Marlboro Township reviews police, fire and year-end updates

Christopher R. Hay was sworn in by Trustee Ken Eddleman as a probationary auxiliary patrol officer.

A resident asked Police Chief Ron Devies for an update on the status of the booms previously heard in the township. Devies said he worked with the Marlboro Fire Department and the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the sounds are believed to have been traced to a man in Massillon who was selling bombs on Marketplace. The man later died following an explosion in his garage.

Fiscal Officer Tracy Ferrett provided a follow-up to the previous meeting regarding street lighting fixtures. The township received letters from Ohio Edison stating credits will be issued for both the Marlboro and New Baltimore districts. For the Marlboro district, the period from March 19 to Nov. 17, 2025, was rebilled and a credit was received. Rebilled invoices for that same period for the New Baltimore district are expected. The total amount of the Marlboro Township credit is not yet known.

All full-time employees will receive their paid time off status reports with their pay, along with a memorandum noting available hours for sick and vacation leave conversion. Employees converting sick or vacation leave hours to cash on the next pay must sign the form and submit it with their next timesheet.

As part of year-end housekeeping items, Ferrett reminded department heads to submit requisitions and receipts to replenish petty cash funds and to ensure cash boxes are counted and reconciled. She also noted the township will need a list of Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals members and the meetings they attended in 2025 for mileage and expense payments. That information, along with employee timesheets and all 2025 invoices and requisitions, must be submitted for payment at the final regular meeting of the year.

Ferrett reported receiving the annual letter from Stark County Recorder Jamie Walters regarding the filing of zoning resolutions and amendments with the county recorder’s office. Copies were forwarded to the zoning inspector and assistant zoning inspector.

Devies reported that in November 2025, the Police Department responded to 117 calls, issued eight citations and made three criminal arrests. He noted that during the holiday season there are typically more OVI cases and reminded residents not to drink and drive.

Devies thanked the Road Department for shoveling sidewalks and plowing the parking lot at the township hall and noted a snowplow has been added to the recently received gator. He also said he plans to apply for a body armor grant through the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, which reimburses a percentage of the cost.

Fire Capt. Hal Lehman of the Marlboro Township Fire Department reported that in November 2025, the department completed 43 runs, including 21 emergency medical service transports, nine EMS refusals, three open burns, three canceled en route, two motor vehicle accidents, two odor or gas investigations, two alarms, one tree down, one assist to another EMS agency, one Police Department assist and one vehicle fire. The department has completed 553 runs year to date, surpassing the 529 total runs recorded in 2024.

Lehman said the Firefighters Association thanked the community for its generous donations to the family of Caleb Hagan during the Nov. 15 spaghetti fundraiser. He also thanked the Marlboro Historical Society for hosting Christmas on the Square.

Road Superintendent A.J. Battershell reported the department has completed four rounds of salting and one round of plowing. He said the department ran out of diesel fuel during recent winter weather events and suggested looking into purchasing a larger 500-gallon tank from McIntosh Oil. Battershell also asked whether the Police Department would need a larger 750-gallon tank, suggesting that if the Police Department received a new tank, the Road Department could use the department’s current 500-gallon tank. Battershell also forwarded a quote for a new plow to the trustees for review.

Trustee Wayne Schillig reported receiving complaints about a property on Marlboro Avenue NE. Schillig said he completed a Stark County Board of Health nuisance investigation complaint form but has not yet received a response. Trustee John Battershell said no one is living in the trailer on the property and noted the health department cannot enter the house. Devies added there are vehicles on the property without registrations.

The trustees approved payment of bills totaling $56,069.75.

The trustees entered executive session with the board and the road superintendent to consider employment matters. No action was taken.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Marlboro Township Hall and will include an organizational meeting followed by a regular meeting.