JOHNSTON — Township trustees have approved returning the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office outpost to the VFW Hall.

Trustee Dominic Marchese, who was marking his last trustee meeting Monday after serving 24 years, said when Sheriff Thomas Altiere was serving, there was an outpost in the township. The outpost was closed after Altiere’s term in office.

Marchese said a sign will be posted letting the public know that the sheriff’s office will be returning there for deputies to use as office space for completing paperwork or taking a bathroom break while on road patrol.

“Sheriff Mike Wilson has talked to us about reopening the outpost, which the trustees agree should be done. He sees the value in having that. I feel blessed that at my last meeting, the sheriff’s department outpost will be opening again,” Marchese said.

He said with the outpost, the deputies will be better able to respond to calls in the north and eastern parts of the county, including Johnston, Kinsman and Mecca and other surrounding townships.

“There will be more visibility of the sheriff department here when they use that building,” Marchese said.

He said the zoning department will move its offices to the town hall north of the VFW, and the former zoning offices will be used by the sheriff’s office. Also housed in the building is the senior center.

“This will be a place where any of them can stop. We appreciate the support from Johnston in allowing us to have that outpost again. The support you give us we will give back to the township,” Wilson said.

Others from the sheriff’s office at the meeting were Joseph Jones, Doug Bobovnyik and Dale McDorman.

Fire Chief Scott Gardner said he has also noticed more visibility by the sheriff’s office in Johnston and neighboring communities.

MARCHESE RECOGNIZED

Several officials and residents thanked Marchese for his service to the township. He was presented a certificate of appreciation from the trustees for his service and a proclamation from the Ohio House from State Rep. Dave Thomas, R-Jefferson, who is Marchese’s grandson.

“For me this is bittersweet. I will miss the trustees and the employees,” he said.

Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy said Marchese not only served as a Johnston trustee, but also served on the Trumbull County Senior Levy advisory board, from which Marchese also stepped down.

“I have known Dominic for many years. He has been a public servant for most of his life. He inspired me by all that he did. I went to him for advice. The people of Trumbull County are better off because of your service,” Malloy said.

Malloy said Johnston Township has led by example with Marchese and the other trustees.

“You run a great township and you take care of the community,” he said.

Trustee Chairman Davis Denman said Marchese has served with him all 22 years that he has been in office.

“While at times we may have disagreed, we were not disagreeable. Dominic had so much knowledge about the township. Dominic always did what was best for the township. He will be greatly missed,” Denman said.

Fiscal officer Sharon Carlson and trustee James Carnes also thanked Marchese for all he did to help them over the years.

Kim Starcher of the Johnston Activities Committee, said Marchese supported the group, which completed its first year of hosting community events such as an Easter egg hunt, cookies with Santa Claus and a Veterans Day event.

Marchese praised his replacement, Jared Cain, who won the Nov. 4 election.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Cain said.

Marchese made the motion to adjourn the meeting.