Trending
HOWLAND -- The deadline to fall into line with a requirement that made headlines throughout the state in 2025 is getting closer, but Howland will not have to worry about it anymore, thanks to a pair of resolutions.
Trustees at last week's meeting approved accepting the Ohio Emergency Management Agency Fiscal Year 2023 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant, worth $12,800 with a $3,200 local match.
They also approved adopting the township's cybersecurity policy, putting the township in compliance with Ohio Revised Code Section 9.64, as part of House Bill 96.
That particular ORC section requires local governments and jurisdictions to establish a cybersecurity policy by Sept. 30, 2025, with the intent of strengthening the protection of public records, sensitive information, information systems and technology threats from cybersecurity threats, unauthorized access and operational risks.
The resolution states the policy fits the ORC's framework by establishing guidance and standards in relation to access control, system security, data protection, incident response, employee awareness and training and vendor management, as well as cybersecurity governance.
Administrator James Pantalone said cybersecurity was a large topic across the state, and officials had a deadline of June 1 to implement the policy.
"We'll utilize the funds with the previous grant to implement this with new equipment, authentication information, authentication, information data duo, multi-factor -- a lot of I.T. stuff," Pantalone said. "The department heads today, we had a meeting, our I.T. kind of gave us the first view of what we'll be moving to."
Pantalone said the move includes annual training for employees and onboarding training for new employees moving forward.
In other action, trustees:
• Approved removing Ian York from the township's payroll, effective May 1, 2026, as he will not be returning.
• Approved hiring Alexander Rich as a full-time firefighter/EMT, effective May 2, at $21.50 an hour.
• Approved the acceptance and payment of a $5,000 Enbridge Safe Community First Responder Program Grant.
• Approved rehiring Brandon Null as a variable-hour, part-time seasonal employee in the public works department, effective May 11, at $13.24 per hour with no benefits and as needed.
• Approved hiring Nicholas Spatar as a variable-hour, part-time seasonal employee in the public works department, effective May 18, $13.24 per hour with no benefits and as needed.
• Approved declaring 13 parcels of land as nuisances.