Marlboro Township trustees reorganize, set leadership for 2026

Trustees John Battershell, Ken Eddleman and Wayne Schillig, along with Fiscal Officer Tracy Ferrett, were in attendance for the reorganizational meeting, held at the Marlboro Township Hall, 7344 Edison St. NE, Hartville.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Ferrett administered the oath of office to re-elected trustees Battershell and Eddleman for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Trustees approved several resolutions, all retroactive to Jan. 1. Schillig was elected president for 2026, and Eddleman was elected vice president.

The trustees approved motions establishing regular meetings every other Monday beginning Jan. 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the township hall, unless otherwise noted. The fiscal officer was authorized to purchase forms and supplies as needed, issue blanket certificates and purchase orders, and transfer monies within a fund as necessary for payments. The road department was authorized to repair roads and equipment and purchase items and supplies as needed. The fiscal officer was authorized to pay expenses for required educational training for township officials. The fiscal officer and Administrative Assistant Linda Marx were authorized to prepare legal advertisements and public notices. Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals personnel will be paid $25 for mileage and expenses for initial public meetings.

Additional motions approved included reimbursement of township employees for business mileage outside the township at a rate of 72.5 cents per mile when a township vehicle is not available. Only township employees are permitted to ride in or operate township vehicles or equipment unless authorized by the board, with the exception of prisoner transport and goodwill transports by the police department.

The fiscal officer was authorized to request an advance on tax monies collected from 2026 real estate property taxes from the Stark County auditor’s office. The road superintendent and full-time truck driver/laborer will receive uniform allowances of $400 per year. Police uniform allowances were approved as follows: chief of police and full-time captain, sergeants and officers, $1,000 per year; part-time sergeants and officers, $400 per year; and auxiliary officers, $300 per year after one year of service.

Township trustees will be paid by annual salary in equal monthly installments in accordance with Ohio Revised Code. Salaries are based on the township budget and limited to a daily rate of 200 days annually.

Trustees reappointed Andrew “A.J.” Battershell as full-time road superintendent; Tristan Francis as full-time truck driver/laborer; Ronald Devies as full-time chief of police; William Faudree as full-time captain; Greg Kelly as part-time sergeant; Chloe Martincic, Rudolph Samaniego, Christopher Sheese and Travis Sheese as full-time officers; Michael Pozonitz and Jamey Sanders as part-time officers; and Robert Dortch and Chris Hay as auxiliary officers. Mikayla Spangenberg was reappointed as a cadet.

Trustees approved continuation of the incentive program for hourly police officers, which includes additional hourly pay for specialized training and certifications. Officers will receive incentives upon submission of certification documentation and may qualify for a new incentive once every six months.

Marx was reappointed as full-time administrative assistant and assistant zoning inspector. Marty Joseph was reappointed as zoning inspector. Jim Ringer was reappointed for seasonal snow removal from Nov. 1 through April 30. Nathan Anderson and Kyle Devies were reappointed as network administrators. Eddleman was reappointed as the Stark Council of Governments representative, with Battershell as alternate.

Trustees approved temporary appropriations for 2026 totaling $2,822,365.33.

Additional motions approved allow employees to carry over up to five days, or 40 hours, of unused vacation to the next fiscal year. The township will continue to offer health insurance benefits to township officers and full-time employees and their immediate dependents, with certain eligibility restrictions. As of Jan. 1, Marlboro Township will reimburse supplemental insurance premiums for full-time employees’ spouses who are retired and not employed full time.

Trustees clarified sections of the employee handbook regarding overtime, vacation accrual and holidays. Overtime will be paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate for hours worked in excess of 40 per week. New employees may use accrued vacation after one year of service. Juneteenth was added as a paid holiday.

The meeting concluded following the completion of organizational business.