not limited to, thefts, suspicious persons and circumstances, domestic situations, assists to other agencies, premises checks, parking violations, and other incidents. He also noted that patrols have been sent to the Germaine Reserve area due to repeated parking violations in the cul-de-sacs. Some owners have been warned about this parking, and others have been cited. The total number of calls was 353.
A Germaine Reserve resident expressed gratitude for the Sheriff's Office’s efforts.
ROAD AND ZONING REPORTS
Mr. Akerley reported that there is a large number of leaves piled in the road at Beachwood Island. This poses a road hazard and, as such, is a criminal offense. Mr. Akerley will contact the association president to request that residents keep their leaves off the road and also refrain from piling brush that is outside the township's chipper's scope.
A resolution authorizing 6543 Park Avenue as a nuisance and providing for abatement was approved by all three trustees.
OLD BUSINESS
Due to the non-response from one of the parcel owners at 6th and Ohio, drainage repair work cannot proceed. Mrs. Kapusta will contact the resident directly soon so that the project can be completed before the weather prohibits the work.
Mrs. Kapusta provided a draft of the fall newsletter, and some suggestions were made about additions, including information about the Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partnership and a summary of Representative Workman’s presentation.
Mr. Russell stated that Chris Meduri at the prosecutor’s office is looking into the matter of S. Pleasant Street parking.
A meeting to discuss the Connecting Communities Project took place on October 16 at 9:00 am between officials of the township, the City of Kent, and the Portage County Engineer’s office.
There was a discussion about the contract between the participating partners and who should be responsible for snow removal in front of businesses in the project area. The trustees agreed that the township will take that responsibility.
CORRESPONDENCE
A township resident has contacted the trustees with concerns about excessive noise. Although the township does address what constitutes excessive noise by decibel, there is no way to measure the sounds. The sheriff’s department recommends that complaints be best handled by residents talking to each other. The trustees will ask Ms. August to look into possible solutions proposed by the Ohio Township Association.
FINANCES
A vote of all three trustees approved payment of bills totaling $156,084.04.
The members of the board/council were present: Kellie Kapusta, Glenn Russell, 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