KINSMAN — Township trustees have met with department heads to plan for the new year and are seeing what each department’s needs are, as well as reviewing possible pay adjustments for two police officials.

Trustee Chairman Greg Leonhard said department heads met with him and trustees Jamin Banning and Loren Hopkins to review the past year’s accomplishments and what is ahead in 2026.

Trustees said the township’s finances do not allow for raises for part-time police officers, but they are reviewing possible pay increases for the part-time police chief and part-time assistant chief. The pay for those two positions will be addressed at the Feb. 9 meeting.

Leonhard said the trustees are also in the process of interviewing for a new fiscal officer as Fiscal Officer Marge Crupi is leaving in May.

He said officials would like to have someone named in April so Crupi can work with them as the person gets familiar with the position.

Leonhard said there was a carryover in the general fund from last year, but he said the budgets are “tight for 2026” and officials will watch their spending closely.

Trustees said in meeting with each department they noted:

• The fire department received $18,000 in grants in 2025 and is expecting some in 2026 for turnout gear. Other needs are for hoses and airpacks. Plans also are being discussed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the fire department such as an open house and other events.

• The road department will address three areas for resurfacing this year: Ward Christy Road and Ray Stateline Road, south of Hull South Road, and the approach area at the causeway at Lakeshore Drive.

• The police department hosted various fundraisers in 2025, raising $8,023 for Shop with a Cop, and hosted Christmas events to get gifts for local seniors. Grant money will be used to buy police protective vests.

• The zoning department will continue to address problem properties in the community. Several residents have complained of a property off State Street with junk vehicles, debris and excessive noise.

At the organizational meeting, Leonhard was named trustee chairman and Banning as vice chairman.

Monthly meetings will be at 6 p.m. the second Monday of each month.

Leonhard and Banning will serve as representatives to the volunteer fire department dependency board with fire Chief Tyler Elser and Dale Goist as fire department members and Janice Ellwood as the public member of the board. Ellwood will serve as board chairwoman and Elser as secretary,

Also, trustees:

• Approved having the Trumbull County engineer’s office submit an application for phase 6 of the sidewalk project, with the township agreeing to pay the local 20% share, which will be donated by the Friends of Kinsman.

• Signed an agreement with the volunteer fire department at $1,570 per month, which is the same amount as last year.

• Requested Christine Davis, township legal counsel, to draw up a contract for the lease of the fire department space to house Kinsman police vehicles and equipment at a proposed rate of $200 per month.

• Will submit applications to the Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste Management District for Go Green, scrap tire and site improvement grants,. The site improvement grant can be used for concrete under the recycling bins or for driveway improvements.