BRISTOL — Because of concerns about inadequate staffing at the fire department, township trustees are looking at what would be involved to form a fire district.

Trustees at their meeting Tuesday approved having Chip Comstock, an attorney and fire chief with the Western Reserve Joint Fire District in Poland, about possibly establishing a fire district with Bristol and other neighboring fire departments.

Trustee Chairman Doug Seemann said Bristol Fire Department has been facing challenges like many other fire departments with not having enough staff. The department often relies on mutual aid from other communities, such as Champion.

Meetings have taken place between Bristol and Champion officials over mutual aid, with Champion trustees earlier this month voting to begin charging a fee for mutual aid service to Bristol, Warren Township and other communities.

“He (Comstock) can help us with what would be involved in forming a fire district. We need to look at some type of contract system,” Seemann said.

He also said trustees will attend a seminar on fire districts March 26, but discussion on a joint fire district is in the preliminary stages.

In other business, Trustee Rhonda Snyder said she wants to see the former fire auxiliary re-established to provide assistance to the fire department. The auxiliary was disbanded more than 15 years ago.

Snyder said she already has hosted one meeting to see if there is interest in reviving the auxiliary, and another meeting is planned.

In other matters, Seemann said trustees recently had a survey done on the condition of township roads and rating which are the best and worst.

“The survey rated the condition of the roads. While there are roads that are okay, there are others that ‘Oh boy, we need to get work done on this road,'” Seemann said.

He said two roads that need immediate attention are Mahan Denman and Oakfield North roads.

Seemann said an Ohio Public Works Commission grant has been sought for work on Oakfield North.

“We need to make sure we are getting these roads done this year,” Seemann said.

He said the two roads’ conditions are described as severe in the survey.

Mahan Denman Road from Hyde Oakfield North to the dead end is described as disintegrating with large cracks and large potholes, and a ditch on the west side has been eroded away.

The survey states the road is in the worst structural condition in the township and needs full ditch reconstruction, base repair, edge stabilization and surface replacement.

Oakfield North Road from state Route 88 to Hyde Oakfield Road is described as having potholes that need to be repaired to keep the road passable and logs in ditches that need to be removed.

The survey states the OPWC grant should be approved in May, with construction to be done in the fall that would include rebuilding the worst section of the road, stabilizing the drainage and providing a new cold mix structure.

The recommendation is Mahan Denman needs immediate structural repairs, but Oakfield North should receive the grant-supported reconstruction, and in 2027, trustees should seek a grant for work on Oakfield North from Hyde Oakfield to Mahan Denman North.

Officials said there are other roads that need berm work done and others that need potholes filled through chip and seal work.

The survey data shows most of the township roads have manageable wear but have several intersections and culverts that need attention. The gravel roads remain serviceable with grading and spot repairs.

The survey also shows the cemeteries and parking lots show moderate deterioration.