On the record
Warren
WHAT: Warren Board of Education regular Tuesday meeting
WHO: Robert Faulkner, John Lacy, Patricia Limperos, Regina Patterson and Andre Coleman
The board:
l Approved an agreement with Lauren Hammond to teach writing and publishing after school for $120;
l Approved an agreement with Tanay Hill to teach financial literacy after school for $140;
l Approved an agreement with the Warren YWCA for after school programs for $5,763.54;
l Approved an agreement with Healthcare Billing Services Inc. for a total of 7 percent of the cash receipts that the district collects under their medicaid school program;
l Appointed committee members to serve as advisers to the career-based intervention program. Members include Warren G. Harding High School principal Dante Capers, Warren G. Harding guidance counselor Erin Kampf-Melilo, transition-to-work coordinator Melissa Batholomew, CBI teacher Hilary Allen, CBI teacher Daniel Bubon, McDonald’s general manager Guido Bucci, West Corp. manager Jennifer Thomason, McDonald’s store owner Kim Ritter, retired CBI teacher Joe Christopher, Lacy and Faulkner.
l Accepted a $500 anonymous gift for a Washington, D.C., trip for McGuffey PreK-8 School students and a $250 donation from St. Paul Lutheran Church for Lincoln PreK-8 School;
l Approved the following teacher’s tuition reimbursements: $278 for Susan Senvissky, $400 for Ashley Goff and $400 for Lana Malliaras;
l Approved the retirement of elementary education teacher Mark Carnahan effective May 29;
l Approved military leave for secondary education teacher Derek Pressell for May 1;
l Appointed Robert Kren as a substitute teacher at Lincoln PreK-8 through the end of the year at $85 per day;
l Approved the resignation of secondary education teacher Amanda Basile, effective April 24, and substitute teacher Vincent Vaughn, effective April 20;
l Approved the resignation of substitute night janitor Suzanne Diekmann, effective April 21, and community liaison Gerald Dowe, effective April 10;
l Approved the retirement of eight-hour bus driver Christine Heyd, effective June 30;
l Approved a leave of absence for food service manager Alice Stephens, effective April 6;
l Appointed end of the year contracts to Alison Evans as a special education teacher and Katie Keenan as a secondary education teacher;
l Appointed one year contracts to Kristin Barnes as a special education teacher, Kristen Bozin as an early childhood teacher, Steven Charnas as a special education teacher, Larissa Garrett as an early childhood teacher, Rosaane Gosselin as a media specialist and Kendra Lasko as an early childhood teacher;
l Approved continuing teaching contracts for Stephanie Gilligan, Stacy Marciano, Shari Munno and Siobhan Richarson, effective April 29;
l Approved a leave of absence for special education teacher Stephanie Shimko, effective April 2;
l Approved employment of Timothy Adams as a 5-hour delivery driver and Dennis Stienstra as a night janitor;
l Approved retitling necessary positions on the salary tables for classified hourly employees and classified non-supervisory and grant funded employees.
– Margaret A. Thompson
Warren Township
WHAT: Warren Township trustees meeting Tuesday
PRESENT: Terry Ambrose, Kay Anderson and Bob Bush
Trustees:
l Heard from Road Supervisor Rick Jones that the township received a $49,928 state grant for new stop and yield signs;
l Set spring cleanup for senior citizen pickup for 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13 to 15, with seniors needing to register at the road department by May 11 at 330-898-6188. Resident cleanup and dropoff will be from noon to 8 p.m. May 18 to 22 at the township garage, 3765 W. Market St. Jones said no burned barrel waste will be accepted;
l Appointed Darryl Parker to the zoning commission and William Ball to the zoning board of appeals, both effective Friday;
l Hired Scott Daskivich as seasonal cemetery caretaker / grounds keepers effective April 20 at $10 per hour.
l Announced a tire drop off has been scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon June 13 at road department, with a limit of eight tires per household.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Girard
WHAT: Girard City Council meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Reynald Paolone, Steve Brooks, Larry Steiner, Thomas Grumley, Joseph Shelby, John Moliterno and Louis Adovasio
ABSENT: George Eicher
Council:
l Approved advertising for bids for the paving of sections of Mohican Trail, Girard Avenue, Gary Avenue, Prospect Street, Ward Avenue, North Highland Avenue, Second Street, North Randolph Street, Taylor Avenue and Sioux Trail. Bids are expected by June with work to be done this summer;
l Voted 4-2 on legislation designating that clothing collection donation boxes are permitted only in business and manufacturing zoned areas and are not permitted on vacant or abandoned properties. The ordinance limits where the boxes can be placed. Grumley and Moliterno voted ”no” indicating they are against the boxes being located anywhere in the city;
l Approved the hiring of no more than eight temporary seasonal employees age 18 and older at $8.10 per hour between April and September at a cost not to exceed $35,000;
l Passed a resolution in support of maintaining the operations of the Youngstown Development Center which, provides services and care to developmentally disabled individuals;
l Scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. May 26 in council chambers on amendments to the storage of major recreational equipment and vehicles. The amendments were recommended by the city planning commission.
– Bob Coupland
Howland
WHAT: Board of Education regular Monday meeting
PRESENT: Matt Darrin, Ken Jones, Justin Kaszowski, Scott Lehman and Barbara Wright
The board:
l Accepted a $225 donation from the Dunlap Club for the district’s athletics and a 50-inch television and Bluetooth keyboard for H.C. Mines from Novelis;
l Approved a $10,800 appropriation funded by the state to defray network connection costs;
l Accepted the resignation of middle school math teacher Debra Brant, who has been working for the district since 1990;
l Appointed Andrea Ferenac as the district’s activities director. She will be leaving her position as a teacher and assistant activities director to do so;
l Agreed to eliminate the position of a Title 1 reading and math teacher at H.C. Mines Intermediate School and the position of a Title 1 English teacher at Howland Glen Primary School at the end of the school year. The eliminations were done because of state budget cuts and in compliance with the teachers union. Superintendent Kevin Spicher said the students affiliated with the positions will be assisted properly.
– Margaret A. Thompson
Newton
WHAT: Newton Township trustee meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Greg Dubos, Bob Page and Doreen Lutz
Trustees:
l Accepted the resignation of Kathleen King as secretary to the zoning department / boards effective May 15. Dubos said trustees will review what option to take on a replacement;
l Renewed contract with FirstEnergy Solutions for electrical aggregation with the county at a variable rate for residents with a savings of 3 percent;
l Re-enlisted with Caseworks Comp for third-party workers’ compensation administration through Ohio Township Association at $703. Dubos said the company will save the township money on processing work compensation claims;
l Traded in a radius turning lawn mower at $1,000 to Dean’s Power Equipment in Niles;
l Agreed to give local the AMVETS, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Army-Navy $100 each for Memorial Day ceremonies and for decorations of veterans graves.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Howland
WHAT: Howland trustees meeting Wednesday
PRESENT: Rick Clark, James LaPolla and Matthew Vansuch
Trustees:
Agreed to not ask for a hearing for a new liquor permit for Michael H. Cefalo, doing business as Mike’s Place, 1903 Niles Cortland Road NE, also known as the Tiger’s Den next to Katie’s Korner. The permit allows the purchase of wine and mixed beverages in sealed containers for carry out.
– Hilary Crisan
Lordstown
WHAT: Lordstown Village Council meeting Monday
PRESENT: John Mansell, Robert Bond, Karen Jones, Ronald Radtka, Donald Reider and Howard Sheely III.
Council:
Approved a resolution to place 36.5 acres of farmland on Highland Avenue belonging to Robert S. and Dorothy A. Bond into an agricultural district;
Approved a resolution to place 432 acres of farmland belonging to Kibler Family Properties LLC, located at Highland Avenue and Brunstetter Road, into an agricultural district;
Approved a resolution to place 121.75 acres of farmland belonging to Harvey D. and Dolly A. Lutz located at the corner of Hallock Young and Ellsworth Bailey roads into an agricultural district;
Approved an ordinance for the hiring of seasonal, part-time employees in the village’s water department. The employees will work no more than 28 hours week and be paid $8.10 per hour.
Heard from Stanley Zoldan, who requested the village consider either repairing the bus used for senior trips, so it can be taken outside of the village, or purchasing a large van that could be used to transport senior residents. Zoldan also requested the police department purchase and use body cameras.
– Raymond L. Smith
Bazetta
WHAT: Bazetta trustees meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Frank Parke and Ted Webb
ABSENT: Paul Hovis
Trustees:
Awarded the bid for spring cleanup to Sunburst Environmental Services, the low bidder at $639 per load;
Approved spending $5,000 for permits, construction and insurance for the new fire station;
Hired Nicholas Gregory as a reserve officer, pending a background check and the results of a pre-employment drug screen;
Agreed to buy a rooftop air conditioning unit and assorted materials from Collins Heating and Cooling Co. in Cleveland for $4,885 for the police department;
Agreed to buy two bulletproof vests for the police department for $1,507.
– Hilary Crisan
Niles
WHAT: Board of Education regular Thursday meeting
PRESENT: Tony Perrone, Richard J. Limongi, Christopher C. Doutt, Susan Giannetti Longacre and Mary Ann McMahon
The board:
Accepted donations of school supplies, hats, gloves, and scarves to the elementary schools from Trinity Lutheran Church;
Approved Danielle Park’s request for a leave of absence from her position as a bus driver, effective April 27 through the remainder of the this school year;
Approved Patricia Sudik’s resignation, for retirement purposes, from her position as an assistant cook at Niles McKinley High School, effective July 1;
Employed Kelly Dubaj and Lyda Vigorito as classified substitutes on an “as needed” basis for the remainder of this school year;
Approved Patty Fuda’s request to take May 5 as a day off without pay from her position as an assistant cook at Niles Primary School;
Approved the revised Trumbull County Educational Service Center substitute teacher list for the remainder of this school year;
Hired Sara Loney as a music teacher at Niles McKinley High School and Niles Middle School and approved a one-year limited teaching contract for the 2015-16 school year for her at $31,368.00;
Granted tenure to Michelle Rose, teacher of exceptional children at Niles Primary School;
Approved two-year administrative contract renewals, effective August 1 through July 31, 2017, for Christopher Chieffo, Niles Primary School assistant principal; Tracie Parry, Niles Middle school assistant principal; and Samuel Reigle, Niles Middle School principal;
Approved the two-year classified administrative contract renewal, effective July 1 through June 30, 2017, for John Jones, all buildings maintenance supervisor ;
Approved the two-year classified administrative contract renewal, effective July 1 through June 30, 2016, for Jill Gardlock, all buildings cafeteria supervisor;
Approved the appointment of Sara Loney as band director for the 2015-16 school year and granted her a one-year limited supplemental contract for $5,030.64;
Approved the following one-year personal service contracts for the this school year: William Eddy as a school physician for $2,500; Lindsay Bates as assistant girls softball coach at $1,732; Brett Wilson as seventh-and eighth-grade girls track coach at $2,020; and Joe Toth as a volunteer basketball coach;
Approved renewal the district’s employee health care with Anthem Blue Cross / Blue Shield for May 1 to April 30, 2016;
Approved memorandums of understanding with Youngstown State University, Hiram College, Gateway Community College and Kent State University for the College Credit Plus program.
-Margaret A. Thompson
On the record
Bloomfield
WHAT: Bloomfield Township trustee meeting on Tuesday
PRESENT: Roger Peterson Jr., Mark Smith and John Beran
Trustees:
l Are reviewing a request by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to change a road, the former Ruetnick Drive, from private to public and also a request by the conservancy to sell parcels of property they own in the township to the public. Officials are contacting the Trumbull County Engineer and Auditor on the requests.
The conservancy is planning to preserve property along the Grand River in Trumbull and Ashtabula counties with a $750,000 federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant received to purchase conservation easements from landowners along the Grand River over the next two years;
l Are looking for a full-time road supervisor with the resignation of John Clarence on May 8. Clarence has served as the supervisor since November 2013. Resumes are being accepted through May 1 by sending to Bloomfield Township Trustees, P.O. BOX 34, North Bloomfield;
l Set spring cleanup for 7 a.m. to noon May 2 at the township garage. Scrap tires will be accepted. Paint, chemicals or scrap wood will not be accepted.
.- Bob Coupland
Lordstown
WHAT: Lordstown Board of Education meeting on Wednesday
PRESENT: Roberta Hiller, Ronald Tyndall, Tracie Allen, William Catlin and Sandra McBride
The board:
l Passed resolution to ask Ohio Gov. John Kasich and lawmakers in the Ohio General Assembly to revise the laws to give the government more jurisdiction over charter schools and greater accountability for such schools;
l Accepted the retirement of teacher Janice Crosbie, who had more than 40 years in the district;
l Approved Mabel Jane Jackson, a registered nurse, as a consultant for $100 per month to help with nursing-related items and assistance to the nurse in the district. If additional services are needed, the fee will be $25 an hour;
l Announced district guidance counselor Donna Czeck has started the Devil’s Leader Club, which is a new leadership program for students;
l Received a grant from Ohio Department of Education for a MARCS in-school emergency communication system through a statewide grant program. Superintendent Terry Armstrong said the system quickly gets the schools in contact with local police and 911 in case of major emergencies;
l Accepted 61 bike helmets from American Academy of Pediatrics as the district is partnering with the village to distribute helmets to children in the community during Lordstown Fun Day;
l Recognized local companies and businesses, along with the district’s facilities and maintenance crews, for helping with boiler problems in February. The problems turned out to be a gas line coming to the building. Armstrong said a large amount of pipe was removed and replaced to restore the heat and get the schools open.
– Bob Coupland
Warren
WHAT: Warren City Council regular meeting on Wednesday.
PRESENT: Larry Larson, Alford Novak, John Brown Jr., Greg Bartholomew, Vince Flask, Cheryl Saffold, Eddie Colbert, Jim Valesky, Dan Sferra, Helen Rucker and Jim Graham.
Council:
l Passed a resolution recognizing Patriot Homecare, Inc., an inaugural business to enter the Warren Business Exchange in 2010. The business has grown from three to 37 employees and it did $1.5 million in business in 2014. It is moving out of the Warren Business Exchange to a Pine Avenue location;
l Had the first reading of legislation calling the number of wards to be reduced from seven to four. It will be reviewed by council’s legislative committee;
l Passed an ordinance changing the city’s open burning laws, which place the city more in line with state regulations.;
l Placed in second reading an ordinance that authorizes the administration to negotiate and then enter into a written agreement with Trumbull County commissioners to consolidate the city’s police dispatch with Trumbull County 911 Center.
– Raymond L. Smith
Newton Falls
WHAT: Newton Falls Village Council meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Richard Zamecnik, Nancy Hoffman, David Wilson, Phillip Beer and Tarry Alberini
Council:
l Re-appointed Jack Haney city manager, effective June 1. Haney’s new three-year contract will pay him an annual base salary of $87,500;
l Appointed Rick Bodnar to the planning and zoning commission to fill an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2017;
l Did not request a public hearing for a liquor license permit for Mi Amigo Mexican restaurant.
– Hilary Crisan
On the record
Cortland
WHAT: Cortland City Council Regular Meeting
PRESENT: Dennis Linville, James Edwards, Kevin Piros, Scott Rowley, Terry Tackett
ABSENT: James Woofter, Deidre Petrosky
Council:
l Approved second reading of $26,370 payment to Thomas Fok and Associates Inc. for detailed design of the Downtown Waterline Replacement Project- Phase III.
l Passed a resolution stating the city supports maintaining the operations of the Youngstown Developmental Center in Mineral Ridge.
l Authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with Alexander’s Pest Control Inc. for mosquito control.
Southington
WHAT: Southington Board of Education meeting Tuesday
PRESENT: Tim Arbogast, Patty Anderson, Bob Baugher, Betsy Dunn and Steve Gilanyi
The board:
l Approved a memorandum of understanding with Ohio Association of Public School Employees / American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 673 that lets volunteers help with ballfield maintenance in addition to school employees;
l Reported that there will be no need to make up any of the eight calamity days this January and February since five are allowed by the state and three others were covered with blizzard bags;
l Approved a workers compensation program with Compmanagement. Treasurer Janet Ward said the district has saved $27,000 annually with the group rating program;
l Approved an agreement with Trumbull County Educational Service Center for shared services, such as special education programs, at $360,548;
l Adopted a flex credit policy where students participating in sports can earn physical education credits;
l Approved a land use agreement with the Donaldson family, whose property is next to the school complex. Arbogast said the district lets the family use a section of school land for planting crops;
l Approved the junior and senior government classes field trip April 21 to the Trumbull County Courthouse in Warren and preschool trip May 21 to OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology in Youngstown;
l Recognized the junior high cheerleaders who won first place in their division at a cheerleading competition in Indiana this month;
l Recognized the high school Beta Club for competing in March at the state convention in Columbus and winning several top awards. Member Josh Johnston, a junior, was elected Ohio State Beta Club president;
l Plans to seek bids to have a mural painted on the gymnasium wall.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Farmington
WHAT: Farmington Township trustee meeting on Tuesday
PRESENT: Martha Yoder, Kevin Brontrager and Wesley Largen
Trustees:
Voted to sell a former school site on Old State Road to resident Jim Devlin for $1, pending a survey. The survey and the quit claim deed fee are to be paid by the buyer. Fiscal Officer Jay Allen said Devlin’s property is adjacent to the site and he has been maintaining it for many years. Officials said the property is sandwiched between several properties. Allen said the survey will determine the property’s boundaries and size. He said the township has owned the property for years since when the township operated the local school system about 100 years ago;
Scheduled a special meeting 11 a.m. Monday at the county engineer’s office to discuss road projects and maintenance.
– Bob Coupland
Weathersfield
WHAT: Weathersfield Local Schools Board of Education meeting Wednesday
PRESENT: Josh Garris, Cheryl Basista, Robert Palmer, Bruce Bacak and Tracey Thomas
The board:
Passed resolution to submit a request to the governor of Ohio and Ohio General Assembly to revise the laws to give the government more jurisdiction over charter schools;
Discussed the effects of the state phasing out tangible personal property taxes from district funding. The district estimates it will lose $250,000 in funding within the first two years;
Discussed that renovations of Mineral Ridge High School and Seaborn Elementary and demolition of the old middle school are on time and on budget, with an estimated completion date of May 29.
– David Roberts
On the record
Girard
WHAT: Girard city council meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Reynald Paolone, Steve Brooks, Larry Steiner, George Eicher, Thomas Grumley, Joseph Shelby, John Moliterno, Louis Adovasio
Council:
l Approved adding continuous parcels of land behind the water sewage plant facility to the property to help with planned additions at the facility. Law Director Brian Kren said the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated improvements needing to be made at the plant which require adding the parcels. Plans are to add new facilities to improve the existing plant as part of the peak flow treatment and equalization improvements;
l Will have the administration approve the final list of roads to be repaved this year. Officials said work needs to be done on all roads around Stambaugh Park as well as Randolph, Girard and Gary avenues. Eicher said the list will be finalized for the next meeting so council can advertise for bids for the work;
l Reported that soil samples are being taken for the Squaw Creek bridge project with the road closed where the bridge is located. The bridge was closed due to safety concerns;
l Heard from Treasurer Mark Zuppo that Shelley and Sands Paving was approved for the Interstate 80 federal construction and enhancement project which will begin this year and take three years to complete. Officials said the $92 million project will be from Route 46 to Belmont Avenue will include a section on Girard. The federally funded project includes paving and widening from four to six lanes and other improvements to the highway;
l Scheduled a public hearing 6 p.m. May 26 for prohibiting recreational vehicles and equipment, such as trailers and campers on residential properties, in compliance with zoning codes passed in 2010 needing updated.
– Bob Coupland
LaBrae
WHAT: LaBrae Board of Education meeting Monday
PRESENT: Virginia Blaney, Diane Duncan, Tim Gibson, Gary Morton
ABSENT: Russell Sewell
The board:
l Accepted the retirement resignation of Paula Cole, speech and language pathologist, effective May 29. She has more than 30 years with the district;
l Approved the 2015-16 school calendar with first day for students Aug. 24. The board made adjustments to the current school calendar with a student and staff makeup day on May 29;
l Granted a continuing contract to Melanie Reese, secretary to the treasurer, effective July 1;
l Approved the high school marching band’s May 7-9 trip to Washington, D.C.;
l Approved principals Jeffrey Starkey and Milajean Harkabus as Ohio Department of Education credentialed teacher evaluators. Harkabus was also granted a supplemental contract as Title I coordinator;
l Approved agreements with Eastern Gateway Community College, Kent State University and Youngstown State University for the College Credit Plus program where high school students can earn college credits with courses offered in high school;
l Approved Bascom Elementary Schools participation in the Success by Six four-week summer kindergarten readiness program through the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley;
l Approved revisions to the school calendar having certified staff with the LaBrae Teachers’ Association make up May 29 and work June 1 to 3 and classified staff with Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 278 make up three additional days following normally scheduled work days due this past winter’s calamity days.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Bristol
WHAT: Bristol Board of Education meeting on Wednesday
PRESENT: Dennis Lenney John Hickey, Kathy Johnson, Scott Chapman and Don Mickel
The board:
l Approved pay-to-participate fees for sports for the 2015-16 school year. They are $100 per high school sport and $75 for junior high sport with a cap of $300 per family;
l Approved graduation for 44 seniors. The ceremony will be 2 p.m. May 24 at the high school;
l Reported that the Warren City Health Department provided dental sealant checks to elementary school students at no cost to the district. Superintendent Chris Dray said the sealant work would have cost $5,100;
l Passed a resolution asking the Ohio General Assembly to change the state law to ensure greater accountability for Ohio charter schools;
l Renewed a contract with Julian and Grube at $3,500 per year through 2017 for accounting services;
l Approved a lease agreement for copiers for the schools with Xerox Financial Services LLC.
– Bob Coupland
West Farmington
WHAT: West Farmington village council meeting Monday
PRESENT: Melissa Moriarty, Dan Patchin, Tom Mooney, Tom Christlieb, Renee Stevens and Kim Woolf
Council:
l Named Robert Koehler as a part-time police officer effective Wednesday. He replaces Robert Horner, who is retiring after 20 years of service to the village;
l Heard from Mayor Shirley McIntosh that the village is planning a water meter check and replacement project. Meters that don’t work will be replaced;
l Appointed Sarah Soplata to serve on the Board of Public Affairs, which oversees the water treatment plant. When a village administrator is hired, the BPA will be dissolved. The BPA’s next meeting is 6 p.m. April 27;
l Gave a second reading to an ordinance that sets the job description for the administrator. McIntosh said unless a special meeting is held third reading is set for May 4;
l Hired Mahlon Bylar for mowing work in the village. He held the position last year;
l Reported estimates are being taken for road work and repair for the summer. The work is mostly filling potholes;
l Heard from McIntosh that the village is looking for anyone who can help with creating guidelines for the the water treatment plant. Interested persons can email to wfvillage@gmail.com;
l Set the cleanup day and tire collection for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Warren
WHAT: City Council regular meeting Wednesday
PRESENT: Larry Larson, Alford Novak, John Brown Jr., Greg Bartholomew, Vince Flask, Cheryl Saffold, Eddie Colbert, James Valesky, Dan Sferra, Helen Rucker and Jim Graham.
Council:
l Authorized the administration to sign an agreement with Trumbull County commissioners to designated them a consortium in the Home Investment Partnership program. The agreement must be renewed every three years, so the area will be eligible to receive an annual allocation of HOME grant funds. In the last two years, the area received just under $500,000 a year;
l Authorized the administration to apply for funds from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for financial assistance for the Warren Greenway Trailhead Project;
l Approved a resolution asking Ohio’s congressional delegation to vote against fast track legislation, which would enable the passage of national free trade agreements without Congress being able to thoroughly review the agreements.
– Raymond L. Smith
Southington
WHAT: Southington Township trustee meeting on Wednesday
PRESENT: Sam Plott, Bob Reader and Dan Tietz
Trustees:
l Announced they will continue talks with the local Boy Scouts over the “Explorers” program, which lets local teens experience the fire department. Tietz will meet with the representatives 6 p.m. Monday at the fire station to work out details;
l Hired Nezbeth Construction to make repairs and reinstall the privacy area around the port-a-johns at the township park. The area was damaged during a recent storm. The cost is $480;
l Purchased 10 feet of hose for $1,755 from Reiter Fire Service in Sharon, Pa., for the fire department;
l Approved $100 donation to the local American Legion for the Memorial Day program;
l Received a $1,489 scrap tire grant from Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District for scrap tire collection this spring;
l Announced they will meet 6 p.m. April 20 with the fire department at the fire station on policies and 5 p.m. April 27 at the county engineer’s office on township projects.
– Bob Coupland
Bristol
WHAT: Bristol Township trustee meeting on Tuesday
PRESENT: Doug Seemann, Ramon French and Mark Webb
Trustees:
l Reported township buildings, except the garage and zoning office, have been updated with LED lights. The new lighting is expected to save 40 to 50 percent on electric costs;
l Heard from Township Supervisor Greg Maraczi that the replacement of the Messick Road Bridge should begin in about three weeks;
l Set zoning inspector spring and summer hours at 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the zoning office;
l Reported that 280 hours of training so far this year has been completed by members of the fire department;
l Announced the spring cleanup will be 8 a.m. to noon May 2 at township garage. There is a limit of eight tires per household and no hazardous waste materials.
– Bob Coupland
Braceville
WHAT: Braceville Township trustee meeting on Tuesday
PRESENT: Todd Brewster, Aaron Young and Dennis Kuchta
Trustees:
l Accepted the resignations of patrolmen Brock Baltes and Brian Kelly. Both found other jobs;
l Approved spending up to $1,200 to fix brakes on the fire department tanker;
l Set the spring cleanup for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m .May 9 at the township gravel yard with limit of four tires per household. Anyone with more tires can contact a trustee.
– Bob Coupland
On the record
Bazetta
WHAT: Trustees regular meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Paul Hovis, Frank Parke and Ted Webb
Trustees:
l Authorized Fiscal Officer Rita Drew to transfer $2,296 from the general fund to the capital expenditures fund and $5,000 from the general fund to the zoning fund to pay bills;
l Authorized Drew to appropriate $295 for fire and EMS training supplies;
l Approved changing drug testing facilities for Bazetta’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Drug Free Safety Training at a cost of $255, plus $85 per counseling session. This will save the township about $6,000 over 10 years.
l Approved spending up to $10,000 with D&T PM Truck Repair for repairs to hydraulic generators, pump seals and pump bearings, to be paid from the fire fund.
l Approved spending $1,450 with American Tire Distributors for ten truck tires;
l Accepted the resignation of part-time patrolman Justin O’Rourke;
l Approved resolutions from both the fire and police departments requesting the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office to file a civil action for the recovery of costs from Trumbull County HazMat.
– Hilary Crisan
Lordstown
WHAT: Village council meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Robert Bond, Karen Jones, Ronald Radka, Donald Reider, Howard Sheely III and John Mansell
Council:
l Agreed to pay $36,705 to the Lordstown Board of Education as part a tax sharing agreement for income taxes generated from new employees of Intier / Magna Seating of America Inc.;
l Agreed to allow the fire department to provide mutual aid services to Warren Township by loaning it a tanker truck for $10 per year. The village recently purchased and put into service a new pumper truck;
l Hired seasonal, part-time positions in the village’s street and parks departments. The employees will be paid up to $8.10 an hour;
l Agreed to buy a new 2015 GMC Sierra truck through the Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Program.
– Raymond L. Smith
Hartford
WHAT: Hartford trustee meeting on Tuesday
PRESENT: Rebecca Whitman, Mike Bridge and Phil Wilhelm
Trustees:
l Heard from the park committee proposed plans to have a community bulletin board sign placed at the center at Routes 7 and 305. Whitman said the committee has acquired donations to cover costs for the sign and installation. Trustees will review the project before final approval;
l Reported the new 2015 sport utility police vehicle will be placed on the road this month;
l Approved the appointment of Hubbard Trustee Fred Hanley to the Trumbull County 911 Planning Committee.
– Bob Coupland
Cortland
WHAT: Cortland City Council regular meeting on Monday
PRESENT: James Woofter, Dennis Linville, Kevin Piros, Terry Tackett, Deidre Petrosky and James Edwards
ABSENT: Scott Rowley
Council:
l Authorized Mayor Curt Moll to apply for a grant from the Ohio Development Services Agency for community housing improvements;
l Authorized the mayor to donate .23 acres of municipal owned real estate to the Trumbull County Land Bank. The city owned and operated a water tower until it was taken off line and now sees no value in owning the land;
l Approved a resolution of support for the SCOPE center in Cortland. The city will give $10,600 to the center’s application for Trumbull County Senior Levy money for the needs of senior residents in Cortland;
l Agreed to spend $26,370 to hire Thomas Fok and Associates Inc. to design the third phase of a downtown-area waterline replacement project.
– Hilary Crisan
On the record
Brookfield
WHAT: Brookfield trustee meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Gary Lees and Dion Magestro
ABSENT: Ron Haun
Trustees:
Agreed to join the Community University Education Consortium to bid for road salt for the winter. If the bid is awarded, the township must buy at least 240 tons of salt, but no more than 300 tons.
Heard from Everest Operating, which wants to extend a gas line from the former high school property near the cemetery under state Route 7 to the township hall. Officials said this will likely not be allowed;
Agreed to seek a grant for smoke alarms from Wal-Mart and a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation to update street safety signs;
Approved Medicount Management of Cincinnati to handle emergency medical service billing for the township;
Agreed to meet 6 p.m. May 13 with the Thrasher Engineering design firm over revisions to the township’s comprehensive plan;
Agreed to meet 6:30 p.m. April 13 with a Constellation Energy representative regarding possible electrical aggregation option for the township;
Set the scrap tire drop off from 8 a.m. to noon May 2 at township garage and spring cleanup at the cemetery April 15 to 17;
Announced there will be a quarterly newsletter to inform residents of news and events.
– Bob Coupland
Champion
WHAT: Champion trustees meeting on Monday
PRESENT: Bob Farmer, Keith Bowser and Jeff Hovanic
Trustees:
Heard from police Chief Chris Redick, who wants to buy used patrol cars through the state’s cooperative purchasing program. He said the department has two vehicles with more than 170,000 miles and safety concerns;
Approved paying $7,000 to support SCOPE’s effort to secure a $35,000 grant for funding and continued operations of the Champion senior center. The amount is this year’s local share;
Agreed to pay the township’s 20 percent portion of an Ohio Department of Transportation grant for two truck plow packages, purchased from Meyers Equipment Corp. at $15,235;
Approved Scott Bower and Shane Uhrain as firefighters / paramedics reserves at $10 per hour;
Rehired seasonal employees Earl Huff at $8.35 an hour and Stan Petrick at $8.10 an hour to work part-time when needed in the road department and cemetery;
Approved an anti-idle resolution for township vehicles. In an effort to eliminate emissions caused by unnecessary idling of equipment, trucks or automobiles, it is a policy that employees are instructed, whenever possible, to limit the idling time of equipment and vehicles assigned to them to 15 minutes or less as per a grant requirement;
Approved Alexander Pest Control for mosquito spraying at $168 per hour on May 26, June 23, July 21, and Aug. 18. Residents requesting their yards not be spayed should call 330-847-8915;
Secured a $2,588 tire grant from Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste District;
Announced community cleanup day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 25 with items to be dropped off at the township garage and community garage sales April 30 to May 3;
Announced that decorations from graves should be removed before April 30 for spring cleanup;
Select Hubbard Trustee Fred Hanley as the trustee to the Trumbull County 911 Planning Committee.
– Bob Coupland