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BAZETTA -- After 24 years with the township road department, Michael Arnal has been promoted to road superintendent, effective Sunday.
Township trustees this week named Arnal to the new position.
Arnal, who began as a truck driver and most recently as equipment operator, said he looks forward to the new position and continuing to serve the residents.
Arnal replaces former road superintendent Kris Parke, who retired. Arnal served as an interim in the position.
"You have been a loyal employee for a long time," trustees Chairman Mike Hovis said, noting Arnal has served 24 years.
Arnal said this year the road department has not had to use as much salt on the roads nor as much overtime because the winter has been mild, compared to the heavy snowfall in early 2022.
He said road staff also have been replacing speed limit signs in the community that are cracking and fading. The road department also has been working with zoning officials to remove garage sale, political and other smaller signs left up at intersections.
Zoning inspector Pete Pizzulo said in recent weeks he has removed as many as 50 small signs, including 22 on the western side of the township, and also at intersections at Bazetta Road and state Route 305.
"We are starting to get a handle on the signs that were still out there. I've found a lot of signs in the brush off Bazetta Road. They were blown there by the wind," he said.
Those businesses, companies, residents or candidates who do not remove signs could face a $100 per day per sign violation. Pizzulo said he has contacted companies regarding small signs with a warning and consequences.
Garage sale signs are permitted for the day of the event, but then need to be removed.
Arnal said the road department also will be working at the township park.
Trustee Michael Morelli said a cleanup day in the park is set for March 25, with rain date of April 1, with community volunteers invited to help. The park is set to open April 8 with an Easter egg hunt.
Morelli said emphasis will be to clean up Imagination Station, which he said has about 10 more years of use.
"I have gone to different community groups in Bazetta including the Optimist Club, updating them on Imagination Station and the park. We should be good through 2030," he said.
Morelli said eventually an engineering study will be done to determine the life of Imagination Station. Work also is being done in the cemetery with residents asked to remove holiday decorations or they will be disposed of.
In other business, trustees:
• Were informed that firefighter Rob Wasser has completed the second class of a five-part training to become a public information officer. Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency hosted the free class that was offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
• Accepted the resignation of Rich Urchek from the police department's part-time secretary / clerk position effective Feb. 16;
• Reported the zoning commission will meet Monday and March 13 on prohibited uses and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station overlay for zoning.