Trustee Ken Eddleman announced that, at the end of August, the township will lose a very dedicated employee. Road Superintendent Rick Bergert will be retiring.
“In my 16 years as a trustee, I’ve never had to worry about whether Rick would pick up the phone, overspend, and not put the interest of the township first,” Eddleman said.
He presented Bergert with a plaque inscribed: “In grateful appreciation to Road Superintendent Rick Bergert for his dedication and service to the residents of Marlboro Township. Thirty-one years of maintaining township roads. August 2025.”
Trustee Wayne Schillig said Bergert started at Marlboro Township on May 15, 1999, after working for Washington Township for five years.
“These are the words I think of when I think of Rick: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent,” Schillig said. “This is the Scout Motto and even though Bergert was never a Boy Scout, all the boxes are checked when reviewing his service.”
Schillig added that A.J. and Tristan “have big shoes to fill” and thanked Bergert for everything.
Fiscal Officer Tracy Ferrett said, “It has been a pleasure working with Rick. He made my job very easy because he’s very conscientious, and he’s very good with budgets and tax-exempt forms.” She added that the township still has him for two more weeks and thanked him for his service.
Eddleman concluded by saying that Trustee John Battershell would echo all of these thoughts if he had been at the meeting. Pie and coffee were served to everyone after the meeting.
Budget discussion
Ferrett reported on a work session held with the road and police department heads to get input for the 2026 Alternative Tax Budget, which was due Aug. 20.
The Road Department noted a new truck would be needed in 2027, and Ferrett included $200,000 for it in 2026. If the truck is not purchased in 2026, it will be reappropriated in the 2027 budget.
Ferrett also said the Police Department budget will be tight in 2026. The replacement levy on the November 2025 election ballot, if approved, will not start until calendar year 2026 to be collected in 2027. Property tax receipts in 2026 will still be under the former levy.
For 2026, the police department will also have about $60,000 in dispatch fees and $10,000 for the Sundance records management system due to a necessary change in dispatch providers.
She recommended approval of the 2026 Alternative Tax Budget as presented with total estimated revenues of $2,416,406.80 and total estimated appropriations of $2,794,091. The trustees approved a resolution to submit the budget to the Stark County Auditor’s Office.
Opioid settlement
Ferrett also announced the receipt of an email regarding a new national opioid settlement reached with Purdue. Police Chief Ron Devies had previously recommended participating in any new settlements.
The trustees approved a motion to authorize Ferrett to sign and execute participation forms. The deadline to return the required documentation is Sept. 30, 2025.
Insurance coverage
The township received the invoice for the 2025-26 Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority (OTARMA) anniversary contribution for property/liability insurance in the amount of $29,347. Last year’s premium was $23,985.
Jim Zuccaro from Summit Insurance Agency explained the increase. He said Marlboro Township is among more than 1,000 Ohio townships that self-insure on a group basis through OTARMA, which is sponsored and endorsed by the Ohio Township Association.
The increase this past year was due mostly to reinsurance. OTARMA is not large enough to fully fund claims from member contributions, and the previous loyalty credit of $1,900 was discontinued.
Zuccaro said Marlboro did not have significant increases in expenditures, vehicles, property or number of employees. He added that claims have improved significantly this year, which could help stabilize premiums in the future.
The trustees approved a motion to remain with OTARMA for 2025-26 with an anniversary contribution amount of $29,347, effective Sept. 12, 2025.
Road Department update
Road Superintendent successor A.J. Battershell reported the second round of roadside mowing has been completed. The department also worked on Preston Avenue to prepare it for resurfacing and chip-and-seal.
The Road Department received the last load of salt under the 2024-25 contract, and the salt shed is full. A.J. said everything is in place for the tractor order, with an expected delivery at the end of October.
Eddleman said he spoke with Jon Oates at the Stark County Auditor’s Office and all townships, including Marlboro, have received their NEXUS back payments. Marlboro will also see slightly larger monthly payments due to the court settlement.
Schillig asked Bergert if he could contact Don Troyer for work in cemetery preservation and restoration. He said he needs an estimated project cost to reset and level stones for possible cemetery grants for Saint Paul’s/Fox Cemetery.
Other business
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The trustees approved a motion to pay bills in the amount of $65,748.87.
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The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at the Marlboro Township Hall.
