​OHIO BURN BAN

Ohio has an open burn ban in effect during the months of March, April, May, October, and November between the hours of 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

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JUDSON ROAD BRIDGE CLOSURE UPDATE

The Portage County Engineer’s Office closed the Judson Road Bridge over the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad in Franklin Township on January 14, 2025. The harsh winter has accelerated the deterioration of the bridge deck and superstructure. Over the last several weeks, our bridge engineers have been evaluating potential repair options, and unfortunately, it has been concluded that the bridge must stay closed in the interim, while our major rehabilitation project commences with construction this summer. Portage County Engineer, Larry Jenkins, said that the Engineer’s Office was successful in obtaining Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding through District 7 in 2024 to help offset the cost of the bridge superstructure rehabilitation and deck replacement project. The Engineer’s Office is scheduled to advertise for bids in early Spring 2025 and have the replacement completed in the Fall of 2025. The total construction cost is currently estimated at $730,000, and the Commissioners accepted $314,800 in grant funding from OPWC in 2024. The completed plans are currently under review by the railroad to ensure there will be no disruptions to the rail service. If there are any questions about the project, please contact Mike Collins, Project Manager, in the Engineer’s Office at 330-296-6411.

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BRUSH CHIPPING

Chipping begins the first week of April and continues the first week of June, August, and October.

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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP RECYCLING SCHEDULE

Click here for the recycling schedule to see when your recycled materials will be picked up, plus other great information.

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​​ZONING BUSINESS

Effective Immediately, zoning business is by appointment only.  Our Zoning Inspector does not have set office hours due to his varied responsibilities.  Please call 330-673-2194 extension 2 to set up an appointment with Mr. Ciccozzi.

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HUDSON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Hudson Road Improvements have been broken up into several phases:  The final stretch is going to be repaired and paved next summer, but bike lanes will not be added right away.  Eventually, bike lanes may be added to the Kent city limits.

 

CITY OF KENT PARAMEDICINE PROGRAM

A Community Paramedicine Provider (CPP) is a paramedic/RN that works to increase access to primary and preventive care and increase the quality of life for the residents in our community.  A CPP can assess your home for safety hazards, provide health assessments and chronic disease monitoring, coordinate health services, provide referrals to community resources, provide hospital follow up care, organization of new and current medications, and educate on identified health care goals.  For more information, please contact Sara Slanina at 330-676-7393 or for more information please click here.

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OPEN BURNING IS PROHIBITED IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP!!

If you are old enough, you might remember that most homes had burn barrels where you could burn trash, leaves, or just about anything you wanted to get rid of.  Times have certainly changed.  The township does not allow open burning.  Click here for a very informative video that explains the reasons why open burning is so bad for you and your neighborhood.

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FIREWORKS

Even though state law allows consumers to discharge 1.4G fireworks on certain dates and times, political subdivisions (villages, cities, townships or counties) can ban the use of fireworks within their boundaries.  The Franklin Township Trustees have elected to continue to PROHIBIT the discharging of fireworks in Franklin Township.  For more information, please visit our Fire Inspectors page.

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RAVENNA ROAD BRIDGE UPDATE

Effective 12/21/2017 Ravenna Road Bridge # 248 was closed over the Norfolk Southern Rail Road Tracks  (Near Towner's Woods in Franklin Township.)  This was an indefinite closure until this week when the Portage County Engineer's Office made an announcement that work will begin next year.  They are also asking for public comments and ideas.  To read the press release and learn how you can provide a comment, click here.

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PORTAGE COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT POP UP FOOD PANTRY​

What We Do:  We have partnered with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to host a pop-up food pantry on the first Thursday of each month from 1pm - 3pm (excluding holidays). Pop-ups are located at the Portage County Health District, 999 E. Main Street, Ravenna next to Marc's. Pantries are drive-thru style during the winter months, and market style during warmer months. 

Who We Serve: Our pop-up pantry serves Portage County residents who meet the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank income requirements. However, we aim to never turn anyone away. In fact, we are now the largest pop-up pantry in eight counties, and we served 1,589 families in 2024!

Further Assistance:​

Our pop-up food pantry is just one of the many amazing community resources in Portage County. Agencies that may be able to provide assistance or connect you with services are listed here:

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                                                          Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County

                                                          The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County is planning to start holding

                                                          open meetings for Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plans.                                                                                              If you are interested in participating or learning, click here.        

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Are you ready to recover?  

Call the Portage Addiction Helpline at 330-678-3006.  Treatment works and is available.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin.  Fentanyl has been found in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other prohibited drugs.  Fentanyl test strips and drug testing education helps people be aware of the danger of fentanyl presence and their risk of overdose.  The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County is sponsoring a program that provides for fentanyl test strips being made available upon request.  The strips will allow users to test heroin or other drugs for fentanyl which will prevent or at least reduce the number of overdoses.  The information and a few test strips are available at Town Hall 2 located at 155 S. Water St. Kent.

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               Also, click here if you are looking for an  Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in the area.  

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Are you looking for something to do? 

Click here for recreational opportunities in Portage County.  Click on the Portage County tab, and then click on any activity that sounds like something you feel like doing!

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Don't be Victimized by Phone or Email Scammers

There has been a surge in scam phone calls and emails in the area requesting money from the person being solicited.  Here are signs of a scam:

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• Being asked to wire money to a stranger or friend in need

• Being selected for a mystery shopping job, especially if you never applied

• Pressure to “act now!”

• Being asked to buy a prepaid money card

• Sending money in advance to secure or insure a loan

• Winning a contest you’ve never heard of or entered

• Having to pay a fee to receive your “prize”

• Requests for your personal information

• Requests for a large down-payment

• A company that refuses to provide written information

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Township Office has regular office hours of 1-4pm Monday through Friday, and the garage and zoning department will be open by appointment only. 

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Contact David Akerley at the Road Department at 330-673-6222 or 330-673-2194 ext. 1

 

For Zoning issues contact Joe Ciccozzi at 330-673-2194 ext. 2 

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If you would like the Trustees to address a concern or question at the meeting, please call the Township Hall at 330-673-2194 between the hours of 1- 4 pm on the Monday before or the day of the meeting or email the township offices at franklintwpadm@gmail.com before 3 pm on the day of the meeting.  Please include in the subject line: For Trustee Meeting.  If you would like minutes of the meeting, please communicate that also.  Draft minutes will be available approximately one-two weeks after the meeting.

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Need Wood Chips?

Call the Township Garage @ 330-673-6222.  Free delivery.  Township Residents only.

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