Fire levy
According to Sylvania Township Fire Chief Chris Nye and Township Administrator Oliver Turner, the 2.5 mill fire levy on the Nov. 5 ballot will meet the increased demands of overlapping incidents and transports with effective responses providing high-quality services for citizens. The funds would enhance the current quality of service and provide additional staffing to respond to incidents. To accomplish that goal, recruitment, retention, and cross-training, of personnel is paramount. In addition, a conservative building and fleet maintenance program is planned and will extend the service life of buildings and the fleet.
There has been a 28.18 percent increase in incidents, a 62.63 percent occurance of overlapping incidents in 2023, and a 57.7 percent increase in transports with a 15 percent increase in line staffing during 2018 to 2023.
To meet the growing demands, three firefighter/paramedics need to be hired in 2025; three in 2027; and three in 2029, bringing the total number of line firefighter/paramedics to 78.
A comparison of the Sylvania Township Fire Department with other Ohio departments of relative size places the local department in the middle of incidents, transports,  staffing, and salaries. STFD is also comparable to local departments. The 2024 cost per capita for Fire/EMS services ranks Perrysburg Township as highest at $449.66; Maumee at $349.27; Sylvania at $319.81; Toledo at $297.22; Oregon at $270.13; Springfield Township at $268.07; and Perrysburg city at $236.10.
The 2.5 mill continuous levy will cost $88 per $100,000 of the Lucas County Auditor’s estimated value of the home. No additional fire levies will be on the ballot for the next six years if the proposed levy is adopted.
Contract approved
The Board of Township Trustees approved Road Superintendent Rob Nash’s request to enter into a contract with Klumm Brothers Excavating & Demolition, LLC for $84,348 for the 2024 Sylvania Township Sylvania Metamora Road Sidewalk Project.
Outdated equipment donated
The trustees gave Sylvania Township Fire Chief Chris Nye permission to donate 12 Motorola XTS5000 800 MHz portable two-way radios, battery chargers, batteries, belt clips, and compatible hand microphones to Outdoor Sylvania Community Parks, which has identified a need for communication equipment. Chief Nye said the equipment is no longer public safety compliant.
Police hires
Police Chief Sarah Toth’s request to certify the eligibility list of potential new police officers was granted and she was authorized to hire six of the seven officers on the list.
Trustee appointment
After an executive session, the trustees announced that 17 candidates had submitted applications to fill the seat vacated by John Crandall the end of June. Trustees Neal Mahoney and John Jennewine will select a short list of applicants, which will then be screened by Township Administrator Oliver Turner. That qualified list of candidates will be interviewed on July 16 before the 5 pm Board of Trustee meeting. According to Jennewine, the selection criteria will include, among other things, each candidate’s community involvement, past board experiences, and an ability to express an independent point of view.
Distinguished Citizen Award
A deadline of Sept. 29 has been set for the nomination of residents to be considered for the Sylvania Township Distinguished Citizen Service Award.
The award is designed to recognize residents of  Sylvania, the Township and community of northwest Ohio whose voluntary efforts have improved the community but have largely been undertaken quietly and without recognition. The Township wants to shine a light on the high-impact volunteers who have given of themselves for the betterment of the community and their fellow citizens.
The award program specifically excludes elected officials from consideration or anyone who may have already been honored by the naming of a street, park, or other public space for them.
Anyone from Sylvania Township or the city of Sylvania who would like to nominate a person to be considered for the honor should direct the information to Oliver Turner, Sylvania Township Administrator. Turner can be reached via email at oturner@sylvaniatownship.com or by mailing or dropping off a nomination at the Sylvania Township Administration Building, 4927 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd.
Zoning variances approved
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted variances for landscaping requirements in the parking areas of ten and five percent landscape coverage to be reduced to zero percent for 5625 Central Ave. at the July 1 meeting. Planning and Zoning Manager Daryl Graus and his staff recommended the variances with the condition that additional landscaping be installed within the rear property abutting residential properties. Brown Honda, part of Glenbrook Automotive Group, intends to renovate the existing main building; demolish the existing showroom and used car building; add a new showroom and free-standing car wash.
The BZA approved an exception and a variance for the property owner of 5629 Webster Dr. who wishes to add a one-car garage to the home constructed in 1927. As this was before the enactment of zoning in Sylvania Township in 1956, the property is considered a legal non-conforming, lot-of-record. Sylvania Township Zoning requires that an addition receive approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The board also approved the variance requested for a three-foot side yard setback from the required 10 feet.