Trustees also urge residents to take COVID-19 precautions seriously
By Emily Chesnic
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide Northfield Center Township with policing services in 2021 and likely in 2022, as well.
At the Dec. 7 meeting, the board of trustees unanimously approved a pending contract renewal with the sheriff’s office, following months of discussion and research on the matter, including time put in by the safety committee to investigate possible other avenues for policing. That research did not conclude with a new policing option, however. The approval of the contract renewal followed an executive session to continue to discuss the pending agreement, held just prior to the public meeting.
Throughout the year, township officials met with the sheriff’s office to better understand costs associated with the services provided. The two entities worked to iron out the final details, ultimately coming to an agreement on the price tag for the contract renewal.
Trustee Russ Mazzola said the renewed contract is for one year, with there being a provision to enter a contract renewal in 2022, with the renewal to be signed 90 days prior to the end of 2021.
“This will allow us to keep the Summit County Sheriff’s Office,” he said of the renewal. “There is flexibility with the new contract’s coverage model, and I feel good about it.”
While the renewed contract comes with a 3 percent cost increase for 2021, the amount still is in the parameters, as far as the levies are concerned, said the trustees.
Mazzola said the contract will cost the township $800,275 in 2021 and then $823,221 for the renewal option in 2022.
He said the new contract will save township residents up to $246,640 over the next two years versus the terms of the ending contract, however.
The board of trustees last approved a three-year contract with the sheriff’s office in 2017, with the contract expiring Dec. 31, 2020. The last contract provided for one deputy, 24-7, and a second deputy for 40 hours a week and came with a $2.62 million total price tag.
The renewed contract continues police coverage 24-7 in the township, said Mazzola. The new contract also provides the township with the ability to add coverage when needed, based on recommendations from the trustees and the sheriff’s office, he said.
“A lot of work went into it,” he said of the new contract. “We have something we can live with, financially and otherwise. I feel comfortable with this one.”
COVID-19 Pandemic Safety Measures
As the cases of COVID-19 continue to spike in Summit County, township officials are urging individuals of all ages to take precautions to protect themselves and others.
At the meeting, the trustees asked residents to continue to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, physically distancing from others, avoiding get-togethers, and washing hands frequently. The trustees agreed community spread of the coronavirus continues to be an issue.
“We have to do what we can to help get us out of the COVID box. Whether we like it or not, we need to work together to get out of this. Listen to the public health officials. Stay home. Do not gather. Do the right thing. Mask in public,” said Trustee Rich Reville.
Buecher said there were “a lot of skeptics out there” concerning the coronavirus at first.
“I was probably one of them,” he said.
Having a family member who recently was sick with COVID-19 reminded Buecher of the seriousness of the situation, however.
“I have known others who have gotten it. It is out there. We really must treat this as the most serious thing that has affected us and our country. Watch out for each other and be safe,” he said.
The fire department continues to get an increase in calls related to COVID-19 in the community, officials reported, putting an increased workload on personnel.
Also concerning the pandemic, the trustees approved waiving zoning permit fees for a CVS’ kiosk, at 9302 Olde Eight Road, to be used as a COVID-19 testing administration site.
Cell Phone Policy Revision
Additionally, at the meeting, the trustees revised the existing cell phone policy in the township. The revision will allow reimbursement for cell phone usage for the road and service department, as this matter was left out of the previous update, which was an oversight. The trustees said the reimbursement should continue, as it provides township’s full-time employees, as well as the trustees, with $15 a month as a reimbursement for using a personal cell phone for township business.
Discussion on Possible Removal of Trees
At the meeting, a conversation took place regarding dead trees, close to the roadway, on a property located on Skylane Drive. Township officials talked about the action that could be taken to have the trees removed from the private property, if determined to pose a safety risk. It was discussed that the trustees could declare the property a nuisance, which would allow for the trees to be taken down legally. The trustees agreed to further investigate before concluding on the issue.
Other Meeting News:
• Township officials discussed the possibility of eight duplexes being constructed at the site of the South End Tavern, 7830 Olde Eight Road, with the matter soon to come before the Zoning Commission.
• The trustees approved changing the township’s office hours to 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The township officials are reminding residents town hall remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff still can be reached by phone, however.
• Despite the recent snow events, leaf removal in the township remains ongoing, township officials announced.
