Atwater / Brimfield / Events / Local government / Mogadore / Randolph
County roundup: Construction continues around Brimfield, plus news from Atwater, Mogadore and Randolph
- Roger Gordon
Mogadore
Starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 26, the railroad crossing located between 3525 Gilchrist Rd. and 3575 Gilchrist Rd. in Mogadore will be closed for repairs. Drivers will not be able to access Interstate 76 from Mogadore Road to Gilchrist Road. The contractor for the railroad has established that the detour route will utilize Skelton Road.
The village’s fall leaf pickup will start Monday, Oct. 13. Service workers will run continuous loops for six to eight weeks until all the leaves are picked up. Residents should place their leaves next to the curb on the devil strip.
Mogadore’s Trick-or-Treat will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
Randolph
The pavilion at Old School Park on state Route 44 in Randolph is progressing nicely and should be completed within the next month. There will be men’s and women’s restrooms and eventually picnic tables.
Randolph Township is rezoning three parcels of land that are in areas that are residential. This was sent back to the zoning commission to reevaluate one of the parcels because two of them were combined into one parcel. The zoning commission is requesting that the parcels be rezoned back to R-1.
Atwater
Nani Shengelya, manager of the Treatment Foster Home Pilot Program for the Northeast Ohio region, spoke at the Sept. 23 Atwater Township Trustees meeting. She presented information about the foster care program and spoke of the urgency for recruiting new foster parents. For more information, contact Shengelya at 330-235-3137 or Nanuli.Shengelya@jfs.ohio.gov.
The township trustees welcomed Waterloo Schools Superintendent Frank Gant, who was in attendance at the Sept. 23 trustees meeting.
The Atwater Fire Association Pancake Breakfast was well-attended. Portage County Auditor Matt Kelly, along with several other community members, walked a mile in the township that morning to bring awareness to resources available to help prevent veteran suicides.
Upcoming events/meetings:
- Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m.: Finance review meeting, followed at 7 p.m. by township trustees meeting, at Town Hall at 1219 State Route 43
- Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.: Township trustees meeting at Town Hall
- Sunday, Oct. 26, 2-4 p.m.: Township Trick-or-Treat as well as Trunk-or-Treat at Atwater United Methodist Church at 6380 Waterloo Rd.
Brimfield
The next Brimfield Zoning Commission meeting will be at 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 further protect agricultural properties. The last update was approved unanimously by the trustees in August 2024.
The next board of zoning appeals meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The next Regional Planning Commission meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The Brimfield Township TIRC Board met March 31.
The next Kent JEDD meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
The next Tallmadge JEDD meeting will be in December.
The AMATS Policy Committee annual meeting was Oct. 10.
The quarterly zoning inspector’s meeting is TBD.
The Portage Development Board meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23.
The next Portage County Stormwater Task Force meeting is at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The Oakwood Estates housing development off Ranfield Road recently transferred after it could not get approvals needed. The neighboring property owner purchased the property, and zoning is declaring it agricultural to extend his farm.
The property at 4618 State Route 43 was ordered to clean up scrap metal, junk and debris by Jan. 1 by Judge Laurie J. Pittman. The property was checked recently and appears to be completed. Brimfield Township will notify the prosecutor’s office of the status.
A proposed Hilton Hotel is being proposed in the Highway Commercial District. The Hilton is planning on going before the BZA for a Conditional Use in November.
The Dollar General building is now complete and open to the public.
Discount Drug Mart’s construction and site work continues. The grand opening is planned for mid-November.
Meijer is working on installing EV charging stations in its parking lot.
The Hickory Hills Subdivision continues selling homes for this development. Grading and site work for phase two is now underway.
The Schaffer Woods Subdivision off state Route 18 has been approved by the BZA and regional planning. This new subdivision will have 128 new homes and connect into Chapman Farms.
Brimfield Commons site work is complete. Several potential businesses in this area are being worked on.
Brimfield Township completed a TIF 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 continues to work on lighting plans with FirstEnergy. Several TIFs are being worked on to fund construction of the sidewalks and lighting.
The Village of St. Edward assisted living facility continues with construction and site work. The project is moving very quickly.
Currently, the township has 52 zoning violation letters out and five cases in court with the prosecutor’s office.
The township has 23 new homes permitted this year to date.
Zoning permit fees as of Oct. 10 cost $65,142.85.
Upcoming parks and recreation events:
- Registration for the Boo Cruise Halloween House Decorating contest is closed, but you can still vote! The voting period lasts through Oct. 31. Winners announced the week of Nov. 3. Find contest voting link and information at www.brimfieldohio.gov.
- S.A.I.L. Senior Fitness class presented by University Hospitals, 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Nov. 13 at Brimfield Town Hall at 1333 Tallmadge Rd. #6916. Register by Oct. 20 for the first class and Nov. 10 for the second class. Max class size: 15. Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a program designed to enhance strength, balance and overall fitness in adults. Engaging in regular exercises that build strength and improve balance is one of the most effective ways for people to remain active.
- Tour of Lights Holiday Home Decorating Contest: Registration and voting information will be available on the Brimfield Township Parks and Recreation website at www.brimfieldohio.gov.
- Your Parks, Your Voice! Brimfield Township Parks Department Community Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 6, 6-7:30 p.m., Brimfield Town Hall. Township residents and stakeholders of all ages are invited to help shape the future of Brimfield Township’s parks and events by attending this roundtable discussion. Coffee and light refreshments provided.
- Leave the Leaves, Monday, Nov. 10, 2-3 p.m., Portage County District Library, Brimfield Branch. Learn about how important leaves are to the ecosystem and biodiversity. There will be activities following the presentation. Register online at www.brimfieldohio.gov.
- Timeless Memories Scrapbooking: Accordion album, Thursday, Nov. 13, 1-3 p.m., Portage County District Library, Brimfield Branch at 4286 Kelso Dr. Register by Nov. 10. Cost is $12. Max class size: 10. Join a Creative Memories Independent Advisor to explore new techniques and collaborate with others! Pictures are optional but strongly recommended. Open to all skill levels! This month, learn new techniques to make accordion albums. Program fee includes cost of instruction, use of specialized scrapbooking tools and a packet of Creative Memories papers and supplies.
- Hometown Christmas, Sunday, Nov. 30, 5-7 p.m., Brimfield Town Hall & Fire Station. Free event, no registration required. Bring the whole family to a community holiday extravaganza! Meet Santa Claus and enjoy games, activities and sweet treats from local community groups and businesses. Enjoy musical performances from Field Local Schools and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Roger Gordon