Township honors Citizens Police Academy graduates, marks promotions and staff changes; announces events and summer concert series

At the Jan. 28 meeting of the Delhi Township Board of Trustees, township leaders recognized community volunteers, confirmed personnel changes and previewed events for early and mid-2026.

The board and police department honored graduates of the Delhi Citizens Police Academy. Graduate Michelle Hughes described the program as “an invaluable resource for building relationships between Delhi citizens and police officers,” praising ride-alongs, training simulations and a visit to the Hamilton County Communication Center for giving residents deeper insight into police work.

Officials also held a promotion ceremony for Corporal Adam Smith. The chief presented Smith’s selection after a multi-step promotional process; Smith recited the oath and received his corporal badge in a pinning ceremony involving his family.

The board approved routine personnel actions including the hiring of Jonathan O. Hughes as a part-time firefighter/EMT and event attendant Casey J. Finsham at $15 per hour. Trustees accepted retirements from public works manager Patricia A. Cleisinger (31 years of service) and administrative assistant Lori A. Stutt (21 years). Trustees and staff praised both retirees’ long service and noted Cleisinger’s work on grants and road projects.

Staff also previewed community programming: a Kids, Cops & Firefighters fundraiser Feb. 6 at the Delhi Event Center, Galentine’s candy-making on Feb. 13, an Alice in Wonderland Unbirthday Tea on Feb. 22, and the Delhi Township Annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 28. The events team announced a summer concert-in-the-park series running June–September with named performers and a tentative Shakespeare in the Park production.

Trustees additionally received updates on public-works snow response and on a successful Goodwill grand opening that staff said involved a $3–4 million investment in property acquisition and renovation.

Votes at a glance (motions and resolutions adopted during the meeting): hiring and personnel approvals (overtime, hiring Jonathan O. Hughes, hiring Casey J. Finsham), retirements accepted (Patricia A. Cleisinger, Lori A. Stutt), Resolution 2026-0007 (surplus police vehicles sale to Village of Green Hills), Resolution 2026-10 (authorize administrator to spend >$10,000 for a fire purchase, grant-supported), and Resolution 2026-11 (nuisance declaration at 753 Lullaby Court).