Franklin Township Trustees
Date: 7/14/2026
Format: In-person
Summary:
The Trustees opened seven bids for the 2026 paving program. They will be turned over to the county engineer’s office for review and then to the prosecutor’s office for certification.
PUBLIC COMMENT
A Tower Street resident and member of the Captain Brady Day committee provided an update on the upcoming festival. He also asked for assistance with road closures needed for a 20-minute parade, including Brady Lake, Merrill, and Lakeview. Also, the park will be closed for the duration of the event. Detective DeSerio commented that a detail from the department would probably be necessary to help close Brady Lake Road due to the high volume of traffic. Mr. Russell moved to have four Franklin Township Road Crew employees on site for a total of four hours to help with the road closure, as needed, at the township's expense. The two trustees present voted yes.
A local attorney speaking for a North Blvd. property owner asked for an update on access to the property, as the owner is again requesting access and a culvert to be reinstalled.
Opinions issued by the engineer’s and prosecutor’s offices have changed based on updated information since the issue was last addressed. All information has been forwarded to the prosecutor’s and the county engineer’s office, and the trustees are waiting for feedback from these offices. Both trustees agreed that further communication about this issue should be between the attorney and the prosecutor’s office.
A Brady Lake area resident again shared concerns about kids on all kinds of motorbikes in the area, frequently ridden without safety gear and with no display of license or registration. Detective DeSerio said the Ohio Revised Code has no provisions for restrictions based on age or safety gear, though riders must obey speed and other traffic laws and be sober.
A West Shore Dr. resident asked for an update on ditch work across from her property. Mr. Russell said the project is major. The work will involve not only ditch work but will also include cutting up the road. It is on the list of work to be done.
A Ph.D. candidate from Kent State addressed the trustees with a proposal to study the water and shoreline of Lake Brady as part of a study of the lake's aquatic quality. He asked for permission to fly a nine-foot drone over the lake a few times over the next three months. All photos would be taken on the shoreline. He will also use a boat to take water samples. Both trustees present accepted a motion to approve the project pending legal approval.
Detective DeSerio reported on calls for service in June 2026. A total of 378 calls were answered, including theft, domestic disturbances, suspicious persons and vehicles, animal complaints, assists to other agencies, and other issues. He also addressed residents' concerns about fireworks being set off. The State of Ohio allows personal use of fireworks, although both Franklin Township and Kent do not. The detective asked that the sheriff’s office receive a copy of the resolution so it can enforce violations.
ZONING AND FIRE REPORTS
Mr. Ciccozzi is in contact with Asst. Prosecutor James Armstrong, seeking clarification in the code language that allows the zoning inspector to observe properties from public land and waters to gather evidence of zoning violations.
Mr. Smith reported on area fiber optic cable installation and multiple hits to gas and other lines in neighboring communities. One was hit in the township on Fifth Ave. He stated that the township and he specifically have not been notified of this hit. There is no information about anything the contractor is doing related to marking of utility lines. Mr. Swan has been seeking information about protocols from the cable companies and has not been able to get answers, but he will keep at it.
Official Road, Zoning, and Fire reports are on file at town hall as part of the official record.
OLD BUSINESS
The employee handbook meetings will be tabled until Mrs. Kapusta returns.
Mr. Swan will proceed with getting the new website produced.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Swan addressed communication he has had with the county engineer’s office regarding emergency after-hours protocols. He shared concerns that dispatch was calling the road superintendent during emergencies when the problem is on a county, not township, road.
During some of these instances, the crew has been sent out to close a road or remove a tree on power lines when safety is in question. The county engineer is researching the issue.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Russell received a complaint from a Beechwood Circle resident about sticks and brush not being picked up. He drove the area during chipping time in June and found no debris, but debris is now present after pickup time. We agreed to clarify on the website that residents must place their brush correctly at the curb no later than 6:30 am on the Monday of the first week of April, June, August, and October. It should also clearly state that only major storms would warrant the crew making rounds for clean-up, and that no professional or contracted landscaping debris would be collected.
Two catch basins need attention at Merrill Road and Beechwood.
Mr. Russell received communication regarding flooding at the stop sign at Sixth and Ohio.
Three property owners need to grant permission for the township to access their properties to fix the problem; two have done so, and the third refuses. The township is still seeking a resolution.
FINANCES
Mrs. Russell reported that Balestra and Associates completed the independent audit of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and we await the report.
The trustees approved a resolution authorizing the trustees to assess residents for brush and leaf recycling by a vote of both trustees present.
Both trustees present approved payment of bills totaling $77,321.78.
Trustees Present: Glenn Russell, Scott Swan
Absent: Kellie Kapusta
Public Notice: Yes
Agenda: Yes
Minutes: Yes
Observer: Anne Reid