Date of Meeting: 1/9/2024
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kent Fire Chief Jamie Samuels attended the meeting to seek the support of the trustees to support an application for a grant to fund additional turnout gear for Kent firefighters for a total of $15,000 from the Ohio Department of Commerce; this would allow the city to purchase three sets of gear. All trustees support the application and wish the city well in its endeavors.
Portage County Sheriff Department Detective Captain Lew Finsen attended the meeting to report on call statistics for the township in December. A total of 259 calls for service within the township included but were not limited to theft, suspicious circumstances, 911 assistance to the rescue squad, welfare checks, stolen vehicles, shoplifting, traffic stops, and domestic situations.
ROAD, ZONING AND FIRE REPORTS
A letter of thanks was read into the record regarding extensive culvert and catch basin work performed by the road department on a residence on Walnut Road.
Mr. Ciccozzi reported on an incident at a residence on Spell Road where new owners of a home discovered two junk cars belonging to the former resident, who declined to remove them. It was determined that the current property owner must take responsibility for the costs of removing them.
Mr. Smith reported that an alarm sounded at Le Terraza due to a badly leaking ceiling that filled the alarm panel with water. He warned the management that there must be a fire watch until the alarm system can be repaired.
OLD BUSINESS
There has been a meeting between township officials and representatives of the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities to discuss improvements to be made at Brady Lake Park after the Board has applied for and received a grant. Improvements will include a paved walking path around the park, installation of a new piece of accessible play equipment, paved corn hole courts, dugouts, and, in the near future, pickleball courts. The township trustees will support this in any way possible.
NEW BUSINESS
A number of resolutions were approved, including the reappointment of Shawn Martin as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the appointment of Judy Spenser as a member of the Zoning Commission for a two-year term, and the nomination of Joe Ciccozzi—with Jenny August as alternate—to the Portage County Regional Planning Committee for a two-year term. All resolutions were moved and approved by all three trustees.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Swan reported on a call from a resident of Crescent Lane concerning someone living in a trailer next to her residence; this is being investigated.
FINANCE REPORT
All three trustees approved payment of bills totaling $242,406.23.
The regular session was suspended for a personnel discussion. After the regular session was reinstated, Mr. Russell asked if there was a motion to reappoint Mekal Banyasz to the township zoning commission; no motion was made.
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