Marlboro leaders thank voters for strong police levy support

Police Chief Ron Devies thanked the Marlboro Township voters for the overwhelming affirmation of the police department with more than a 2-to-1 approval of the police levy. He reaffirmed their commitment to do the best they can, whenever they can, to help anyone who needs help in the township. Trustee John Battershell also thanked the community for supporting the police department. It was needed and they will continue their services and maybe add more manpower. Battershell reminded everyone that the revenue from this levy would start being received in 2027, so the department would need to continue to be frugal until then. Trustee Wayne Schillig thanked the voters for their overwhelming support of the police levy and thanked Battershell and the Marlboro Township Police Levy Committee for a job well done. Schillig congratulated Battershell and Trustee Ken Eddleman for being re-elected as trustees for another four years and stated he looks forward to serving the next two years with them.

Devies reported the following regarding the two explosions heard recently and reported by several residents. The department obtained images from a Ring doorbell camera facing south in the 6700 block of Edison Street from one of the nights when an explosion had been heard. It showed a flame column and a mushroom cloud and shook homes and windows, but no crater was located. It was determined to be south of 619 and west of State Route 44, but they are not sure if it was in Marlboro Township. The cause has not been determined, so Devies instructed Investigator Samaniego to contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for assistance.

Fiscal Officer Tracy Ferrett reminded trustees that, according to Matt DiRuzza at Sirak Financial, AultCare is willing to reduce the 2026 medical premium renewal from 12.64% to 9%. AultCare will send an updated renewal letter if trustees accept it. The township is paying about $8,900 a month for 2025 and the total with a 9% increase would be about $9,650 a month for 2026. Eddleman reported that he ran numbers on the insurance plan received from Stark County School Council of Governments (COG). This plan is the one used by Nimishillen Township but only includes single or employee plus family coverage with no employee plus spouse or employee plus child option. The single coverage would cost $16,700 more per year per employee than AultCare’s 12.64% renewal. With AultCare reducing the increase to 9%, it will be even less expensive to stay with AultCare. The trustees passed a resolution to remain with the AultCare 5000B Group Health Plan with a premium increase of 9% and including the supplemental AmFirst Premium Saver Plan with no premium increase for the period Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026.

Ferrett gave a follow-up to her report last meeting regarding the street lighting fixtures on the Marlboro District Ohio Edison bill. Ferrett reported that Amy Hopkins at FirstEnergy confirmed that the township had been charged for six mercury vapor/sodium vapor (MV/SV) lights that should not have been on the bill. Hopkins said she sent a memo to have the six lights removed from billing and to provide a backdated credit beginning July 2024.

The township received an email from Jon Oates at the Stark County Auditor’s Office requesting that the trustees pass the annual resolution “Accepting the Amounts and Rates as Determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and Certifying Them to the County Auditor” for 2026. The trustees approved a motion to adopt that resolution for the fiscal year commencing Jan. 1, 2026.

Ferrett also recommended a supplemental appropriation for the Drug Law Enforcement Fund in the amount of $3,979.73. According to Devies, this fund can be used toward the purchase of the intoximeter package, which will reduce the amount paid from the Police District Fund. She also suggested that this invoice be submitted for reimbursement under either the Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority (OTARMA) MORE Grant or a police grant, both of which can give $1,000 each. The trustees approved a motion to approve a supplemental appropriation for the Drug Law Enforcement Fund in the amount of $3,979.73 to be used toward the purchase of the intoximeter package from Intoximeters Inc. Devies stated that all of the operators will need to be re-trained on the new intoximeters, which have been mandated by the Ohio Department of Health.

Captain Hal Lehman from the Marlboro Township Fire Company reported that, in October 2025, there were 54 runs including 22 emergency medical service (EMS) transports, 16 EMS refusals, nine motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), five smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, three fires (two were mutual aid, one township), three trees/wires down, two open burns, two cancelled en route, two searches, one dive team activation, one animal rescue and one public assist.

The Fire Department participated in numerous October events including Fire Safety Education Day on Oct. 2 at Marlboro Elementary School, EMS standby at the Oct. 10 and 24 Marlington High School football games, a Fire Department open house on Oct. 12, trick-or-treat on Oct. 29 and active shooter training at Waterloo High School and trick-or-treat at Marlboro Elementary School on Oct. 31. Devies reported that two officers also participated in the active shooter training at Waterloo High School, and the department had seven vehicles out for trick-or-treat.

The Fire Department recently obtained a Polaris side-by-side with Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) grant money, as well as donations, with no cost to the department budget. It is in service and street legal, with training being provided to ensure responsible driving. Battershell asked about the return of the gator to the township. Lehman responded that it would probably be in the next two to three weeks once everyone is trained on driving the side-by-side.

The Fire Department reminded residents to change batteries in smoke detectors with the time change. If someone does not have a smoke detector, they can contact the station to receive one from the Ohio Fire Marshal’s S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms For Everyone) Program, a state initiative to provide free smoke alarms. Lehman also reminded everyone, since it is getting dark earlier, to please have address signs visible on mailboxes, driveways or on the house. The Fire Department sells two-sided reflective signs at the station for $20.

Devies stated that two of the older cars, including the chief’s Durango and one of the Ford Explorers, were not pre-wired for the mobile data terminals (MDTs). Air cards and mini routers have not worked long term. In-car routers will be needed at an estimated cost of $1,200 and Devies is hoping to pay for them out of the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. Devies added to the police report stating that in October 2025 there were 120 calls with 19 citations and no criminal arrests with 8,532 miles driven and 527.7 gallons of gas used.

Road Superintendent A.J. Battershell reported the department has been busy finishing roadside mowing and putting in some pipe. They are planning to take down the veterans banners.

The trustees discussed selling the township John Deere 6320 tractor and boom mower. The trustees approved a motion to advertise it and set the minimum bid to sell it at $41,500.

Battershell also reported that trustees will be seeking applications for a seasonal road department employee to help with snow removal. If anyone reading this is interested, they can contact the trustees or the Road Department. He requested that this also be included on the Facebook page. Ferrett offered to include it on Indeed.com.

Eddleman reported that the Veterans Wish Tags and flyers are available to local businesses and organizations and he added that Lost Trail Winery took six tags. He will include information about it on the township hall sign.

Schillig was contacted by a resident on Allen Drive regarding the hazard when pulling out of her driveway due to a hill and sharp curve on the approach. The trustees agreed that at least one “Hidden Drive” sign is needed on the side coming from the east and asked A.J. Battershell to order two in case another one is needed.

Ferrett stated she would forward trustees and department heads a list of the prior year Taylor Fund payouts to review and update for the current year. The payouts are usually made in the first meeting in December.

The trustees approved a motion to pay bills in the amount of $50,071.98.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Marlboro Township Hall.