Development News for Tallmadge, Ohio

Talmadge Library to Undergo Significant Improvements

Councilmember Epstein provided an update on the library town hall meeting she attended on May 16th. The library plans to add five study rooms, improve the community room, and create a quiet area for children. While these improvements are some time away, they are expected to greatly enhance the library's offerings. The library director offered to give a presentation to the council, which Epstein suggested could be aired on YouTube and social media to inform the public. Epstein expressed excitement about these improvements for Talmadge.

Summit Emergency Communications Center Updates Council on Virtual Assistant 'Ava'

The Summit Emergency Communications Center presented on Arillion (Ava), a virtual assistant for non-emergency call taking. Ava, implemented in June 2025 and full-time since July 2025, assists in routing non-emergency calls efficiently, does not handle 911 calls, and works alongside dispatchers. The system can help with tasks like providing information on community events, police report requests, and initial intake for non-emergent issues such as lost keys or barking dogs. Ava can detect emergent situations and transfer calls to live dispatchers immediately. The presentation included a video demonstrating Ava's use and emphasized the importance of speaking to Ava naturally. The center also introduced Cora, a questioning protocol that provides dispatchers with information already gathered by Ava. The virtual assistant aims to free up dispatchers to handle 911 calls and emergencies more effectively, especially during high call volumes, such as the March 13th storm where Ava handled over 400 calls. The system's protocols were built internally based on dispatch center standards and are adaptable to 11 different communities served by the center. The implementation has improved 911 answering times and dispatcher workload balance, contributing to better retention rates. Future plans include lowering Ava's resistance to direct dispatcher connection and a separate phone line for police officers.

Mayor Reports on Fire Department Response, Community Health Initiatives, and Volunteer Efforts

Mayor Kilway reported on several community initiatives. The fire department responded to a house fire where a neighbor, Corey Mezza, saved the house by alerting authorities to a stove left on [cite: 421-424]. The department also responded to a significant commercial fire on Crystal Parkway, which affected five businesses. Firefighters contained the blaze, preventing damage to the building's structure and allowing four other businesses to remain operational [cite: 427-433]. An employee sustained non-life-threatening injuries [cite: 435]. The city's economic development team is assisting the affected business with cleanup and repair [cite: 437]. The Mayor attended a Summit County Community Health Improvement Plan meeting focused on improving residents' health [cite: 440-442]. She also thanked Talmadge High School seniors for their 'Senior Give Back Day,' assisting with park maintenance and helping senior citizens with home and lawn care [cite: 443-447]. Additionally, the Mayor visited the Humane Society of Summit County's new facility and is working to connect them with community outreach opportunities [cite: 449-461]. Finally, she acknowledged the 158th Memorial Day parade and ceremony, thanking organizers and participants [cite: 462-474].

Mike Passarelli Honored for Decades of Community Service

Councilmember Ted Roy presented a certificate of appreciation to Mike Passarelli. Passarelli has a long history of public service, including 47 years with the Townridge Fire Department (seven as chief), and has maintained his paramedic license since 1978. He co-founded the Townridge 9-11 ceremony 25 years ago and continues to support it. He has served on the Townridge Board of Education for three years, currently as president. Passarelli is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, received the Humanitarian Award from the Townridge Chamber of Commerce in 2022, and was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Townman's in 2007. He has lived in Town Reach for over 62 years, raised four children, and has seven grandchildren. He remains active as a medical unit leader for the Eastern Area All Hazardous Team Incident Management Group and volunteers at Townland Elementary Schools, where he established a beekeeping club. He holds degrees from the University of Akron and the National Fire Academy. Passarelli expressed his love for public service and his continued involvement.