Atwater

The Atwater Fire Department was an integral part of the “active shooter drill” that took place Oct. 31 at Waterloo Local Schools. Various departments and agencies were involved with this training/learning exercise.

Meanwhile, Jacob Shaffer was recently hired by the fire department. He is dual-certified, holding EMT-Basic and 240 Firefighter certifications.

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The Atwater Township Board of Trustees recently requested input from community residents regarding the topic of  “economically significant wind farms, large wind farms and large solar facilities” within the township. The meeting was well attended by the residents, who proceeded to ask questions and give their stance on this issue, which was overwhelmingly against such facilities. The trustees proceeded to adopt a resolution authorizing the Portage County Board of Commissioners to prohibit such facilities within the township. The Portage County Commissioners, who have the authority to prohibit these facilities, will meet after the first of the year to act on this matter.

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The unofficial results from the Portage County Board of Elections show passage of the township’s road levy.

“The board of trustees would like to say ‘thank you’ to our residents for their continued support. It is truly appreciated,” township Chair Thora Green said.

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The First Annual Waterloo Vikings PTO Turkey Trot will be held Saturday, Nov. 15 at Waterloo Local Schools. Gates open at 9 a.m. The Turkey Trot starts at 10 a.m. Admission is $5/person or $10/family. Join in for a chance to win a locally raised turkey with all the Thanksgiving “fixins” or a gift certificate to a local Christmas tree farm to name just a few.

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Upcoming township meetings:

Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Trustees, 7 p.m., Town Hall at 1219 State Route 183

Monday, Nov. 17 – Records Retention, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 25 – Trustees, 7 p.m., Town Hall

Mogadore

Mogadore’s Annual “Christmas in the Village” festival will be Saturday, Dec. 13. Activities start at 1:30 p.m. on South Cleveland Avenue between Mogadore High School, the municipal building and the library. There will be free refreshments and, for the kids, Santa Claus, trains and crafts. The Christmas tree lighting will be at 5:15 p.m.

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The village’s annual leaf pickup program has begun. The village asks that residents put their leaves on their devil strip, not on the street. The service department will do continuous loops picking up the leaves for the next six weeks.  

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The next soup-and-sandwich sponsored by the Mogadore Historical Society will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Russell M. Pry Community Center at 3857 Mogadore Rd.

Suffield     

The Suffield Township Fire Department hosted its annual Open House on Oct. 12. Among the many attractions included a University Hospitals medical helicopter, fire truck rides, a firefighter combat challenge, EMS demonstrations with some of the tools used on emergency calls, and a farm tractor barrel train ride. Guests were able to use hydraulic tools to cut up a car, the health department gave flu shots, and free Duma Ranch hamburgers were given out.

“We had a fantastic community turnout,” Fire Chief Bob Rasnick said. “Several hundred people showed up.”

Brimfield

The Oakwood Estates housing development off Ranfield Road recently transferred after it couldn’t get approvals needed. The neighboring property owner purchased the property, and the zoning department is declaring it agricultural to extend his farm.

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The property owner of 4618 State Route 43 had been ordered by Judge Laurie J. Pittman to clean up scrap metal, junk and debris by Jan. 1, 2025. The property was checked two weeks ago and appears to be completed. The prosecutor’s office will be notified of the status.

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A Hilton hotel is being proposed in the Highway Commercial District. Hotel representatives are planning on going before the BZA for a conditional-use permit sometime this month.

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The proposed Fairfield Inn by Marriott was granted variances on the temporary fence it installed. Fairfield Inn representatives obtained building permits and are working on the new fire alarm system and redesigning the sprinkler system.

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The Dollar General building is now complete and open to the public.

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Wohlwend Engineering crews continue construction for a second building and are starting the third and fourth buildings on Mogadore Road. Metro Net (10-15 employees) is the tenant for the first new building. Outdoor storage is located in Tallmadge. Tax increment financing is currently being worked on for this project.

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Construction of a Martin Wheel plant on Maplecrest Parkway is now complete. An official date for the ribbon cutting is TBA. Martin Wheel is a Tallmadge-based subsidiary of Kenda Tire.

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Pleasant Lakes of Ohio has been granted approval to continue with a condominium development off Sanctuary Drive. The roadway is now in, and several condos are under construction. Also, this developer will start building behind the Holiday Inn. A zoning map amendment was approved at this location.

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Items at 1203 Doralee Drive will be auctioned by the road department once the titles are received. Obtaining titles on the boat, motor and car from the court is being worked on.  

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Celebration Church purchased 4494 State Route 43. Renovations will start soon. The Cleveland Clinic will continue renting the space.

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Meijer is working on installing EV charging stations in its parking lot.

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The Schaffer Woods subdivision off Route 18 has been approved by the BZA and Regional Planning. This new subdivision will have 128 new homes and connect into Chapman Farms.

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A tax increment financing agreement was completed with PrideOne to help build the Town Center Master Plan. Also, Wohlwend Engineering has developed a conceptual drawing for sidewalk and lighting areas as requested by the zoning commission. The zoning commission also continues to work on lighting plans with FirstEnergy, and several TIFs are being worked on to fund construction of the sidewalks and lighting.

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Currently, there are 52 zoning violation letters sent out and five cases in court with the prosecutor’s office.

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Twenty-five new homes have been permitted this year to date.

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Upcoming/previous meetings:

• Kent JEDD – Monday, Nov. 10
• Regional Planning Commission – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12  
• Zoning Commission – 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. Public hearings start at 6:30 p.m. for text amendments. The zoning commission is starting on Comprehensive Land Use Plan updates. This plan will continue to protect agricultural properties. The last update was approved unanimously by the trustees in August 2024.
• Portage County Storm Water Task Force – 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18
• Board of Zoning Appeals – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
• Portage Development Board – 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20
• Quarterly Zoning Inspector – TBD  
• Tallmadge JEDD – Sometime in December (the last one was held Dec. 4, 2024)
• Brimfield Township TIRC Board met March 31
• AMATS Policy Committee met Oct. 10