On Tuesday, June 23rd, the Township received information about a protest to be held regarding the thin blue line flag flown at the corner of Route 82 and Brandywine.  Township staff immediately conferred with the Summit County Sheriff.  Given the nature of the posts made regarding the potential protest, as well as in consideration of protests held in other areas of the country, Trustees Mazzola and Reville felt it was in the best interest of the Township to remove the one flag from the intersection, for at least the time being.  This was not done, as has been indicated, to cave in to a few protestors.  Nor was this intended, in any way, to indicate that the Township does not support or respect police departments and their individual officers. Rather, the decision was made based on the best information available, the perceived credibility and impact of the threat (particularly, the prospective impact on traffic on 82), and, above all, the desire on the part of the trustees to keep our residents and officers safe and maintain community tranquility.  Each of the trustees fully supports all law enforcement officers in our communities.  

As was to be expected, many residents expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the removal of the flag.  As elected officials, we always strive to be responsive to the collective voice of our residents, while respecting the right of all to peacefully voice dissent.  So, taking this opportunity to do more research and trying to take the best approach to protect all of our residents, while listening to all feedback we received, we saw this as an opportunity to update our flag posture at all of our buildings-one that would continue to show our support not only for police, but, also, for Fire/EMS and our military.

After talking with and gaining the support of the Sheriff's Office and Macedonia Fire Chief Brian Ripley, we will, beginning on Friday, June 26th, fly the red blue line American flag at both the Town Hall and Safety Building facilities.  These American flags encompass our support not just for our law enforcement officers, but, additionally, for our fire and EMS first responders, while being inclusive of all of our heroes.  Additionally, at the corner of Brandywine and route 82, you will see the Armed Forces Flag being flown in support of all those who serve in our miltary branches.

While we recognize that we are living in challenging times, we also want to make it clear that, despite reprehensible, criminal actions perpetrated by a small number of officers, we are proud and supportive of our first responders and military and want to ensure we show appropriate and deserved gratitude for all those who devote their lives to protecting us as individuals and protecting the rights we cherish in this country.  This week has given us the opportunity to strengthen that support, while coming together as a community, and for that we can all be thankful.  We all want a safe and peaceful community; one that is defined by solidarity, and not division.

Please be well and stay safe.

Russ Mazzola, Trustee

Rich Reville, Vice-Chair/Trustee

As of today (June 25th), 82% of the Township's residents have completed the Census!  Thank you for this!  This is vitally important, given that federal funding allocations are driven by Census population data.  If you have not already completed it for your household, please do so!  You can complete it by mail, by phone, or online.  For additional information, please visit the official Census 2020 site: https://2020census.gov/en.html.  

The North Hills Water District Board will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 24th, at 3 pm, via Zoom.  The agenda may be downloaded here:  https://www.northfieldcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/North-Hills-Water-District-Agenda-06242020.pdf. 

In the interest of continued staff and resident safety, Township facilities will remain closed to the public for the entirety of the month of July.  Staff will continue to be available, during normal working hours, to address resident concerns and questions via phone and e-mail.  In limited circumstances, in-person appointments will, also, be allowed for resident requests that cannot effectively be addressed via other means.  Residents securing appointments will be expected to wear masks, which will be provided, while in Township facilities.  Please call (330) 467-7646 with any questions.  

The Northfield Center Township Board of Trustees will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, June 24, at 4 pm.  The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Springwood/Natalie Road Re-Construction Project.  This meeting is open to the public and will be held via Webex.  The agenda may be downloaded here:  https://www.northfieldcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Agenda-Trustee-Emergency-Meeting-June-24-2020.pdf.