On the record
Howland
WHAT: Howland Township trustees meeting Wednesday
PRESENT: Rick Clark, Jim Lapolla, Matt Vansuch
Trustees:
Hired Kevin Kuriatnyk as an emergency medical service instructor at the training center in Howland on as needed basis at $17.06 per hour as lead instructor and $11.73 per hour as an assistant instructor, with no benefits;
Approved paying $3,900 for an Issue 1 culvert replacement project on Cain Drive. Administrator Darlene St. George said the amount is the annual payment over 20 years for the project.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Trumbull County
WHAT: Regular meeting of Trumbull County commissioners on Wednesday
PRESENT: Mauro Cantalamessa, Frank Fuda and Dan Polivka
Commissioners:
l Hired Anthony M. Massucci, Robert Cavaliere and Kathleen M. Brownlee as custodians in the Maintenance Department, effective Monday. All three will earn $9.76 an hour in their first six months and then receive a raise to $10.36 an hour;
l Accepted the resignation of Nicholas Santucci as employee relations assistant in the Human Resources Department;
l Transferred Roy E. Elza from mechanic in the Vehicle Maintenance Department to afternoon supervisor in the Maintenance Department. His pay went from $22.67 an hour to $24.33 an hour;
l Hired Richard Rounds as sewer line maintenance assistant and Elizabeth Jones as tv inspector / grouting technician assistant in the Sanitary Engineer’s Office, effective Monday. Both will earn $12.27 an hour.
– Ron Selak Jr
.
Warren
What: Warren City Council regular meeting Wednesday in the council chambers in the Warren Municipal Building.
Present: Council members Larry Larson, Alford Novak, John Brown Jr., Greg Bartholomew, Vince Flask, Cheryl Saffold, Eddie Colbert, Dan Sferra and Helen Rucker, and Council President James Graham.
Absent: Councilman James Valesky, excused
Council:
l Placed into first reading an ordinance that would allow the administration to enter into a one-year personal service contract to coordinate all adult softball programs and operations in the city parks. Councilman Eddie Colbert said he wants to meet with auditor’s office to get clarification on income earned and paid in the program in the 2013 and the 2014 years before supporting this year’s contract.
l Passed an ordinance allowing the city to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to pay for the reconstruction and resurfacing of Youngstown Road from Laird Avenue to Ridge Road. The project would include resurfacing, curbs, sidewalks drive approaches and catch basins. Federal and state funds will cover 100 percent of the construction costs up to $4 million. Federal funds will pay for 80 percent of the engineering work. The project is scheduled for the 2019-20 construction season.
– Raymond L. Smith
On the record
Champion
WHAT: Board of Education meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Amy Schwab, David Mahan, Roger Samuelson, Kelly Boyle, Jim Sher
The board:
Approved reassigning the duties of food services director to Mark Harper for the remainder of the school year. Harper, who serves as the district’s maintenance and transportation supervisor, will take on the food services supervisor duties because of the death of director Jim Hyland on Jan. 5. Schwab said the board will evaluate the situation of duties at the end of the school year. Hyland served three years in the position;
Approved Rick Yaugher as varsity baseball coach, Doug Cope as volunteer assistant baseball coach and Tracy Ricci as volunteer softball coach;
Reappointed Samuelson as board representative to the Trumbull Career and Technical Center marking his 16th year on the board;
Announced the annual State of School forum about school facilities will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday at the high school cafeteria.
– Bob Coupland
Newton
WHAT: Township trustee meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Greg Dubos, Doreen Lutz, Bob Page
Trustees:
Will begin replacing dated equipment in the cemetery department once monies from a 0.5-mill levy come in starting in April. Dubos said a new mower and weed trimmers are needed because of ongoing maintenance and work in the different cemeteries. He said repairs have been made to the equipment but some are 8 years old and need replaced. The levy brings in about $63,000 for maintenance.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Bristol
What: Bristol Township trustees meeting on Tuesday
Present: Ramon French and Mark Webb
Absent: Doug Seemann
Trustees:
Approved a five-year contract renewal with Bloomfield Township for providing emergency medical services to the neighboring township. French said the township had provided the services previously to Bloomfield in the past five years;
Hired Kevin Hostetler as a firefighter / EMT;
Approved zoning recommendations from the Zoning Commission Board following a public hearing last week. French said the recommendations included changes in wording regarding signs;
Approved purchase of submersion suit, rescue rope and buoys at $2,500;
Announced several emails to various legislative officials concerning the Ohio Revised Code and shared resources within the townships. French said they have wanted to share resources for cemetery and roads with Bloomfield but learned from the county prosecutor this can’t be done. He said trustees are contacting state officials to see what changes can possibly be made to allow sharing services and resources;
Approved a 36-month contract with IGS Energy for rate reduction for electric at $0.65 per kilowatt hours for township buildings. French said the township has learned that the aggregation issue would have to appear on the ballot.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Mathews
What: Mathews Board of Education meeting on Wednesday
Present: Tarin Brown, James Koehler, Mary Swift, Ken Wallace and Terry Woodyard
The board:
Appointed Koehler as board representative to the Trumbull Career and Technical Center for three years;
Approved participating in the cooperative purchasing programs of Ohio schools and continued participation in the Ohio School Boards Association at $3,683;
Amended the purchase order for Environmental Management Specialists to $47,353, which was an $11,853 increase for the removal of the additional underground storage tank. Superintendent Lew Lowery said the tank was discovered since one knew it was there;
Approved Mike Palumbo as weight training supervisor at $1,800
Recognized the school district for no work-related injuries for a designated period in late 2014.
McDonald
What: McDonald Village Council meeting on Wednesday
Present: Marty Puckett, Brian Fisher, Richard Harvey, Scott Seitz, Michael O’Brien and Paul Stitt
Council:
Approved amending the compensation structure on the way the building inspector is paid from the previous per building permit and inspection basis to an annual salary of $5,600 per year;
Heard from Village Administrator Tom Domitrovich that several contractors received their permits and began work on creating a senior center in the post office building off Ohio Avenue. Officials said plans are to have the center opened by summer. Domitrovich said the Trumbull County Building Department has given approval for work on the project.
Niles
What: Niles Board of Education meeting on Thursday
Present: Tony Perrone, Rich Limongi, Susan Giannetti Longacre and Mary Ann McMahan
Absent: Christopher Doutt
The board:
Approved both an after-school intervention program for reading and math for eligible students in kindergarten to third grade at Niles Primary School in March and a summer intervention program for Niles Primary School students in July. Staff for both programs will be paid $30 per hour;
Passed a resolution indicating the district will not at the present time provide career technical education to students in seventh and eighth grades. Perrone said the board wants to review the item for a possible offering in the future;
Accepted a $5,000 donation in memory of longtime community member and businessman Gilbert Macali Sr., to be used as a scholarship for a high school senior;
Accepted the resignation of Colleen Bennett, effective Jan. 19, as a business education teacher at the high school.
– Bob Coupland
Trumbull County
What: Regular meeting of Trumbull County commissioners on Wednesday
Present: Mauro Cantalamessa, Frank Fuda and Dan Polivka
Commissioners:
Authorized the purchase of two 2015 Chevrolet Malibus by the Engineer’s Office for $19,251 each from Cole Valley Chevrolet in Newton Falls. Cole Valley submitted the lowest of five cost proposals;
Approved agreement with NCL Natural Resources of Texas to relocate a gas line on Newton Falls Bailey Road in Lordstown. The gas line needs moved so the Engineer’s Office can replace a bridge;
Declared a project connecting seven homes and two other buildings in the Bolindale neighborhood near state Route 169 and Ridge Road to sanitary sewers necessary. About 800 feet of line will be installed for the project, expected to be complete by mid-2015;
Approved agreement with Jeffrey S. Uroseva, an engineer, to review building plans for the Trumbull County Building Department, as needed. He will be paid $65, which is part of the review fee paid by the applicant;
Extended contract with Valley Foods Inc. of Youngstown to provide site and home delivered meals to places in Newton Falls, Lordstown, Niles, Girard, Hubbard, Calvary Church and Morrison Village. The extension, through the end of February, is for 400 meals for 19 serving days at a cost of $39,444. The cost per meal increased $1.53;
Extended a contract with Country Neighbor of Orwell that is similar to the agreement with Valley Foods. The extension is for the same amount of time, but for 1,596 meals at a cost of $7,980.
– Ron Selak Jr.
On the record
Bazetta
What: Bazetta Township trustees regular meeting on Monday
Present: Paul Hovis, Frank Parke and Ted Webb
Trustees:
l Rescheduled February’s second meeting to Feb. 17 because of Presidents Day;
l Approved a $16,000 expenditure from the drug enforcement fund to outfit two police cruisers;
l Hired Richard L. Tackett to serve as a part-time patrolman for $12 an hour;
l Hired Nicolas Wildman as a reserve officer, pending passage of a psychological screening;
l Authorized the police chief to sell excess police equipment;
l Appointed David Ross to the Zoning Board of Appeals, replacing Lee Ford;
l Renewed the term of Steve Belcher, Karin Hudson and Robert Giering to the Parks and Recreation Board;
l Heard from the health insurance committee that the township is saving 2.5 percent this year;
– Renee Fox
Lordstown
What: Lordstown Village Council meeting on Tuesday
Present: Robert Bond, Karen Jones, John Mansell, Ron Radtka, Donald Reider and Howard Sheely
Council:
l Hired Taylor Fleming Associates at $2,000 to prepare bid specifications for insurance for village-owned properties;
l Hired part-time dispatcher Zachary Williams on an as-needed basis;
l Approved the transfer of Dustin Bowman as water machine operator to full-time water foreman.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Cortland
WHAT: Lakeview Board of Education reorganizational and regular Monday meeting
WHO: Troy Adair, Beth Harris, Larry Sherer, Mary Williams and Donna Zuga
The board:
Agreed to ask voters to approve issuing school bonds with the aggregate principal amount of $23.82 million, and pass an additional permanent improvement levy of 0.5 mills. Similar ballot requests narrowly lost, 49 percent to 51 percent of the vote, in November;
Elected Troy Adair as president and Mary Williams as vice president;
Set their regular meetings for 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Lakeview High School Media Center;
Set compensation for board members at $80 per meeting for up to 18 meetings per year;
Appointed Larry Sherer as the legislative liaison to the Ohio School Boards Association, Beth Harris as the student achievement liaison to the OSBA and Donna Zuga at the district safety liaison;
Appointed Joy Anstrom as the public records officer designee;
Hired Sally Churley as elementary secretary; Ashley Manovich, Samantha Wilson and Joanne Ogurchak as third-grade OAA reading tutors; and Kari Milliron as Future Educators Association adviser.
Reassigned Matthew Miller from afternoon turn custodian assigned to the high school to head custodian at Lakeview Elementary.
– Margaret A. Thompson
Trumbull County
WHAT: Trumbull County Metroparks organizational meeting Tuesday
PRESENT: John Brown Jr., Steve Zerefos, Steve Papalas, Mike Sava and Nicolette Darkangelo
The board:
Named Brown as board president and Zerefos as vice president;
Approved lease of property to the Northwest Neighborhood Association in Warren for a community garden in the Burbank Park area off Lynnwood Avenue;
Approved lease of property to Bloomfield Township trustees at the Lockwood Trail Head off state Route 87 and the Greenway Bike Trail for soccer field. Plans are also for a parking lot to be put in next summer;
Set meetings for 4:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday on second floor at 185 E. Market St., Warren.
– Bob Coupland
WHAT: Regular meeting of Trumbull County commissioners Wednesday
PRESENT Mauro Cantalamessa, Frank Fuda and Dan Polivka
Commissioners:
Removed Jennifer Wells from the Workforce Investment Board of Trumbull County;
Appointed Carolyn “Tina” Copeland to the Workforce Investment Board to a two-year term ending in 2017;
Agreed to apply for a $140,789 loan from the state to help pay for the installation of sewers on a portion of Ridge Road;
Reappointed Robert Faulkner, Lawrence Connelly, Arthur Lattanzi and Barbara Ozimek to the Trumbull County Senior Services Advisory Council to new three-year terms ending in 2018;
Agreed to buy new workstations for some offices in the Common Pleas Court building from RCF Group of Cleveland for $77,831;
Agreed to begin paying attorney Michael A. Scala, the new prosecutor in Girard Municipal Court, who is taking over for attorney Michael Bloom. Bloom is taking a military leave of absence, which began Sunday. The county’s portion of the prosecutor’s salary, $4,000, will be prorated with a portion of January’s amount going to Bloom.
– Ron Selak Jr.
Weathersfield
WHAT: Weathersfield Board of Education organizational meeting Wednesday
PRESENT: Joshua Garris, Cheryl Basista, Tracey Thomas, Robert Palmer and Bruce Bacak
The board:
Named Garris as board president and Basista as vice president;
Approved the following committee appointments: Basista to student achievement, representative to the Trumbull Career and Technical Center board, and representative to the Ohio School Board Association conference; Garris as legislative liaison; Thomas as alternate to the OSBA conference; Bacak as township trustee representative; and Palmer as alternate;
Reported that demolition will take place of the former middle school building as all asbestos issues have been addressed. Bacak said the building, which was constructed in 1924, had a lot of the equipment and items sold;
Set meetings for 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in high school media center.
– Bob Coupland
WHAT: Township trustee organizational meeting on Tuesday
PRESENT: Steve Gerberry, Gilson Blair and Marvin McBride
Trustees:
Named Gerberry as chairman and Blair as vice chairman;
Authorized the sale of a 2012 pickup truck for $43,014, with proceeds to be used toward purchasing a small one-ton dump truck for the road department and cemetery;
Hired John Mosora and Jacob Sigley as part-time police officers;
Accepted a $75 donation from Richard Naples Sr. and Wholesale Fireworks Co. for the police department;
Asked Township Administrator David Rouan to execute a request for concurrence with Lawrence County, Pa., which will operate a radio frequency channel adjacent the township police department’s channel. The agreement acknowledges Lawrence County will eliminate any interference. Interference is not expected, according to an engineering study by Mission Critical Partners Inc.;
Announced the second annual Flag Day Festival will be held June 11 to 14, with a parade planned for July 12. A meeting for the festival will be held 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at township administration building;
Recognized the fire department for their work at a fire on Columbus Street in the Heaton Chute area and for assisting Austintown with a fire in their township. Residents sent letters were received thanking the department;
Scheduled meetings for 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the township administration building.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Champion
WHAT: Board of Education organizational meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Amy Schwab, Kelly Boyle, Roger Samuelson, Jim Scher and David Mahan
The board:
l Accepted the retirement / resignation of Anthony Carsone, assistant high school principal, effective at the end of the school year. Carsone has served 20 years as assistant principal;
l Named Schwab board president and Mahan vice president;
l Approved the following committee appointments: Mahan and Schwab to legislative; Schwab and Scher to athletics; Schwab and Boyle to community relations; Samuelson and Mahan to facilities and grounds; and entire board to finances;
l Set meetings for 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month in high school media center.
– Bob Coupland
Girard
WHAT: City Council meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Reynald Paolone, Lou Adovasio, John Moliterno, Tom Grumley, Larry Steiner and Steve Brooks
ABSENT: Joseph Shelby and George Eicher
Council:
l Heard from East Liberty Street resident, Giovanna Minnitti-Whitfield, who asked about possibly having police stationed, speed bumps installed or caution lights or signs put in to get motorists traveling on Elruth Street and Moser Road near the soccer fields at Liberty Memorial Park to slow down because of all the people at soccer events.
Mayor Jim Melfi said he has spoken to soccer representatives to address safety in the park including removal of overgrown plants and replacing the bridge there with a $37,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources nature works grant;
l Heard from Melfi about highway grant funding that is being sought to replace the eroded Squaw Creek bridge, which was closed recently for safety issues. The project will cost about $500,000;
l Requested legislation be prepared for the city to contribute its share of $10,000 for the project manager for the state Route 422 economic development corridor project;
l Gave second reading to contribute $5,500 for the year for the Trumbull County Transit Board transportation system based on 2000 census population of 50 cents per person;
l Announced they will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26, which is prior to the next regular meeting, to discuss finances.
– Bob Coupland
Howland
WHAT: Board of Education organizational meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Justin Kaszowski, Matt Darrin, Ken Jones, Scott Lehman and Barbara Wright
The board:
l Elected Barbara Wright board president and Justin Kaszowski board vice president;
l Approved the following dates for their regular meetings, all of which will be 6:30 p.m. in the middle school media center, unless otherwise noted: Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23 at North Road Intermediate, April 27 at H.C. Mines Intermediate, May 18 at high school media center, May 18, June 22, July 27, Aug. 17, Sept. 28, Oct. 26 at Howland Springs Primary, Nov. 23 at Howland Glen Primary, and Dec. 21;
l Designated the superintendent and treasurer as the district officials to receive certified public records law training;
l Reclassified The Scroll yearbook club and ski club as district managed student activities as opposed to student managed and rotary managed activities;
lApproved the extension of dependent care leave for Andrea Jones and Molly Salem;
l Approved Tracey Golden and Kristie Gregory as Title I reading / math tutors at a rate of $26.40 per hour for seven hours a day, five days per week;
l Agreed to join the Ohio School Board Association for 2015 at a cost of $5,955.
l Appointed Lehman at the 2015 legislative liaison to the OSBA;
l Renewed their membership in the Coalition for Fiscal Fairness in Ohio for the purpose of ensuring that Ohio continues personal property tax reimbursement funding the district. The membership cost of $6,667;
l Approved a permanent easement at the end of Kettering Street near the Middle School to allow light signal placement.
– Margaret
A. Thompson
Leavittsburg
WHAT: LaBrae Board of Education organizational meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Russell Sewell, Virginia Blaney, Tim Gibson, Diane Duncan and Gary Morton
The board:
l Named Sewell board president and Blaney vice president;
l Approved the following committee appointments: Sewell and Blaney to finance and technology; Sewell and Gibson to buildings and grounds and personnel; Morton and Duncan to community relations and curriculum and policy; Duncan and Blaney as community liaisons; Morton to athletic council and legislative liaison; Blaney to exceptional children; Gibson to labor relations; Duncan as delegate to Ohio School Boards Association and Gibson as alternate;
l Agreed to buy three, 77-passenger buses from Meyers Equipment through the Trumbull County Educational Service Center cooperative purchasing program;
l Agreed to let the Eastern Ohio Volleyball Club use the school complex on Jan. 31 for a volleyball program;
l Set the meetings for 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the high school band room.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Bazetta
What: Bazetta trustees special end-of-year meeting on Monday
Present: Paul Hovis, Frank Parke and Ted Webb
Trustees:
Accepted inventory lists from the township departments;
Entered into executive session to discuss contract negotiations;
Authorized a new township bank account at Huntington Bank because Chase Bank stopped servicing a former account at the end of 2014. Fiscal Officer Rita Drew stated, “New banking regulations are making it difficult (costly) for banks to service government accounts.”
– Renee Fox
Cortland
What: City Council regular meeting on Monday
Who: James Woofter, Dennis Linville, James Edwards, Deidre Petrosky, Kevin Piros, Scott Rowley and Terry Tackett
Council:
Moved its next meeting back one day to Jan. 20 in order to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day;
Authorized a $10,600 expenditure to S.C.O.P.E., a 20 percent match to the $53,000 grant Trumbull County provided to support senior services;
Discussed and declared it necessary to levy a tax to support the police and fire funds in excess of the 10-mill limitation for the May ballot;
Resolved to advertise for bids for restrooms at Pearl Park, for phase II of the downtown waterline replacement project;
Resolved to advertise for sealed bids for regular and premium grade gasoline and oil for use in city vehicles;
Appointed Frances E. Moyer clerk of council pro-tempore;
Adopted the same rules and regulations from 2014 for the new year.
Approved temporary budget appropriations until the annual appropriation ordinance is passed into law.
– Renee Fox
On the record
Lordstown
What: Lordstown Board of Education meeting on Thursday
Present: Roberta Hiller, Ron Tyndall, Tracie Allen, William Catlin and Sandra McBride
The board:
l Appointed Roberta Hiller as its president and Ron Tyndall as its vice president;
l Set its regular meetings for 6 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month;
l Authorized the treasurer to pay bills, invest interim funds and request advances of taxes collected;
l Set aside $2 per student or $2,000, whichever is greater, from the general fund for a service fund to be used as needed by the board;
l Authorized the president and treasurer with the ability to borrow money for the district;
l Authorized the superintendent to determine whether school staff must attend board meetings;
l Approved the following as legal counsel for the district: Britton Smith Peters & Kalail Co., Squire Patton & Boggs, and the Ohio School Boards Association;
l Authorized the superintendent to hire temporary employees as needed and to accept resignations;
l Authorized the superintendent to make purchases in regards to school supplies as needed;
l Appointed the president, superintendent and treasurer to the public records committee;
l Approved a resolution to ask electors to renew two existing tax levies.
– Margaret Thompson
Girard
WHAT: Girard Board of Education organizational meeting Wednesday
PRESENT: Diane Alejars, Richard Rees, Joe Melfi, Cheryl Asente and Pete Cardiero
The board:
l Named Rees as board president and Cardiero as vice president;
l Approved the following committee appointments: Cardiero to athletic council and facilities; Asente to curriculum; Rees to labor relations, legislative liaison to the Ohio School Boards Association and board representative to Trumbull Career and Technical Center; Melfi to safety; and Alejars to student recognition;
l Set meetings for 6 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month in high school media center. There will be some months when the meetings are moved to the third Wednesday due to holidays.
– Bob Coupland
Niles
WHAT: Niles Board of Education organizational meeting on Thursday
PRESENT: Tony Perrone, Rich Limongi, Mary Ann McMahan, Susan Longacre and Chris Doutt
The board:
l Named Perrone as board president and Limongi as vice president;
l Approved the following appointments: Longacre as representative to the Trumbull Career and Technical Center board; Doutt to Niles Park and Recreation board; Limongi and Longacre to finances committee; Limongi as representative to Ohio School Board Association and McMahan as OSBA delegate;
l Set meetings for 6 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at varying school building locations during the year.
– Bob Coupland
Niles
WHAT: Niles City Council meeting Wednesday
PRESENT: Robert Marino, Frank Pezzano, John Merlo, Edward Stredney, Edward McCormick, Michael Lastic, Reggie Giancola, Jr.
ABSENT: Stephen Papalas
Council
l Gave final reading to accepting the annexation of two parcels of land from Howland into the city. The property, located off Route 46 near GFS, is owned by Joseph Marzullo and Niles Cortland Co. Mayor Ralph Infante said there is a 250-foot frontage being annexed since one lot was in Howland and one lot was in Niles;
l Gave second reading to reducing the number of lieutenants in the fire department through attrition. Infante said in the future when there are retirements the numbers in the fire department will go from the current three captains and six lieutenants to three captains and three lieutenants;
l Announced the Financial Advisory Council will meet 1 p.m. Monday at the city building;
l Set meetings for 6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month in court chambers at the safety service complex.
– Bob Coupland
Southington
WHAT: Southington Board of Education organizational meeting on Thursday
PRESENT: Bob Baugher, Betsy Dunn, Tim Arbogast, Patty Anderson and Steve Gilanyi
The board:
l Named Arbogast as board president and Anderson as vice president;
l Approved the following appointments: Anderson as legislative liaison; Gilanyi to athletic council; Dunn to student achievement; Arbogast to finances; Arbogast, Gilanyi and Baugher to buildings and grounds; Anderson and Dunn to safety; and Baugher as representative to the Trumbull Career and Technical Center board;
l Approved Linda Davenport and Jennifer Mitchell as tutors for the third-grade guarantee. The program will run in the morning before school begins;
l Reported design work is continuing on the mural for the gymnasium wall;
l Set meetings for 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in school complex media center.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Braceville
WHAT: Braceville Township trustee organizational meeting Tuesday
PRESENT: Todd Brewster, Dennis Kuchta and Aaron Young
Trustees:
l Named Brewster as chairman and Kuchta as vice chairman;
l Set meetings for 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month and a work session at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday, at the township hall;
l Re-appointed Eli Troyer to the zoning appeals board and Rebecca Rood to the zoning commission, both for five-year terms;
l Hired Brock Baltes and James Lampkin as non-paid police reserves;
l Approved a 25 cents-an-hour pay raise for two road department employees and a $1 per call raise for firefighters with a varying scale of $6 to $8.75 per call based on experience and service years;
l Promoted Kristina Vaughn to paid patrolwoman and accepted the resignation of Wayne Court, who took another police position for a hospital.
– Bob Coupland
Bristol
WHAT: Board of Education organizational meeting on Wednesday
PRESENT: Dennis Lenney, John Hickey, Kathy Johnson, Don Mickel and Scott Chapman
The Board:
l Named Lenney as president and Hickey as vice president;
l Set meetings for 6 p.m. second Wednesday of each month in elementary media center;
l Approved the following committee appointments; Lenney to buildings and grounds and student liaison; Hickey to safety and security and technical; Chapman to athletics and representative on Trumbull Career and Technical Center board; Mickel to public relations and extracurricular; and Johnson to legislative and finance and audit.
– Bob Coupland
Newton Falls
WHAT: Village Council organizational meeting on Monday
WHO: Richard Zamecnik, Nancy Hoffman, David Wilson, Phillip Beer and Tarry Alberini
Council;
l Set the next caucus for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20, with a regular meeting at 6 p.m.;
l Appointed Wilson to serve as the council’s vice president;
l Named Zamecnik to planning and zoning, civil service, utilities / public works and public safety committees and boards;
l Named Hoffman to the parks and recreation board and the treasury investment board;
l Named Wilson to treasury investment, finance/administration/audit, Eastgate, fire district and income tax appeals committees;
l Named Beer to utilities and public works, utility appeals and tax review and enterprise zone boards;
l Named Alberini to finance/administration/audit, public safety, income tax appeals and economic development committees and boards.
– Renee Fox
Trumbull County
WHAT: Regular weekly meeting of Trumbull County commissioners
PRESENT: Mauro Cantalamessa, Frank Fuda and Dan Polivka
Commissioners:
l Agreed to pay the yearly Ohio Environmental Protection Agency discharge fee for the county’s storm water program. The amount was $8,086;
l Agreed to advertise and solicit qualification statements from professional design firms to create a prequalified list of firms to do design work for Trumbull County in 2015;
l Proclaimed Monday to be Ohio State Buckeye Day in Trumbull County. On Monday, the Buckeyes will play the University of Oregon Ducks football team in Arlington, Texas, for the college football championship.
– Ron Selak Jr.
Hartford
WHAT: Hartford Township trustees organizational meeting on Tuesday
PRESENT: Rebecca Whitman, Mike Bridge and Phil Wilhelm
Trustees:
l Named Whitman as chairwoman and Bridge as vice chairman;
l Set meetings for 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month;
l Reported on projects planned for 2015 which include purchasing a new police cruiser in a few months and the park committee applying for a grant for the walking trail at the park.
– Bob Coupland
McDonald
WHAT: McDonald Village Council organizational meeting on Wednesday
PRESENT: Marty Puckett, Brian Fisher, Richard Harvey, Scott Seitz, Michael O’Brien and Paul Stitt
Council:
l Named O’Brien as president pro-tem;
l Approved the following committee appointments: Puckett to safety; Stitt as parks and buildings; Seitz to finance and capital improvement; Harvey to service; Fisher to the planning commission; and O’Brien to community chest;
l Set meetings for 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month;
l Approved Ken Miner, Joanne Fyne and Lou Sobinosky to income tax revenue board;
l Accepted the resignation of Jarod Monaco from the police department;
l Heard from Mayor Glenn Holmes, who highlighted 2014 projects, which included $1.27 million to bore under Mahoning River to Niles sanitary sewer treatment plant; a $675,000 improvement on Marshall Road; and a $367,800 sidewalk project. He said of the $1.9 million projects in 2014 the village paid only $500,000 due to grants and funding obtained;
l Heard from Holmes that plans for 2015 are to finish work on the community room at the post office building; adding a splash pad in the park; and waterline replacement on Illinois Avenue, south of Marshall Road.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Warren
WHAT: Warren Board of Education organizational and regular Tuesday meeting
PRESENT: Andre Coleman, Patricia M. Limperos, Regina Patterson and Robert Faulkner Sr.
ABSENT: John Lacy
The board:
l Elected Patricia M. Limperos as its president and Andre Coleman as its vice president;
l Set regular board meetings for 6 p.m. on Jan.6 at the administration building; Jan. 20 at Warren G. Harding; Feb. 3 at the administration building; Feb. 17 at McGuffey PreK-8; March 3 at the administration building; March 17 at Willard PreK-8; April 14 at the administration building; April 28 at Jefferson PreK-8; May 12 at the administration building; May 26 at Lincoln PreK-8; and June 9, June 30, July 14, Aug. 4, Aug. 18, Sept. 8, Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 27, Nov. 17 and Dec. 8, all at the administration building;
l Accepted donations: $75 from AVI for Jefferson 21st Century Program sandwiches; $2,500 from General Motors for 21st Century Learning Centers Giant Eagle gift cards and school supplies; $700 from Geniece Mowery for the board of education Christmas tree; $25 from Megan Mussler in cupcakes for the Jefferson 21st Century Program; and $50 from Kristi Rogers for two gift cards for the Jefferson 21st Century Program;
l Approved supplemental contracts to Suzanna Spirito for home instruction at $24.21 per hour as needed, Veronica Wadsworth and Samantha Wiesen for home instruction at $24.21 per hour as needed, and Nancy Charnas as a swim program lifeguard at $24.21 per hour as needed;
l Approved Elizabeth Stawiski at the FIRST project coordinator;
l Hired Alvin Jennings and Vickie Ostetrico as MD educational aides at Jefferson PreK-8, effective Dec. 15;
l Approved Annastacia Ray as the ninth-grade girls basketball coach;
l Approved as student game workers for athletic events Seth Brugler, Allyson Crays, Immaru Webster Jr., and Ian Wilcox;
l Approved as adult game workers for athletic events Diane Hernandez, Jamahl Martin and Alexandria Narotsky.
l Approved Robert Faulkner Sr. as a delegate to the Ohio School Board Associations annual conference and Andre Coleman as an alternate;
l Approved to retain legal services provided by Ambrosy & Fredericka, Britton Smith Peters & Kalail, Walter & Haverfield, and Squire Sanders & Dempsey.
– Margaret A. Thompson
On the record
Brookfield
WHAT: Brookfield Township trustees meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Gary Lees, Dion Magestro and Ron Haun
Trustees:
l Named Lees as trustee chairman and Magestro as vice chairman;
l Set meetings for 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month at township administration building;
l Reported one resident has signed up for the senior check program, and others are welcome by calling the township hall. Trustees will check on residents weekly;
l Set a meeting on the comprehensive plan with Thrasher Engineering and Design for 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at the township hall.
– Bob Coupland
Liberty
WHAT: Liberty Board of Education organizational and regular Monday meeting
PRESENT: David Malone, Calvin Jones, Diana M. DeVito, James Jones and Carmen Faustino
The board:
l Elected David Malone as its president and Calvin Jones as its vice president;
l Set its regular meetings for 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month;
l Established the salaries of the board members at $80 per meeting; this is the same rate as the last several years;
l Established a service fund for the board with $500 to start;
l Accepted the following donations: $1,000 from Austintown Veterinary Clinic for the high school speech and debate team; $758.10 from board member Diana DeVito to be used as needed by the superintendent; $1,000 from Marcia Levy for the purchase of library books; and $400 from the Liberty Historical Society and the E.J. Blott School staff in honor of former board member, the late Gloria Lang. Library books will be purchased and a tree was planted in front of the elementary school along with a plaque in Lang’s honor.
– Margaret A. Thompson
Vienna
WHAT: Vienna Township trustees meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Heidi Brown, Rich Dascenzo and Phil Pegg
Trustees:
l Gave first reading to placing a 1.5-mill police operating levy on the May primary ballot. The five-year levy will generate around $132,000 annually for day-to-day operations of the police department. The second reading will be given at a special meeting later this month to make the February deadline to get an issue on the ballot;
l Named Brown as trustee chairwoman and Pegg as vice chairman;
l Set meetings for 7 p.m. first Monday of each month at township hall.
– Bob Coupland
Lordstown
WHAT: Village Council organizational meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Robert Bond, Karen Jones, John Mansell, Ron Radtka, Donald Reider and Howard Sheely
Council:
l Named Mansell as president pro-tem;
l Approved the following committee chairs: Bond to utilities, Jones to roads; Radtka to finances; Reider to safety; and Sheely to transportation;
l Named Bond as school liaison; Jones to board of zoning appeals; Sheely to planning commission; Mansell and Mayor Arno Hill to the business review committee that looks at new businesses; and Radtka and Hill to abatement review committee;
l Set meetings for 6 p.m. the first and third Mondays, unless holiday where they will be moved to Tuesdays at village administration building.
– Bob Coupland
Newton Twp.
WHAT: Newton Township trustees organizational meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Greg Dubos, Robert Page and Doreen Lutz
Trustees:
l Named Dubos as trustee chairman and Paige as vice chairman;
l Set meetings for 6:30 p.m. the fourth Monday and work sessions for 9 a.m. the second Monday, both at township hall;
l Accepted the retirement of Zoning Inspector Dennis Richter, who served three years. Trustees are looking for a replacement for the part-time position which pays $500 per month. Applicants can contact a trustee or send resume to township hall;
l Granted a 35 cents-an-hour raise to the road supervisor/ cemetery sexton and 25 cents-an-hour raise to two road laborers / operators;
l Appointed Becky Schultz to the zoning commission and Marietta Beatty to the zoning appeals board, both for five-year terms at $30 per meeting;
l Appointed Patrick Pellin to fill the remainder of Kenneth MacGregor’s three-year term as the township citizen representative on the joint fire district board;
l Are looking for alternates for the zoning appeals and zoning commission. Applicants can contact a trustee.
– Bob Coupland
Newton Falls
WHAT: Newton Falls Board of Education organizational and regular Monday meeting
PRESENT: Don Baker, Edwin Ballas, Debra Davis and Brenda Koontz
ABSENT: Brent Powell
The board:
l Elected Don Baker as its president and Debra Davis as its vice president;
l Set its regular meeting for 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month;
l Passed a resolution to request the renewal of a 4.55-mill operating levy that generates $585,000 a year;
l Accepted the retirement of bus driver and cafeteria worker Colleen Watts, effective Jan. 1;
l Amended a policy to allow the athletic director to take part in the hiring of coaches and coaches to take part in the hiring of assistant coaches.
– Margaret A. Thompson
On the record
Champion
WHAT: Champion Township trustees organizational meeting Monday
PRESENT: Keith Bowser, Bob Farmer and Jeff Hovanic
Trustees:
l Named Farmer as trustee chairman and Bowser as vice chairman;
l Set meetings for 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month, unless that’s a holiday, at township hall. The only change will be Sept. 14;
l Reported the township-owned home at 5788 Mahoning Ave. is set for demolition on Monday, weather permitting;
l Will meet on the comprehensive plan at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Trumbull County Planning Commission;
l Appointed Ronald Gilronan to zoning board and Russell Banks to the zoning appeals board, both for five-year terms;
l Heard from fire Chief John Hickey that the new brush truck is in need and will be used for flooding areas and when trees and wires are down. He also reported the fire department received 2,052 total calls in 2014, which was 232 more calls than 2013. The 2014 totals included 465 mutual aids;
l Heard from Road Supervisor Chris Connelly that the township did not receive state Issue 2 funding to work on Folsom and Calla avenues.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Southington
WHAT: Southington Township trustee organizational / regular meeting on Friday
PRESENT: Sam Plott, Dan Tietz, Bob Reader
Trustees:
Named Plott as chairman and Tietz as vice chairman for 2015;
Scheduled meetings for 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month with the next meeting February 11;
Asked residents to trim or remove tree limbs and shrubbery near driveways that are hindering safety vehicles and blocking visibility of house numbers. Questions call 330-898-6242 on Monday evenings;
Appointed Ron Davis to three-year term on the water board; re-appointed Rob Middleton for a five-year term on the zoning appeals board; and Ed Vystrcil to a five-year term on the zoning commission;
Hired Jason Fletcher as road department employee at $13 per hour to receive a $1 per year raise over five years. He will replace Harold Lippert who will retire in April after 13 years. Fletcher was selected from 39 applicants;
Approved 50 cents an hour pay increase for road supervisor Clarence Speaker and road employee Harold Lippert. Speaker was also approved as cemetery sexton at $1,500 per year, the same rate as last year;
Hired Richard McPeak as a part-time road worker as needed at $10 per hour;
Rehired Fire Chief Tom Strock at $5,000 per year, Assistant Chief Chris Plott at $2,500 per year and Zoning Inspector Marlene Russomanno at $450 per month, all the same rates as last year;
Approved paying zoning appeals and zoning commission members $22.50 per meeting, the same rate as last year;
– Bob Coupland