Marlboro Township voters approve police levy, return school board incumbents and pass liquor measures

At the general election held Tuesday, Nov. 4, the results for Marlboro Township were as follows:

The new replacement and increase tax levy for the Marlboro Township Police, Issue 20 on the ballot, passed handily by a vote of 917 to 443, a two-thirds majority. The Police Department thanks everyone who supported them. The support means very much to their officers and the community.

Since 1957, the Marlboro Township Police Department has served the community with pride and dedication, providing safety, security and emergency response for nearly 4,500 residents across 36.5 square miles. In the past year, unplanned expenses have added nearly $100,000 in annual costs. Much of that occurred when the previous long-term dispatch service closed and the new service costs increased by $59,000 annually, plus new radios and user fees were added to that cost. In addition, a new records system cost $20,000 up front with $9,000 in annual fees. The Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) access costs rose from $300 to $6,000 per year. Replacing a cruiser with lifesaving gear now costs $100,000. Officers also need body cams, medical supplies and updated technology. The present wages of Marlboro officers are among the lowest in Stark County. In 2024, three full-time officers left to join better-paying agencies.

This levy will maintain 24-hour, seven-day-per-week protection and fast emergency response. The department will be able to continue valued services such as vacation checks, medical first response and event security. This levy was not about expansion — it was about preserving the safety and services that Marlboro Township residents already rely on. The levy was a replacement of 4.5 mills of an existing levy and an increase of 0.5 mill. It is a five-year levy commencing in 2026, first due to be paid in 2027.

The Marlington Local School District also held an election to select three Board of Education members. Six people ran, within two main groups. The first group was composed of three current board members seeking reelection — Karen Humphries, Mark Ryan and Cathy Krupko — whose motto was “Keep Moving Marlington Forward.” The second group consisted of Steve Viscounte, Luke Cowles and Jim Hornyak, whose motto was “Citizens for Responsibility.”

Ryan garnered 2,155 votes, Krupko received 2,138 votes and Humphries was named on 2,070 ballots. Following these three were Viscounte with 1,515, Hornyak with 1,411 and Cowles with 1,313.

Also on the ballot for Marlboro Township was the election of two trustees. John Battershell and Ken Eddleman ran unopposed and garnered 1,033 and 922 votes, respectively.

There were three local liquor options on the ballot in Marlboro, two for Maize Valley Farm Market and one for Lost Trail Winery. All three were successfully approved.

For Maize Valley, located at 6193 Edison St., Hartville, Ohio 44632, the first was a special election by petition to allow the sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor as an applicant for an A-1-A liquor permit in Precinct 3. That passed by a 228 to 114 vote margin. The second was a similar petition for Sunday sales as a holder of an A-2 permit and an A-1-C permit and an applicant for an A-1-A liquor permit. That petition passed by a 211 to 132 vote margin.

In Precinct 1, Lost Trail Winery, located at 5228 State St. NE, Canton, Ohio 44721, had a local liquor option on the ballot that was approved by a 391 to 155 margin. The winery stated that by obtaining this particular permit, it will be able to reach a new demographic of customers who enjoy beer and expand offerings for private events.