[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6472782,"mediaKeyId","5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e","parentId",5775155,"title","Votes at a glance: Brimfield trustees approve fiscal manual, donor letter and fire chief contract extension","audioSeconds",6797,"startMs",136000,"endMs",6933000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e&start=136&end=6933","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e/thumbnail_136000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472782/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Brimfield-trustees-approve-fiscal-manual-donor-letter-and-fire-chief-contract-extension","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472782-3687d90921ef4da8c30487b29de52efb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665542&Signature=Uc7u5h2LoVwJn2h4X-aQF5cdwAjo4VbqFEhtS8KqkA34NjbfV8VxQO5At4e4MYDZ0aBa-qpsAUcKXgGQMuR3JhhgI9953~f~Gp42MoESX7uU04AkWCDf7yqUygvBhCxXh5TqmiSB1wQagnm6Qokx5rx0JJkSIuIarkJPbENX7oExVNzTR0yx1gCkVqEwgq0Cg7anGHL29vhFY2GXW5nAh4LAQNufXeGOYLCzP5UN0k--xgfd5Z49bJo9px3F7ZrstLrBT6JptfJe89l9P8oKXvMdVcHUi5L1i7VEKOuWpzzI~72vfjhoaBqVmaO5GGq9Ix3iIzlvjPEcFvWUYVbzFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brimfield Township","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","Brimfield Township trustees recorded several formal votes at their meeting. The key outcomes were:

Adopted fiscal policies and procedures manual — Approved by roll call (Mike: yes; Sue: yes; Nick: yes). Trustees directed staff to consult the county auditor on thresholds for virtual purchase-order signatures and to return with recommended limits.

Approved thank-you letter to donor Mike Watson for cemetery fire-pit repair materials — Approved by roll call (Mike: yes; Sue: yes; Nick: yes). Fiscal staff will draft the letter for trustee signatures.

Approved contract amendment extending the fire chief’s contract through Sept. 15, 2028 — Approved by roll call following an executive session held under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(g) (Mike: yes; Sue: yes; Nick: yes). Trustees said a second related contract will be returned for additional language at a later meeting.

Routine votes: trustees also approved meeting minutes, the amended agenda (which added two executive sessions for public-employee compensation), and warrants. All recorded roll-call votes shown in the minutes were unanimous among the three trustees present.

Why it matters: the fiscal manual sets standardized financial procedures; the fire-chief contract extension secures leadership through 2028; and the donor letter acknowledges community support for cemetery maintenance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brimfield Township - Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting - 9/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting trustees approved several routine items by roll call, including adoption of a fiscal policies manual, a thank-you letter to a cemetery donor and a contract amendment extending the fire chief’s contract to Sept. 15, 2028.","taxTitle","Brimfield Board of Trustees, Brimfield Town, Portage County, Ohio","taxId",74570,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6472787,"Brimfield trustees adopt fiscal policies; staff to pursue ACH payments and streamline purchase orders",158,2450000,2608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e&start=2450&end=2608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e/thumbnail_2450000.jpg","/articles/6472787/Ohio/Brimfield-trustees-adopt-fiscal-policies-staff-to-pursue-ACH-payments-and-streamline-purchase-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472787-86bd2358f2a3b6fc4417783ed6622542/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665542&Signature=SoPZSTUbzIxzcaCkgNLlTojM6gnT1TOzL4jIxtC11ooI3q-WtFU3J1xn3xqAHlu194il0HU2i4PD2zVeihTEgZtMLpY8lsfGTL-7k14V5Oi91ILIOtF6CKm3BEtqeuj7rCFhMbsG90VeghX38AfYobiSe6gm1E10PTRytJH5la0Spb3oSq43jCtPKVoB5V7GhITUMX5Z8zgys8ItIc0i~JDNzh~z3lmck3pplgz14FAdCBsoKweK6EaxLj6UCMAnDbe4lldDvFoylZIQZDy-Op39xyG8VydPjbRka~sFDgzKpO9Knui61vWNxqWk7fT5WylPBaqMXBa0jZaYgACR5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brimfield Board of Trustees adopted a fiscal policies and procedures manual at the meeting and discussed several operational changes intended to streamline township finances.

Jasmine, Brimfield Township fiscal officer, presented the manual and asked trustees to adopt it as the guiding framework for financial operations. Trustees approved adoption by roll call, with all three trustees recorded as voting yes.

Jasmine described operational changes staff hopes to implement, including making vendor payments by ACH to reduce paper and postage and accepting virtual signatures for routine purchase orders. “If we can utilize ACH payments, we will be able to pay our bills more efficiently, effectively, and save money on postage and paper and things of that nature,” Jasmine said.

Trustees discussed thresholds for when multiple signatures or in-person approval would still be required. Staff said department heads currently have certain delegated spending limits and that the board will finalize exact dollar thresholds after additional review and consultation with the county auditor. Trustee discussion referenced a $5,000 threshold used for some department spending in prior practice; trustees asked staff to return with clear, auditable thresholds for the next meeting.

Other fiscal items: Jasmine reported on a request from a homeowner association to transfer the Whispering Woods entrance sign’s electric service into township care. Ohio Edison identified a past-due balance of $430.73 plus a $99 security deposit required to transfer service, Jasmine said. Trustees agreed to investigate whether similar entrance signs are paid by the township as part of lighting districts and to follow up at the next meeting.

The board also accepted a donor’s materials for a cemetery repair and voted to send a letter thanking donor Mike Watson. Trustees voted 3–0 to approve that letter.

Why it matters: adopting a written fiscal manual standardizes procedures across departments and is intended to reduce paperwork, speed payments and strengthen internal controls. Trustees directed staff to finalize threshold amounts and confirm auditor guidance before fully switching to virtual signatures for higher-value transactions.","Trustees adopted a new fiscal policies and procedures manual. Staff outlined plans to convert vendors to ACH payments and use virtual signatures for routine purchase orders subject to agreed thresholds and auditor review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6472791,"Proposed Hilton near McDonald’s prompts fire-safety questions; trustees discuss ladder truck limits",77,1098000,1175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e&start=1098&end=1175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e/thumbnail_1098000.jpg","/articles/6472791/Ohio/Proposed-Hilton-near-McDonalds-prompts-fire-safety-questions-trustees-discuss-ladder-truck-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472791-b3d82e25103b620b51b5a42c24127392/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665542&Signature=afRjO512-LnA3wQvWlREknJFsSpbKxOhJupIXgRayeo-HPDIb~O20JYK0w3EO5PUUXE0g6-h4L1DufKgiH08i~CUeJGsXi5IRrkaw6yMPzbCyfdeyhyyx~MIOt0ODIcPip2E7rRzuYMu-I0rz48uK4eUfbEwKL~Z9P6Tvm4vm49yVbo1117ENDG8n0tDG~P92b4s9z8oDl~x~P-bv8jZgAAaPnU9Sx6Es1q-nm3QCJts8z7JfPigm0hk4GX5~ZcH7CuCDJyM0OX-zTWb3rxhexU2PMVjCQ~uRDAiheDEPvekIgW60O1P8UnCd6UWGBK2K8bwIy17E1nQRhisnoI1fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Zoning and economic development staff told the Brimfield Board of Trustees that a developer with the Skipper Group has proposed a new Hilton hotel next to McDonald’s and that the project will seek a conditional-use permit before the zoning appeals board in October.

The zoning staff member said the investor “is looking to invest around $14,000,000” and that an earlier design was revised to reduce building height after an initial fire-department denial. The staff member said the developer’s architects reworked the design to keep the structure under the township’s 40-foot threshold.

Fire officials told trustees building height and life-safety equipment determine whether the department can approve structures taller than 40 feet. Chief Lovett, Brimfield Township fire chief, said the department’s current largest ladder is a 24-foot device and that the township relies on mutual aid from neighboring departments for taller structures. “We just don’t have the capabilities right now,” Lovett said, adding that ladder trucks stationed in nearby towns take setup time and may not arrive instantly.

Why it matters: trustees said life-safety considerations influence zoning approvals for taller structures where people sleep overnight. Board members and staff discussed that a taller, multistory hotel could pose evacuation and suppression challenges that must be addressed before final approvals.

Board discussion and next steps: trustees and staff agreed to continue planning-level conversations about long-term equipment needs if the township wants to support taller structures in its growth areas. The board suggested convening a work session that includes zoning, fire safety officials and trustees to align building approvals with available emergency response capabilities. No formal zoning decision or permit was made or voted on at the trustee meeting.","A developer is proposing a Hilton hotel near McDonald’s in the township plaza. Trustees and fire officials discussed building height, mutual-aid ladder-truck capabilities and the township’s current equipment limitations.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6472796,"Brimfield police report rise in shots-fired calls; department urges immediate reporting",203,608000,811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e&start=608&end=811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775155-5e3c4d0a5506e6a3d57c52d87bd3a09e/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/6472796/Ohio/Brimfield-police-report-rise-in-shots-fired-calls-department-urges-immediate-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472796-b41904eb738720e3cabcafbf6373b445/orig.mp4?Expires=1770665542&Signature=Rs5XadpiJ~B81nKQB5k0mOUMTHfM2Lo5cwWqxdsgw0ljn8MImnLBQ0W7hvoI2POtetPp4D10HMOvsc7jG6QeWpThotWavUCPQkguFuAb4xbr0Y-6CjOinPnhnNYhLcp-6UHm4~3~XRegiI-qA2M~2UjKQ8MqNID38LsBld2cG69pkeISbbUE1jLb6AbUopsmq~tC~yohGLevHCpNMUQTwBwSim6KXlrw1iUD88cqhryeupM-JpkVlPYuWouGrxuLosQcszQAOywX~sp3a80tmfyKL~V~GSYHXdjPssNtoRsfZGodTKnS1MKSzuDJyGIU0a6L~tyVAGqKVc0viMDy2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brimfield Township police told trustees at their regular meeting that calls about shots fired have increased and that investigators are working several open cases, including rounds that have struck houses.

Captain Atkins, a Brimfield Township police captain, told the board “we are seeing an increase in calls for shots being fired in the township” and said the department is investigating multiple recent incidents. He told trustees three incidents in the past few months are under active investigation and that additional events may not have been formally reported to police.

The captain said investigators distinguish between lawful target practice and unsafe or illegal shooting. “Some of them are just shots fired. Some of them are people target practicing and we want you to stop and check and make sure it’s legal,” he said, adding that officers routinely educate people who are shooting lawfully but unsafely. For incidents that involve trespass or negligent shooting that endanger homes, the department pursues criminal charges when suspects can be located and evidence developed.

Why it matters: residents said they want clearer information and faster follow-up after shots are heard in neighborhoods. Police urged immediate reporting because delayed tips make it harder to find and prosecute people who are trespassing or firing negligently. “We need the phone calls. We need to know when it’s happening. Three days later doesn’t help me,” Captain Atkins told the board.

Department limits and enforcement: the police told trustees they cannot adopt a township ordinance to ban all shooting. Atkins said the Ohio Revised Code limits what townships may regulate in this area, so the department’s primary tools are education, trespass enforcement and traditional criminal charges when investigators can identify suspects and secure evidence. He described repeat problems in rural properties and public lands in the township — including Dustle Farm and at reservoir areas — where officers say hunters or shooters sometimes trespass on private property.

Investigation details and public requests: Atkins said some recent reports include rounds entering houses but that, in reported incidents to date, there have been no reported physical injuries. Still, he urged residents to call 911 at the time they hear gunfire so officers can respond and attempt to locate suspects while they are present. “If it’s that night and they’re trespassing, I have a criminal charge, I can do something with it,” he said. He described using available investigative tools including drones and ballistics comparisons when weapons can be recovered.

Board response and next steps: trustees asked for public cooperation in reporting and for the department to continue outreach and education. The board did not adopt any ordinance or new enforcement policy at the meeting; trustees and staff discussed continuing to rely on incident reporting, mutual aid, and education while the police pursue active investigations.","Brimfield Township Police reported an increase in reports of shots fired ahead of hunting season, described limits on township authority to ban shooting, and asked residents to report incidents immediately so officers can catch suspects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Brimfield trustees approve fiscal manual, donor letter and fire chief contract extension

Brimfield trustees adopt fiscal policies; staff to pursue ACH payments and streamline purchase orders

Proposed Hilton near McDonald’s prompts fire-safety questions; trustees discuss ladder truck limits

Brimfield police report rise in shots-fired calls; department urges immediate reporting