Small renovation becomes big potential liability for Deerfield Township, officials say

Deerfield Township trustees meet in July 2022. Pictured on the dais from left to right: Nancy Cowan, assistant fiscal officer; Kristi Elliott, fiscal officer; Tiffany Havens, trustee; Charles “Ed” Dean, trustee; Mark Bann, trustee; and Vaughn Sutcliffe, fire chief. Max Swartout/The Portager

Small renovation becomes big potential liability for Deerfield Township, officials say

- Wendy DiAlesandro

One current and one former Deerfield Township trustee say one of their colleagues violated Ohio’s Sunshine Laws by changing the terms of a building restoration contract without their knowledge, a decision that could become a liability with the state auditor’s office.

Trustee Ed Dean and former Trustee Mark Bann said Trustee Tiffany Havens did not seek approval from the board of trustees before advising Plotnik Construction to install a drywall ceiling in Deerfield’s old town hall instead of the tongue and groove ceiling the contract specified. The contract also called for the contractor to install six high-efficiency light fixtures and two ceiling fans.

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