Ravenna Township
April 1, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Ravenna Township
6115 S. Spring St.
Ravenna, OH 44266
Attendance:
Vince Coia, Trustee
Jim DiPaola, Trustee
Hank T. Gibson, Trustee
Nonvoting Attendees:
Lori Rotondo, Zoning Inspector
Ray Taylor, Road Superintendent
Captain Heather Sweitzer, Fire Department
Melissa Murphy, Assistant Administrator
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. After roll call, the meeting began with a public hearing, followed by the finance summary, review of old business and concluding with the presentation of new business.
Public hearing began with residents addressing a zoning issue. The residents are landlords of a single-family home and wished to put up a fence, but the zoning permit was revoked because the property had an infraction for clutter. Per the zoning inspector, the location has play toys and outdoor landscaping that was deemed as enough clutter to cause an infraction. The council reviewed pictures of the property and approved that cleaning up by the landlord’s tenants was sufficient and approved the reinstatement of the fence installation permit
Next, a recurring issue of a property being overgrown and not in compliance with zoning code was addressed. The property has lots of weeds along the fence line, and there is a pole barn that does not comply with the setback requirement. Residents are disgruntled with the LED light from the barn that is very bright and shines onto their residences, and the animal feces that are piled up to a height of over one foot by the fence line. Zoning Inspector Lori Rotondo offered to send a letter to the county about the lighting and set back requirements, as well as to notify the health inspector of the animal feces pile.
Todd Peetz from the Portage County Regional Planning Commission brought forward an approval for a $7,500 grant from the Association of Realtors for a pergola on the corner of Sycamore and Main Street. The pergola would span the sidewalk with a foundation greater than the current walkway. Trustee Vince Coia asked about the design and its longevity and maintenance. Road Superintendent Ray Taylor asked about the structural soundness of the pergola and its endurance against weight, winds and storms. Motion was made by Coia and seconded by Trustee Hank T. Gibson to approve the pergola, which would be overseen by Main Street Ravenna.
Sam Francis is a high school student who desired to learn about urban planning and presented a request for an internship. Peetz suggested that Francis work with him and the Ravenna Township team, as well as shadow Rotondo. The commitment would total 260 hours from August 2025–May 2026. Trustee Jim DiPaola suggested Francis attend Board of Zoning Appeals and Zoning Commission meetings to gain more experience in the field, as well. An unpaid internship was approved by all, and Francis was welcomed with enthusiasm.
Coia raised a motion to accept the minutes from March 4, 2025. Accounting resolutions were approved for payroll, as well as warrants over $1,000 that were read aloud by Coia. Approved by all.
Old business was presented by each trustee with comments on experience or status of the project.
- Gibson attended the Health Department dinner. He had a great experience and commended the presentation.
- DiPaola submitted an application for electrical service to the new cold storage building for the road department that is under construction. ARPA funds covered the cost of the structure.
- Coia mentioned that spring clean-up is coming up and encouraged the community to participate. He also brought up a fence line issue from residents and the upkeep of the fence. The prosecutor told trustees that he can provide some guidance on the Ohio Partition Fence 971 statute. DiPaola explained that the statute goes back to the days of wide-open agricultural ranges and makes rules for property owner compliance to the upkeep of the fence line. Motion was made to send to the prosecutor’s office the notice of rights and responsibilities for the Ohio Partition Fence legislation to support the hearing as it progressed.
- The fiscal officer was not present, so a summary was provided to trustees via email. One note that was made by Melissa Murphy, assistant administrator, was that first funding of tax revenue has been received. $250,000 was deposited to Star Bank and a limited amount kept in operating expense accounts.
Department reports were presented from each department representative.
Taylor noted the new plow truck is expected to be done in another month. The 2014 service truck needs tires on it. Quotes were presented and the preferred quote was approved by trustees. Taylor requested a clothing allowance for $150 per person. Approved by all. Applications are being reviewed for a full-time worker. Decision to be determined soon for hiring. Requested to order two pallets of Quikrete for the catch basin repairs totaling $730. Approved by all. Taylor has catch basin repair as a top priority this year. Grandview cemetery has had two burials, five cremations, and has sold one grave lot and one niche. Taylor briefly explained “Prayer Columbariums,” a place for cremated remains to be, and that there are more available to be sold. Cost is $800 for a resident, and $1,000 for a non-resident; it’s up to two remains per spot. They also received a complaint about a section of the cemetery for the excessive decoration on a plot. Murphy shared newly drafted rules and regulations for the cemetery. She gathered up documentation on resolutions and scattered information on pricing, combining the public information into an easy-to-read document, making access easier for the public and for the trustees. Motion was made to accept the new document into public record.
Rotondo provided a brief summary of updates on court cases, permit requests and approvals underway.
Fire Department representative Captain Heather Sweitzer requested approval on the following items: PO for preventive maintenance on equipment. PO for truck 2411 brakes and alignment. Request to repair two portable radios, requesting to calibrate the fit tester, requesting the 5-500 phone for the comms team and Stryker to replace batteries on AEDs while the 2415 Lifepak 15 is being sent out for service. Requests presented approved by all.
Sweitzer then shared a request regarding a fireman who is asking to join the Portage County Investigators as a cause and origin investigator. Trustees decided to delay permissions until a new chief is brought in to have some conversation related to the decision. Additionally, an arson investigation was underway for a vacant structure fire.
Sweitzer requested to rescind resolution 25-055 that terminated the employment of a firefighter, but stated that he would like to continue to work part time. Motion passed.
New Business:
- DiPaola: Clarified the history of the employment of past fire chiefs; the website will be updated with the dates and names of past chiefs.
- Coia: Drug policy for employees will be sent as a reminder in employee paychecks, so there is a copy provided to all personnel. Contractor for the sewer project removed trees on Wall Street and the project is progressing. Coia spoke with a few residents on Wall Street about the progress of the project.
- Murphy made a request to approve purchase orders. Approval by all. Financial reports were distributed to the dept.
Trustees dismissed to executive session regarding personnel.
Public meeting closed.
