Marlboro officer resigns for Alliance role

At the Feb. 2 meeting of the Marlboro Township Board of Trustees, Police Chief Ron Devies read a letter of resignation from full-time Officer Travis Sheese, whose last day will be Friday, Feb. 13. Sheese is taking a position with the city of Alliance. Devies recommended approval, stating he hated to see him go. Trustees approved a motion to accept the resignation effective Feb. 13.

Devies requested trustee approval and signatures on the annual renewal of the Agreement for Use of the Stark County Law Enforcement Training Facility. Trustees approved the agreement for the term Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026.

Devies said he will attend Intoxilyzer training. Sgt. Kelly and Capt. Faudree have already completed the training.

In January, the Police Department handled 82 calls, including 20 traffic citations, patrolled 8,633 miles and used 544.1 gallons of gas. The department’s phone system has transitioned to RingCentral.

Assistant Fire Chief Hal Lehman of the Marlboro Township Volunteer Fire Co. reported that in January the department responded to 50 runs, including 18 emergency medical service transports, 17 EMS refusals, seven motor vehicle accidents, two fires, one tree or wire down, three canceled en route, three odor or leak calls, one open burn, two assists to other EMS agencies, one no incident and one public assist. Fiscal Officer Tracy Ferrett congratulated Lehman on his promotion to assistant fire chief.

The Fire Department switched to the MARCS/800 radio system from the 400 system in mid-January and is simulcasting on both bands until additional radios arrive.

Lehman said University Hospitals protocol now requires a skills checkoff sheet based on certification levels, to be completed by Oct. 31, 2026. The Fire Department will hold training courses twice a month on Tuesdays and invited the Police Department to participate. Devies said officers will attend. The departments also will train together for ice water rescue.

Lehman also offered safety guidance on space heaters, advising they be kept 3 feet away from combustible materials, plugged directly into an outlet without extension cords, and equipped with safety features such as automatic shutoff if tipped over.

Road Superintendent A.J. Battershell reported the department has been busy plowing snow and recently received the final two loads of salt ordered for the season. He thanked trustees and community members for assistance during recent snowstorms. Trustees thanked the road department for its work.

Battershell said the Freightliner’s water pump and blower motor failed within a day of each other, and RB Truck & Trailer Service in East Canton returned the truck to service quickly. He also priced a wing kit for the F-550 truck plow at an estimated $1,100–$1,200 plus freight. Trustees clarified the wings would be used on the smaller truck for cul-de-sacs and corners to carry snow more efficiently.

Ferrett reported Form W-2s were distributed to employees Jan. 30. She noted a new federal tax deduction for overtime pay beginning with the 2025 tax year. Although not required to include it on 2025 W-2 forms, she calculated and added “OT PREM” in Box 14 to reflect the overtime premium, which may be subtracted from income on federal returns.

Devies said seven M14 rifles will be returned to the state. The Campbell Police Department will pick up six, and one will go back to the state.

Zoning Inspector Marty Joseph reported two building permits issued year to date, one for an accessory building on Pinedale Street and one for an addition on St. Peters Church Road. A couple of land splits are pending approval.

Trustees passed a resolution to pay bills totaling $50,337.99.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2, at 7 p.m. at the Marlboro Township Hall.