Suffield News | Suffield Twp.

Suffield Township Welcomes New Fire Chief Sean Barber

Suffield Township is pleased to officially welcome Fire Chief Sean Barber to the Suffield Township Fire Department.

Chief Barber began serving the township on July 1, 2026, and was officially sworn into office on July 14, 2026.

Chief Barber succeeds Chief Bob Rasnick, whose dedicated leadership and years of service have made a lasting impact on our department and community. We extend our sincere appreciation to Chief Rasnick for his commitment to protecting the residents of Suffield Township.

Please join us in welcoming Chief Barber as he begins this new chapter of leadership. We look forward to his continued dedication to public safety, serving our community, and supporting the firefighters and emergency personnel who proudly serve Suffield Township.

Congratulations, Chief Barber, and welcome to the Suffield Township family!

July 14th, 7:30PM Budget Hearing Meeting

The Suffield Township Board of Trustees will hold a Budget Hearing on Tuesday, July 14, beginning at 7:30 PM at the Suffield Township Administration Building.

The purpose of the Budget Hearing is to review and discuss the Township’s proposed budget.

Immediately following the Budget Hearing, the Board will convene its Regular Trustee Meeting at 8:00 PM.

Meeting Schedule

Budget Hearing: Tuesday, July 14 – 7:30 PM
Regular Trustee Meeting: Tuesday, July 14 – 8:00 PM

Both meetings are open to the public.

Residents are encouraged to attend and stay informed about Township business.

Suffield Township Emergency Trustee Meetings

The Suffield Township Trustees will hold two emergency meetings to discuss employment. One meeting will be held on June 3 at 5:00 pm and one on June 4 at 5:00 pm. These meetings will be held at 1256 Waterloo Rd. in the community room.

Right-of-Way Work Permit Update

Overview

As of February 5, 2026, Suffield Township has assumed full responsibility for all Right-of-Way Work Permits on Township roads.

All permits related to work within Township road right-of-ways must be obtained directly through Suffield Township.

Permit Authority

Suffield Township is the issuing authority for Right-of-Way Work Permits on Township roads.

This includes permits for:

Work within Township road right-of-ways
Construction or excavation affecting Township roads
Utility work within Township right-of-ways
Any work that may impact Township road access or conditions

The Portage County Engineer’s Office will no longer issue Right-of-Way Work Permits for Suffield Township roads.

Permit Contact

All Right-of-Way permit requests should be directed to:

Dave Einloth
Suffield Township Right-of-Way Permits
Phone: 330-628-4974
Email: [email protected]

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following information:

Project location
Description and scope of work
Proposed start and completion dates
Traffic control plan, if applicable
Proof of insurance
Contractor/Home Owner contact information

Important Notice

No work may begin within a Township right-of-way without an approved Right-of-Way Work Permit from Suffield Township.

Failure to obtain proper authorization may result in work stoppage, penalties, or required restoration at the contractor or home owner’s expense.

Questions

For questions about Right-of-Way Work Permits, application requirements, or Township road work, please contact Suffield Township using the permit contact information listed above.

Portage County Reuse Center Opening

The Portage County Reuse Center is opening to the public.

Opening Date: Thursday, April 23
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location

3588 Mogadore Road
Kent, Ohio 44240

Regular Hours

The Reuse Center is open:

Mondays and Thursdays
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Closed on federal holidays

About the Reuse Center

The Portage County Reuse Center provides residents with access to free household and automotive products that have been safely collected and made available for reuse.

Materials and available items may change based on supply.

Public Access

All residents are welcome during open hours. Please follow posted guidelines to ensure a safe and organized experience for everyone.

Public Hearing Notice: Board of Zoning Appeals – May 5

The Suffield Township Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider a zoning variance request.

The hearing will take place on May 5 at 8:00 PM at the Suffield Township Community Room, located at 1256 Waterloo Road, Suffield, Ohio.

This hearing will address a request submitted by Joanna Rolenz regarding property located at 459 State Route 43, within an Industrial District.

The applicant is requesting approval to construct an attached garage onto the existing residence, with a proposed setback of 40 feet from the road. This request does not meet current zoning requirements. Under Section 421.3.C of the Suffield Township Zoning Resolution, the minimum required front yard depth in an Industrial District is 80 feet.

Because the proposed structure does not meet this requirement, a zoning variance is required and is subject to review and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Public Participation

All interested parties are encouraged to attend the hearing and provide input.

Public Hearing Notice: Board of Zoning Appeals – March 31

The Suffield Township Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider a zoning variance request.

The hearing will take place on March 31 at 8:00 PM at the Suffield Township Community Room, located at 1256 Waterloo Road.

This hearing will address a request submitted by Tim and Becky Corrick regarding their property located at 309 Pontius Road, Suffield, Ohio, within a Residential District.

The applicants are requesting permission to reside in a recreational camper during the construction of their new home. Under current township zoning regulations, living in a trailer or recreational camper is not a permitted use in a Residential District. Therefore, this request requires a zoning variance and is subject to approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The applicants have already obtained the necessary zoning permit for the construction of their home.

All interested parties are encouraged to attend the hearing and provide input.

Laugh at the Lake – An Evening of Dinner & Comedy

Get ready for a night of great food, great laughs, and great company at Laugh at the Lake, a special event presented by the Suffield League.

Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring first-class dining and live entertainment in a relaxed, fun atmosphere—all while supporting a wonderful local organization.

The evening will feature humor and storytelling from Jeff Blanchard & Friends, delivering laughs that are perfect for a night out with friends, family, or a date.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Location: St. Nicholas Hall
Tickets: $60 per person

Your ticket includes a full dinner and live comedy entertainment.

Tickets & More Information

Tickets are $60 and availability is limited.

Purchase Tickets Online

Laugh at the Lake is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a classy evening out while supporting the local community. Mark your calendar—you won’t want to miss this one!

Annual Soup & Chili Cook-Off – Join the Community Fun!

Come one & all! Join us for our Annual Soup & Chili Cook-Off — a true community tradition filled with great food, friendly competition, and a wonderful cause.

This year’s event is proudly sponsored by the Suffield Lions Club, Suffield League, and the Suffield Historical Society, all coming together to support our local community.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Location: Suffield Lions Club

E. Waterloo Rd.
(Next to Suffield Elementary)

Schedule:

5:30 PM — Doors Open for Contest Entries
6:00 PM — All-You-Can-Eat Begins

Admission & Donations

$5 Per Person – All-You-Can-Eat
Canned Food Donations Welcome

All proceeds and food donations will benefit the local food shelf, helping families in need throughout our community.

Enter the Cook-Off!

Do you have a prize-winning recipe? Enter your best Homemade Chili or Hearty Soup!

Compete for prizes, share your cooking talents, and stay to enjoy an evening of great food and fellowship.

For additional details, please contact:

Sally Knepp
Knepp Massage Solutions
330-221-4899
kneppmassagesolutions.com

You can also visit:
www.facebook.com/suffield.league

Suffield Township Holds Re-Organizational & Year-End Meetings

Suffield Township held its regular year-end meeting and re-organizational meeting on Monday, December 29th. Both meetings went smoothly as the Township completed year-end business and officially began the next term of service.

During the meeting, Tom Calcei and Jared Phillip were sworn in following their victories in the November election. Suffield Township appreciates their willingness to serve and looks forward to their continued work on behalf of our residents.

Photos from the swearing-in ceremony are included below.