NEWTON FALLS — The village’s newly formed historic structures and sites advisory committee will soon have six community members appointed and begin working this month on such structures that need repairs at the community center and at the park.

Village Manager Pam Priddy, who will serve as the seventh member on the board, said three of the members on the committee will be people who have served with Heritage Accord.

“They will be on the committee as individuals and not as members representing Heritage Accord. We should begin having meetings in the next three weeks,” she said.

Applicants were sought for the board.

She said Heritage Accord is submitting five names of people interested in serving on the committee and she will select three. As chair of the advisory board, Priddy will appoint the other six members of the board. One board member shall be appointed for a five-year term, two board members shall be appointed for three-year terms and the three other board members shall be appointed for one-year terms.

Priddy said the village is waiting on a $5 million Appalachian grant application, with those funds to be used for needed improvements at the community center.

The village is also seeking $2.5 million river grant for improvements along the river.

She said she has been in contact with Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and Newton Falls is still part of the Appalachian grant.

“The grants are to be awarded before the end of the year so we should know something shortly,” Priddy said.

Officials have said those funds would go to extensive repairs and work at the center.

Officials said the next step is to get someone inside the building to look over the floors and plan for a roof replacement due to damages.

“The village has allotted $52,000 for roof repairs, but it may cost more once the work is being done,” Priddy said, indicating insurance money will help cover repair costs. The floor and walls also require work and are being checked to see if they are covered by insurance. The floor needs to be stablilized so it does not collapse.

Priddy said a judge recently ruled the lease with Heritage Accord for the community center was terminated and not in effect and the organization is out of the building.

She said Heritage Accord does have the right to go back to court if the village does not get the $5 million grant.

VILLAGE COUNCIL

Village council, by a 3-2 vote, approved the formation of the historic structure and sites advisory committee.

Voting in support were council members John Baryak, Gideon Fetterolf and Tesa Spletzer. Voting against were council members Kevin Rufener and Julie Stimpert.

Rufener has said very few historic structures are owned by the village.

The covered bridge — the village’s most famous landmark — is owned by the county.

“This is all about the community center, which the village owns. I do not agree with this,” he said.

Priddy said the committee will oversee not only what the village owns such as the community center, stone pavilion and markers at the park that also could be registered as historic landmarks.

“We have some businesses in the downtown who want to have an historic district. This committee can help them with that process and look for grants. There are also older historic homes in the community that can be assisted,” she said.

There also is a bridge at the cemetery and a pavilion in the park.

“The committee will be looking at other projects that need to be worked on. It will not be just limited to the community center which we need to have be self-sustaining. This will be a working committee,” she said.

Council also voted 3-2 to name Priddy to the unpaid position of director of the advisory committee.

Fetterolf said Priddy would be appropriate for the position because she has been working at securing $5 million in Appalachian funds for improving the center.

“We want to make sure these historical structures are preserved and kept out of the political arena,” he said.

Rufener had said he voted against the measure, indicating he is concerned about “bias” if Priddy serves in the position.

“I question how she can sit professionally as the director of this board and carry out the duties without bias,” he said.

Officials said the department of historic sites and structures advisory board would be entrusted to protect village history and ensure that such sites owned by the village remain historically intact and are well maintained for future generations.

Priddy said the board will make sure the sites are self-sustaining, are maintained and taken care of when they are rented. The money would not come from the general fund but from fees received for rentals, leases and uses of such sites.