POLAND TOWNSHIP — Most of last week’s Poland Township meeting involved officials thanking trustee Joanne Wollet for her 12 years of service since the meeting was her final one.

She did not run for reelection in the November election because she wants to spend more time with family.

One by one, officials at the meeting spoke of Wollet and how dedicated she was.

“A few years ago we were getting the nature trail ready and Joanne was out in the park pulling weeds,” said Park Director Ken Filicky. “It is the kind of dedication Joanne had for the park. On behalf of the park, we want to thank Joanne for a job well done.”

Police Chief Greg Wilson also spoke highly of Wollet and how she helped his department.

“I want you to know you’ve changed a lot of people’s lives here,” Wilson said. “After you hired me, we promoted a detective sergeant, a sergeant, eight officers and three part-time officers, all in a period of three years. Two things you said to me have stuck in my brain. You said we can never have too many cops, and tax dollars should be used for serving the taxpayers.”

Fellow trustee Ed Kempers said he recalled one thing that stood out when he became trustee.

“We had a welcome to Poland sign coming in from New Middletown,” he said. “The flowers around the sign were looking bad, but you (Joanne) took care of it. You have always thought outside the box and never quit.”

Poland Township Administrator Mark Covell said, “I googled ‘public servant’ and Joanne’s picture came up. She is what a public servant is all about. She is what this community is all about.”

Trustee Eric Ungaro had a simple, straightforward comment when he said to Wollet, “I just appreciate your friendship.”

Wollet was presented with a plaque for her 12 years of service.

“It was a difficult decision to not run again,” She said. “But Poland Township is in great hands.”

She will be replaced by Frank DeMain, who received the most votes ouf of six candidates in the Nov. 4 election. Kempers received the second-most votes to retain his seat.

In other business, trustees unanimously agreed to donate $1,000 to Mahoning County Common PleasCourt Judge John Durkin’s Drug Court, which is doing a documentary on the opiate epidemic.

“This board has always been proactive when it comes to the opiate epidemic,” said Trustee Ungaro. “The county prosecutor gave us a way to donate the opiate settlement funds to a nonprofit.”