Mogadore

Seth Dowler was promoted to fire chief of the Village of Mogadore after three years as assistant fire chief. His first day in his new capacity will be Dec. 27. Dowler is replacing John Cain, who is retiring after 12 years as fire chief and an astounding 44 years as a fireman in the department.

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Mogadore Village Council unanimously voted to accept the bid of Kimble Recycling & Disposal to provide exclusive residential trash removal and recycling services within the village from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029, with two one-year options. Kimble has been the existing residential trash hauler for the Village of Mogadore since 2021.

Brimfield

A new oral surgery center at the corner of state Route 43 and Meloy Road in Brimfield is being proposed for the board of zoning appeals’ consideration at the next meeting.

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A Hilton Hotel is being proposed in the Highway Commercial District. The board of zoning appeals approved the Conditional Use in October and will decide on three variances this month.

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

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There will be two new occupancies for Brimfield Plaza: Wing Warehouse and Portage County Republican Headquarters.

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The Villas at Wyles Farm apartment homes on Town Square Drive continue site work and constructing apartments. Several tenants have now moved into the completed apartments. The Portage County Engineer has approved the public roadway improvements from tax increment financing.

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Construction is now complete on the Kenda Tire project. 

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Ryan Homes continues to construct townhomes and condos in the Woodland Reserve condominium development at 536 State Route 43. Tax increment financing is being worked on to run water down state Route 43. 

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

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Veterans Affairs Cancer Imaging & Infusion Center construction is now complete. 

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

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The contractor for Joe’s Barbecue is continuing work on the structure and site.

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A new retail plaza is being constructed at Brimfield Crossing Drive across from McDonald’s. Construction on the building and site continues.

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Construction on the addition for The Hill Church is ongoing.

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The former Rico’s Bar is being transformed into a restaurant/bar owned by KWT Commercial Real Estate LLC. The renovation is nearing completion.

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The Schaffer Woods Subdivision on state Route 18 has been approved by the board of zoning appeals and regional planning. This new subdivision will have 128 new homes and connect into Chapman Farms.

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Construction of the building and site is progressing quickly on The Village of Saint Edward assisted living facility project.

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Brimfield Township currently has 52 zoning violation letters out and five in court with the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Upcoming meetings:

• Regional Planning Commission – 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10
• AMATS Policy Committee – Dec. 11
• Zoning Commission – 7 p.m. Dec. 11 (work is starting on updating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan).
• Board of Zoning Appeals – 7 p.m. Dec. 17
• Portage Development Board – 7:30 a.m. Jan. 22

Recent meetings:

• Brimfield Township Tax Incentive Review Council – March 31
• Portage County Storm Water Task Force – Nov. 18
• Kent JEDD – Nov. 19
• Tallmadge JEDD – Dec. 3

Atwater

The Atwater Fire Department is sponsoring a new toy drive from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Dollar General at 6693 Waterloo Rd. The toys will be donated to Akron Children’s Hospital and Toys for Tots.

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Troop 7355 Eagle Scout candidate Savannah Finney submitted the plans for the project on which she is working. She is constructing a wooden frame to display an Atwater Township blanket that was gifted back to the township by Holly Holb Cannon, whose parents, Albert and Betty Holb, and grandparents, Edgar and Mildred James, were longtime residents of the township. The 65x85-inch frame is being constructed of red oak with a plexiglass covering over the blanket. The blanket features historical pictures of township buildings and will be hung in Town Hall. 

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The Atwater Township organizational meeting for 2026 will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, with the regular trustees’ end-of-year meeting to follow. As with all township meetings, they are open to the public.

Suffield

The Suffield League will host its annual “Welcome to Santa” event Sunday, Dec. 14 at Suffield Town Hall at 1256 Waterloo Rd. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a recital by the Field High School choir. At 6 p.m., Santa will arrive on a fire truck. Light refreshments, cookies, coffee and punch will be available. Toys will be given out, and there will be a coloring contest for children in kindergarten through fifth grade; paper for the contest can be acquired through the Suffield League. There is no entrance fee, but canned food donations will be accepted to help the Randolph/Suffield/Atwater Food Shelter.

Randolph

The construction of the pavilion and handicap-accessible restrooms at Old School Park on state Route 44 in Randolph is nearing completion. The project should be done within a week, and the pavilion and restrooms will be open to the public in the spring.