The Sylvania Township Board of Trustees recognized the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Citizens Awards during its July 21 meeting and approved several personnel and administrative actions.

Township Administrator Oliver Turner introduced this year’s Distinguished Citizens Award recipients: Betty Bassett, Casey Nowicki and Keith Walker. According to their nomination letters, each of the recipients has made a significant impact on the community serving in leadership and volunteer roles through the years.

The Board of Trustees has presented the award since 2021 to honor Sylvania city and township residents whose volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on the community, often without public recognition. The award recognizes individuals who have given of themselves for the betterment of the community and fellow residents. Elected officials and individuals previously honored through the naming of a street, park or other public space are not eligible.

New position/hires

Trustees approved Road Superintendent Rob Nash’s recommendation to promote Jared Birt to foreman. Birt has worked for the township’s road department for the past six years.

The board also authorized Nash to advertise for a utility worker position and accepted A & J Landscape’s bid for the township’s leaf pickup program.

In other personnel action, trustees approved Police Chief Sarah Toth’s recommendation to hire Justin Hupp as administrative secretary.

New contracts

Trustees authorized Turner to enter into a contract with NEOGOV for software to manage payroll, benefits administration, timekeeping, recruitment, retention and related human resources functions. The new system is intended to improve accuracy and modernize township operations. Turner also received authorization to terminate agreements with the township’s current vendors for those services.

The board also authorized Turner to enter into a contract with the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office for legal services.

The next meeting of the Sylvania Township Board of Trustees is scheduled for 5 pm Aug. 4.

Zoning Commission

A representative from the Evergreen Real Estate Group, based in Chicago, addressed the Sylvania Township Zoning Commission during their regular meeting on July 8. The company requested a zone change from R-5, multi-family residential planned unit development, to R-5, multi-family residential, for five properties located on Crossleigh Court. Plans to develop a multi-unit senior housing facility on three of the properties were presented and approved. The issue will go before the Sylvania Township Board of Trustees at the Aug. 4 meeting.
A property at 8228 Silica Rd. was also rezoned from R-A, low density residential to M-1, light industrial.