CANFIELD TOWNSHIP — Electric aggregation letters topped the Canfield Township agenda for its April 22 meeting. Township residents were concerned about two separate letters they received about their program.

“I had 30 calls in one day,” Canfield Township Administrator Keith Rogers said.

One of the letters in question came from NOPEC (Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council), which said township residents would continue in the electric aggregate program beginning June 1 with a price of 8.49 cents per kWh. The second letter came from Ohio Edison, and it stated township residents would be on the Ohio Edison plan beginning May 1 at a rate of around 7.50 cents per kWh.

The two letters were somewhat confusing, but trustees explained what happened. When trustees heard the electric rates were going to nearly double this summer, they searched for aggregate programs to get the best rate. The current rate is through Independent Energy Consultants at 4.92 cents per kWh. That rate and program ends Wednesday.

Since the old program ends Wednesday and the new NOPEC program begins June 1, there was a one-month lag in the aggregate program. That is the reason for the Ohio Edison letter stating aggregate participants will fall under Ohio Edison’s price for the month of May. On June 1, they will automatically be switched to the NOPEC program unless they opt out.

“It was a timing issue,” Chairman Brian Governor said. “Residents don’t have to do anything to continue on the aggregate program for electricity. The new aggregate period will run from June 1, 2025, through the end of May 2026.”

Township Fiscal Officer Denise Joseph said, “June 1, the electric prices will increase.”

During public comment, trustees heard from resident Judy McCauley about a nuisance property. She said the house next door has become an eyesore and is driving down property values.

“Trash increases on the property (4900 South Turner Road),” McCauley said. “I’m 81 and still maintain my own house and lawn, but spend a lot of time cleaning up trash that blew onto my property. When you make your house so embarrassing that neighbors can’t sit outside and enjoy the neighborhood, it’s not good.”

Governor said he was familiar with the property owned by Alex Izquierdo. He said DeCapua has kept him updated on the situation.

DeCapua said Izquierdo is a repeat offender. She asked trustees if they wanted to pursue a junk / debris abatement. All three trustees agreed to go ahead with the process. DeCapua said she would send out a letter with a definite deadline.

“If he doesn’t comply, then we can move ahead with the abatement,” she said. “We will be able to hire a company to remove the junk and debris and put a lien on his property.”

Resident David Knarr lives down the road from the property and said, “The whole place is disgusting.”

In other business:

• Trustees approved an update to its Use of Social Media Policy to permit designated and authorized staff members to post information to the township’s social media platforms.

• Trustees approved Five Starr Cleaning of Canfield to clean the second floor of dust from recent ceiling and plaster repairs, in preparation for painting at a cost not to exceed $1,500.

• Trustees approved the ODOT 2025 road salt contracts with an agreement to purchase 1,000 tons, broken down to 892 tons for the township and 108 tons for Canfield Local School District, who will pay for their share.

• Approval was given to advertise on the township website and social media platform for the 2025 Township Paving Program. The bids will be opened on May 27 during the regular trustees meeting. Bids will be due by 2 p.m. on May 27.

• Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Adrian Amedia to the Canfield Board of Zoning Appeals.