Shaffer Bish had the only new business. A resident contacted her regarding a beer-pong table that has become what she called “a fixture” in her neighbor’s yard. Shaffer Bish asked council to take up the item as a potential code issue in a future committee meeting. All members voted yes to move this concern forward.
The Portage County Board of Commissioners let Meyer know that they were working with Congressman Dave Joyce to secure funds in the federal 2027 appropriation budget for the public water system rehabilitation project in the village.
Scott Rudlosky offered a proposal to add some disc golf holes at the township parks. He proposed a pilot program that could be started with a $500 grant he recently received specifically for disc golf.
“We’re in an interesting place in terms of enrollment,” Heflinger said. He said that the district doesn’t have room in Brimfield to grow, adding that “if kindergarten enrollment goes up, we will be scrambling.”
Coia shared an update on a $2 million neighborhood grant. The hope is that it will pay for about two-thirds of the hookups to the sewer lines in the allotted area. He also said he has been working on the township dinner, which will be held in August. Space has been reserved at the Elks and a caterer has been procured.
Following the acceptance of the Jan. 12 meeting minutes, members of the public were invited to address the council. Ted Hurd spoke with great pride about the new City Hall, which he said “was always my dream to see.”
According to the banking statements shared, the village ended December with $173,273.10 in the bank and with $119,845.60 in investments with STAR Ohio.
Calfee asked Smallfield for an update on the Flock system and if it has been “worth it.” Smallfield enthusiastically shared his positive opinion on the system and said that it has helped to solve about 100 crimes already.
Unanimous approval was also provided for entering into a service agreement with Southeast Local Schools for the services of an ELL tutor, the establishment of an Indoor Track and Field Club at the high school, and the purchase of a new van for the transportation of special education students.
Errera was unanimously elected and immediately sworn in. Errera thanked those in attendance and quickly cast his first vote, which was an approval to move the board into executive session.
The township is done crack sealing for the year, according to Ruefner. He said that they were finally able to do some road mowing now that the political signs had been taken down. The road department currently has plans to complete some road ditching in the coming days, as well.
The Franklin Township trustees held a regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 28, 2025, at Township Hall. In attendance were Chairperson Kellie Kapusta and trustee Scott Swan. Also attending were Zoning Inspector Joe Ciccozzi, Deputy Fire Prevention Officer Richard Smith and Road Superintendent David Akerley.
In development news, O’Malia said that 717 Credit Union had taken over the vacant Walgreens. He also announced that O’Hooligan’s barber and tattoo shop was planning a soft opening in November.
Curtis then offered the superintendent’s report, which led off with a warning about an expected slate of votes on property taxes in the Ohio statehouse, which would upend school funding. “The state is still not fulfilling their part,” she said.
The first order of business of the council was to hear a report from Tia Rutledge from Portage County Water Resources. She provided an update on the current project in the village to replace the water mains.
Wisniewski offered a report on Maplewood. They are preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary and are currently in the planning stages for this event.
The installation of the pickleball courts is on schedule with the installation of fence posts. Akerley met earlier with Tim Perrin of Perrin Asphalt on the Hudson Road repaving project.
O’Malia announced that a resident entrepreneur is opening a combination barbershop and tattoo studio. “We have been without the services of a traditional barber for some time,” he said.