Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Entry-Level Police Officer Examination
The Commission was set to address the civil service examination process for entry-level police officers — the test that determines who lands on the eligibility list for hiring. How it's run shapes who gets a shot at joining the Stow Police Department.
Lateral Transfer Police Officer Process
The Commission was set to take up the lateral transfer process, which lets experienced officers from other departments join Stow's force without going through the full entry-level exam. It's a tool departments use to fill vacancies faster.
Hudson Drive Extension water line
A 40-year local contractor is trying to open a new business at 3691 Hudson Drive but needs water service. He says city staff and council members have been helping and hopes to open this year.
Four new firefighters to cover retirements
The fire department is losing people to retirement and council just approved hiring four replacements. That keeps staffing and response times where residents expect them.
Zoning abatement cost recovery
As code enforcement steps up, the city pays Allscapes up to $49,000 to clean up problem properties — then bills owners through county special assessments, not liens.
Ambulance Replacement Purchase (Ordinance 2026-162)
The Fire Department is getting a new ambulance at $298,449, bought without public bidding because it's a sole-source purchase. Delivery takes about 24 months.
Assistant Fire Chief selection and fire department succession
Michael Lang Jr. was confirmed as fire chief and Mark Kozak as assistant chief, succeeding retiring Chief Stone. The mayor swears them in Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Station One.
Drive-thru Safety Regulations
Stow just became the fifth Ohio city to require drive-thru escape lanes after state lawmakers dragged their feet following a tragic 2024 shooting. This new rule forces fast-food spots and banks with drive-thrus to give drivers a way out if things go south.
E-bike safety rules
Stow has logged nearly 10 car-versus-e-bike crashes this year, none serious. The city already has age and helmet rules; speed on the county-run Bike and Hike Trail is out of the city's hands. Safety education materials may be shared at community events.
Electric bicycle and sidewalk rules
Council updated rules for e-bikes and riding on sidewalks, with improved helmet language for young riders.
Fire equipment funding increase
The fire department needs turnout gear for seven new firefighters joining by year's end. The committee sent a $35,000 budget increase to council the same night.
Emergency generator and preparedness for vulnerable residents
The city wants a backup generator so the senior community center can shelter vulnerable residents during power outages. A diesel quick-disconnect unit could also replace rented event generators; costs range roughly $50,000-$400,000 and the purchase will go to Finance.
Emergency backup generator for senior center
A new generator keeps the community/senior center running during outages, paired with a September 25 event and a Rotary welfare-check program for vulnerable seniors.
School Resource Officers
The part-time SRO position remains unfilled after a year of failed searches; the lack of health care benefits for part-timers is the main deterrent, and three candidates will be interviewed next week.
Fireworks complaints and enforcement
Baranek reported heavy neighborhood smoke and even aerial fireworks over Route 91 on July 4th. Police and fire will weigh in on how the current ordinance is working; enforcement will focus on genuinely dangerous situations.
Resident's zoning and drainage inspection dispute
A Benwood Drive resident told council he's spent a month trying to get the city to inspect zoning and drainage problems on his property, and only got a response after filing a public records request. He wants a consistent, functional process for rule-following residents.
Indigent burial provisions (Ordinance 2026-113)
State law forces Stow to bury indigent residents who die here, and the city can no longer cap what it pays funeral homes at $700–$800. Expect higher city costs — the state reimbursement fund ran dry five months into the fiscal year — and the city will likely steer toward cremation.
Fire promotional exam question disputes
Candidates on the fire promotional exam protested two test questions. The Commission ruled both questions were flawed and accepted multiple answers, so no candidate is penalized for the ambiguity.
Deferral of Ten Firefighter Hires Amid Budget Deficit
The council was scheduled to consider delaying the hiring of ten firefighters because the city projects an operational deficit of more than $3 million for fiscal year 2025/26. No vote was taken because the meeting was canceled, so staffing plans remain unresolved.
Scams targeting seniors
Members swapped stories of fake traffic citations, Geek Squad bills, and BJ's membership scams hitting seniors. The library offers informal scam education, and Law Director Drew Reilly has done scam-prevention programs at the senior center.
Senior outreach and public information gaps
Commissioners raised the issue of seniors who can no longer attend the center, including shut-ins and those in assisted living, and proposed a roundtable with facility activities directors. Specific goals remain to be set at the next meeting.
Avery's Law — rewritten dangerous dog ordinance
Council replaced the old dangerous/vicious dog law with new nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dog provisions on an emergency basis.
Tree limbs blocking traffic signs and sightlines
A school bus driver flagged overgrown limbs hiding traffic signs on Graham Road West and blocking sightlines near the Fishcreek senior center. The city has three tree-trimming crews working now, in the last year of a private contractor deal.
Solicitor complaints in neighborhoods
Council members reported complaints about solicitors ignoring the 6 p.m. cutoff, and will put solicitation rules on a future committee agenda.
Update to Stow's dangerous and nuisance dog law (Avery's Law)
Council tightened rules on dogs running at large, cruelty to companion animals, and animal noises — a response to resident complaints about barking and roosters. Enforcement will fall mainly to police, who must meet high legal thresholds before citing.
Rising emergency call volume
Emergency calls to Stow's seven assisted living facilities keep climbing, many without transports, and Chief Stone says the department cannot support another facility. The city may use documented service impact to deny future conditional-use applications, including one just inquired about near Steels Corners.
Police department staffing flexibility
The city has three police vacancies and now has certified eligibility lists to hire from. The commission learned only 10 of 43 test-takers made the list after written and physical fitness testing.
Business operating without certificate of occupancy at 3310 Kent Road
A tenant business on Kent Road has been open about a year without the certificate of occupancy the city requires, meaning building and fire inspections never signed off on the space. The city is giving the operator a two-week window to complete the application before fines start.
New magistrate for Stow Municipal Court judge's side
Judge Zibritosky is entitled to her own magistrate under state law, and the city didn't budget for it. The $80,000 amendment covers Stow's 60% share; Summit County pays the rest.
Police Taser 10 Upgrade
Police completed training on new Taser 10 devices, a tech upgrade aimed at making less-lethal force safer for both officers and the public.
Property maintenance violation at 4284 Elmhurst Drive
A home's front porch has been piled with junk, trash and stored materials since January despite three city notices. The owners didn't show for the hearing, so the board ordered a seven-day cleanup with fines of up to $150 per week if they ignore it.
Police Vehicle Fleet Replacement
Four new police cruisers — three Durango Pursuits and one Explorer Interceptor — will replace aging units at about $221,857 total.
Free Smoke Detector Program
The fire department, with the Red Cross, installs up to three free 10-year battery smoke detectors per Stow home. Residents can contact Firefighter Mel through the city website.
Blue envelope program implementation
This program gives drivers with disabilities a packet that helps police understand their communication needs during traffic stops. Packets are only available at Summit DD, few people know about it, and only one Stow officer has had the related training — the commission is pushing for wider local availability and police buy-in.
Solicitor permit fee increase
Commercial solicitors would pay $100 instead of $45, since background checks alone cost the city $75. Residents still get vetted, badged solicitors at the door.
Council President's ICE-related social media posts
Multiple residents demanded censure or resignation of Council President Kyle Herman over posts sharing ICE watch training from his official page; others defended the posts as lawful rights education. One resident asked Stow to follow Akron in passing a resolution opposing ICE operations.
Volunteer visits to disabled nursing home residents
A Summit DD coordinator wants volunteers to visit disabled nursing home residents who've lost transportation to their day programs and are getting no enrichment. The commission will hear her proposal in February.
Helping Hands fire relief
The Helping Hands program is helping five Stow families who lost homes to December fires, and community donations keep coming in.
Additional police officer to reach 46 sworn officers
The hire was already in the 2026 budget and aims to keep more officers on the road, improve health and time off under 12-hour shifts, and raise minimum staffing.
City jail usage questioned
Feldman asked the new police chief to revisit whether Stow's own little-used jail could house prisoners instead of paying Macedonia. Prior studies say running it locally costs more, but she agreed to look again.
Summit County Drug Unit vape shop raids in Stow
Search warrants were served on three Stow vape stores December 17 after complaints about illegal drug sales and sales to juveniles. Drugs, a firearm, and cash were seized; no arrests yet, and charges may follow.