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NEWTON FALLS -- After arguments among village council and community members about a revolving loan fund and use of park ballfields, one agenda item managed to be approved Wednesday -- while the other was removed for further review.
Village council approved 5-0 an ordinance entering into an administrative agreement with Neighborhood Development Services Inc. for the implementation of the Newton Falls revolving loan fund, which allows low-income families to apply to receive loans for home improvements.
Removed from the agenda and referred back to the park / recreation board was a resolution for a memorandum of understanding for the use of the village ballfields.
About 35 people attended the council meeting, speaking on a variety of topics including a canceled council meeting earlier this month, as well as the revolving loan fund.
Resident and former councilman Adam Zimmermann said he questioned the zero-interest loans to help people with certain repairs and projects such as windows, roofs and furnaces.
"There are a lot of guidelines that need to be followed to qualify, such as being very low income. It sounds like a fantastic deal for low-income people. The problem that comes up is this loan is due when you sell your house or when you pay off your mortgage. You are responsible for the entire amount of that loan at that time. In the meantime, a lien is placed against your property, which makes it harder for a loan to be refinanced on your house," Zimmermann said.
He urged council not to vote on the issue.
Second Ward Councilman John Baryak said the revolving loan fund was started in 2006 or 2007.
"I don't know anyone who was hurt by this. In fact, there were many people who were helped when they needed a roof or windows. These loans have helped people facing hardships who need a roof or a window. This is a godsend for people needing help," he said.
Law Director Brad Bryan said residents receive the money to make repairs and do not have to pay it back right away. It is a loan on which people can make payments.
Village Manager Pam Priddy said 25 people in recent years have applied and received assistance. She said the money is like "a revolving grant" in which people pay back the money and it replenishes that fund to help someone else.
Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said originally $145,000 was put into the revolving loan fund.
"This helps residents who don't have the means that other people may have. This is an option to get assistance that they would otherwise not have. That is what this was back in 2006 and what it is now," he said.
First Ward Councilman Gideon Fetterolf said the money is being made available interest-free.
USE OF BALLFIELDS
Several residents and people associated with various baseball leagues were against a proposed resolution to give the council complete control of the village ballfields.
Resident Tim Stinson, chairman of the parks / recreation board, said he wanted the issue first to be addressed by the parks / recreation board. He asked council not to vote for the resolution in its current form.
"This goes against what we agreed upon," he said.
Joe Stutzman, organizer with Outsiders Baseball League, said he was concerned because the games are held at a public park and everyone should be allowed to use the fields fairly.
"We thought everything had been worked out. Most of the people on our team pay (village) taxes to use it. It's kind of ridiculous, and I don't think that this resolution is anywhere fair to anyone," he said.
Resident Mark Stimpert said he does not believe the village needs to get involved with the issue.
Those who spoke expressed concerns that passage of the resolution would have given the Newton Falls Youth Baseball League priority over every other group.
After hearing from several people, 3rd Ward Councilwoman Tesa Spletzer made a motion to pull the resolution from the agenda and have the park board re-evaluate the language.
Stinson said he appreciated that council did not approve the resolution but returned it for more review.
"I applaud council for doing that," he said.
The park / recreation board will meet May 23.