Trending
HOWLAND -- An historic barn near SLOAS Airfield that was damaged in a windstorm will undergo repairs thanks to help from the Howland Rotary Club.
Kim Mascarella, planning / zoning director, told trustees Wednesday that high winds in the spring damaged and caved in the western side wall of the large barn. A beam was broken.
She said works need to be done on the wall to prevent the barn from falling in. Mascarella said restoration experts looked at the barn.
Trustees approved using $2,750 in American Rescue Plan funds for the project and were informed by legal counsel the project is an appropriate expenditure of ARP funds.
The Howland Rotary contributed $2,000 for the $3,750 project which will fix the wall.
"Doing something now is needed to prevent future problems," she said,
Mascarella said plans are to restore the barn and use it as a pavilion for picnics.
She said Trumbull County MetroParks has its offices nearby but the property, which also includes a community garden, is owned by the township.
Trustee Jim Lapolla said he has contacted state officials to see if any funds available for the project.
CELL TOWER
Residents asked trustees about a cell tower possibly being placed on property near Howland Springs School.
Resident Bruce Gump asked if any requests for construction have been made. He said area residents are concerned their property values will go down.
Mascarella said a company would need to notify the township of such plans. A hearing would be required if a tower were being proposed for placement on property zoned residential or if someone lodges a complaint, she said.
No hearing would be needed if a tower was placed on commercially zoned property, Mascarella said.
ANNEXATION
Trustee Matt Vansuch said a hearing is set for 10 a.m. Aug. 28 by the Trumbull County commissioners on a proposed annexation issue between Howland and Niles.
There have been talks with Niles officials in hopes of reaching some kind of agreement before the hearing on guidelines regarding annexation of land, he said. "If we can't reach an agreement on guidelines, we will continue to fight."
The city of Niles is attempting to annex more than 31 acres of Howland and Vienna townships. A hearing before county commissioners on the proposal has been delayed numerous times.
In other business, police Chief Nick Roberts said plans are to get yellow reflective vests to be handed out to children and adults in the community when they are riding bikes or walking.
Roberts said police officers will have the vests in their cruisers and hand them out to children and adults in the neighborhoods.
"The vests are reflective and will help keep people safe at night. This would be a good safety program for us to have," he said.
Roberts said the vests also will be available to Howland residents at the police department for anyone who needs them. Identification is required for proof of residency.
Trustees approved $1,000 in American Rescue Plan funds for the yellow reflective vests.