Franklin Township Trustees

Date: 4/28/2026

Format: In-person

Summary:

PUBLIC COMMENT

A Walnut Road resident expressed his thanks for the tree planted in Chase Park in honor of his mother. He also proposed installing at least one disc golf basket in both Chase and Phillips Park, using grant money provided by the Northeast Ohio Disc Golf Alliance. He also proposed that additional fundraising could expand each course to include multiple baskets. He will return to the next meeting to demonstrate with a visual presentation what he would like to do.

A Sylvan resident came to inform the trustees of a section of West Lake Blvd. that is crumbling and needs attention. Mr. Akerley responded that the road is scheduled for resurfacing.

A Rhodes Road resident spoke about several potholes on Crystal and Court Streets. Mr. Akerley responded that Court Street is scheduled for resurfacing this year.

Two residents of the Germain Reserve spoke to the trustees with concerns about the lack of land preparation and follow-through with the developer. The residents have already spent thousands of dollars taking down uprooted, dead, and dying trees, with more to come. The developer also did not plant trees in the tree lawns. Both men asserted that the township and the county bear some responsibility for the situation, for failing to monitor the developer’s progress, and should help rectify it. Mr. Swan responded that it is not the township’s responsibility to beautify neighborhoods, nor to fix what the developer has not done. Mrs. Kapusta explained that after the development was complete, the township became responsible for road maintenance but not for property maintenance. The trustees suggested that the HOA encourage property owners to work together for the common good and, if necessary, retain new counsel and/or management for the HOA.

A Brady Lake area resident issued another complaint about parking off the roadway now that fishing season has begun; when he calls the sheriff’s office, no deputy comes out. Mrs. Kapusta suggested that when residents call the office, they should inform dispatch that the area is a signed, designated no-parking area and that citations should be issued whenever possible.

A township resident informed the trustees that criminal tree trimmers were operating in the Rhodes Rd/Horning Rd neighborhood and that some elderly residents were swindled.

ROAD, ZONING, AND FIRE REPORTS

Mr. Akerley reported that the crew has been slammed with brush chipping; the truck has been filled 40 times, and they are not yet done. He also reported that the spring cleanup was very successful, with six 40-yard dumpsters filled. He gave a special thank-you to Marilyn and Brian Sessions for providing lunch for the crew.

Zoning permits continue to be an issue,d and follow-ups on zoning violations are in progress.

Mr. Smith reported that the fire department received an alarm for a possible CO2 leak at Arby’s; it turned out to be a problem with the CO2 device for soda, and the issue was resolved.

OLD BUSINESS

A resolution authorizing the township administrator to file for an ODNR Natureworks grant was approved by a vote of all three trustees.

A resolution authorizing a settlement agreement drawn up by the county prosecutor’s office for $4,000 in the Ames litigation was approved by all three trustees.

NEW BUSINESS

A resolution authorizing the county prosecutor’s office to pursue contempt for violations with the owners of the property at 7448 ST RT 43 was approved by all three trustees. The issue is a junked car that has been in the driveway for more than three years.

At a hearing preceding the meeting, several amendments to the Franklin Township Zoning Resolution were reviewed, and minor changes to proposed language were made. A copy of the amendment proposal is on file at the town hall. The changes are summarized as follows:

1. Publishing zoning commission meetings online instead of the newspaper. Approved by a vote of all three trustees.
2. Publishing BZA minutes online instead of the newspaper. Approved by a vote of all three trustees.
3. Rotation of both zoning commission chairs every two years. Approved by a vote of all three trustees.
4. Rules for food trucks in the township were approved with the following additions/changes: “ the fee for permits will be $25 per event” and “each vendor must display a current, valid state of Ohio inspection certificate” by a vote of all three trustees.
5. A vote of all three trustees approved medical and recreational cannabis facilities.
6. A vote of all three trustees approved planned residential developments.
7. Data Centers was approved with the following change: “no more than one building in the township” was approved by a vote of all three trustees.

FINANCE REPORT

A vote of all three trustees approved payment of bills totaling $140,470.81.

Trustees Present: Kellie Kapusta, Glenn Russell, Scott Swan

Public Notice: Yes

Agenda: Yes

Minutes: Yes

Observer: Anne Reid