Marlboro Township approves new fire contract as emergency calls rise

At the Fire Department’s request, Marlboro Township trustees approved a change to the fire contract fiscal year, shifting it from May 1–April 30 to a calendar year running Jan. 1–Dec. 31. A new contract is required for 2026, and trustees approved the contract for fire, emergency medical and ambulance services with the Marlboro Township Fire Company for the period Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026.

Fiscal Officer Tracy Ferrett recommended amending the Dec. 22, 2025, resolution regarding the cash fund balance carried forward to 2026, citing additional financial activity after the last meeting. Trustees approved increasing the balance from $1,755,016.52 to $1,758,887.02.

Fire Department Capt. Hal Lehman thanked the trustees for approving the new contract and reported department activity for December 2025. The department completed 62 runs, including 28 emergency medical service transports, 11 EMS refusals, nine fires, eight motor vehicle accidents, three mutual-aid EMS calls from other departments, two EMS assists with other departments, two trees or wires down, two odor or alarm calls, two K-9 searches, one assist to the Police Department and one call canceled en route. That brought the department’s total to 615 runs for 2025, an increase of 86 runs, or 14 percent, over the 529 calls in 2024.

Trustees approved the reappointment of Sue Bugansky to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a 2026–2029 term and Tim Cognata to the Zoning Commission for a 2026–2029 term.

Road Superintendent A.J. Battershell reported the Road Department completed multiple rounds of salting and plowing, scrapped a V-plow and salt boxes for $312, used more than 600 gallons of fuel in December, trimmed trees and spread asphalt grindings on Preston Avenue. The department is awaiting delivery of a new, larger fuel tank. McIntosh Oil deliveries have continued without issue.

Battershell also reported a joystick controlling a truck hoist failed. The department reused an older joystick temporarily and ordered two new ones, noting both trucks use the same part.

Ferrett reported the township received a $2,500 reimbursement from the Stark–Tuscarawas–Wayne Host Community Cleanup Grant and additional thank-you notes from recipients of the 2025 Taylor Fund payouts, which were shared with trustees.

Trustees approved payment of bills totaling $42,576.45.

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