Newton Falls

WHAT: Village council meeting Tuesday

PRESENT: Julie Stimpert. Patricia Benetis, John Baryak and Kevin Rufener

Council:

— Approved increasing the electric rates to help raise money for upgrades to the electrical department. Rufener said for the average electric user, the rate will increase by one cent per kilowatt hour. A $4.75 service charge will help build a reserve for necessary electric department upgrades.

— Approved Heidi Zimmermann to the parks and recreation commission for a three-year term through December 2026. This was the final seat that needed filled on the board.

— Tabled until the next meeting a proposal from OHM Advisors for engineering service for the 2024 paving program at $53,700.

— Set the organizational meeting for 5 p.m. and the next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 3.

— Bob Coupland

Newton Falls

WHAT: Board of Education December meeting

PRESENT: Teresa Oakes, Tonya Kline, Amie Crowder, Carole Mazanetz-Elliott and Chris Mazur

The board:

— Accepted the retirement-resignation of Scott Kernan, guidance counselor, effective Feb. 29.

— Approved Camp Fitch trip for fifth-graders March 5 to 8 and baseball team trip to Unionville, Tennessee, March 24 to 30 during spring break.

— Accepted a $12,500 donation from the Newton Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars for the athletic complex and marching band.

— Recognized Chad Stiffler, Jordan Maffitt and Piper Johannsmeier, who worked on and painted a snow plow for the annual Ohio Department of Transportation competition with area schools.

— Entered into an agreement with Trumbull County Educational Service Center for various special education and other services at $646,117.

— Set the organizational meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 11.

— Bob Coupland

Brookfield

WHAT: Board of Education

PRESENT: Ronda Bonekovic, Sarah Kurpe, Derek Mihalcin, Jerry Necastro and Melissa Sydlowski

The board:

Approved a motion to select a contractor to repair or replace the bus garage roof. The board is waiving the competitive bid process because the repair is an emergency.

— Accepted donations from the Tice family and the Masury Brookfield Women’s Club. The Tice family donated $100 to the school pantry and the Women’s Club donated Warrior Wear clothing.

— Approved a one-year limited contract for Sabbrina Landers as a community liaison for $44,381 for the 2024-25 school year totaling 225 days and $24,064 the rest of the 2023-24 year, effective Jan. 3.

— Approved a one-year limited contract for bus driver David Eliser at $18.50 per hour, effective Jan. 3.

— Approved the resignation of substitute bus driver Elaine Goodrick, effective Dec. 6.

— Approved the supplemental contract of vocal music director Lauren Zetts for $520 for 2023-24.

— Approved the supplemental contracts of eSports coaches Tim Reinsel and Josy Kirila, both for $1,040 and effective 2023-24.

— Approved the supplemental contracts of evening bus duty workers Jay Bodnar and Dan Madeline, each for a $675 stipend.

— Approved rescinding the 2023-24 supplemental contract for Royce Satchell as volunteer girls basketball coach, which had been approved at the Nov. 15 meeting.

— Approved that Ronda Bonekovic be appointed president pro Ttmpore to open the 2024 organizational meeting at 4 p.m. Jan. 11. The next regular meeting will be 6 p.m. Jan. 17.

— Hailey Rogenski

Champion

WHAT: Township trustees meeting Thursday

PRESENT: Doug Emerine, Bill Templeton and Rex Fee

Trustees:

— Added sections on wind turbines, solar panels and electric-vehicle charging stations to the zoning codes. A public hearing took place on the text amendments with no one speaking for or against.

— Changed the zoning text on feathered signs to allow them in the township. Previously, they were prohibited.

— Are continuing negotiations with the police union on its next contract. Trustees and their attorney are reviewing the pact.

— Appointed Silas Dozier to the zoning commission for a five-year term starting Jan. 1, Trish Kover and George Barcikowski as alternates to the zoning commission for two years effective Jan. 1, and reappointed Robert Haas to the zoning board of appeals for one year effective Jan. 1.

— Are looking for an alternate for the zoning board of appeals for five years.

Approved an agreement with Verizon at $25 per month per line for up to 10 lines and approved purchase of 13 handsets up to $150 for four and $100 for the remaining nine handsets at savings of $159 per month.

Recognized Champion resident Hayes Yocum, a volunteer firefighter, for being named a 2023 Twenty Under 20 by the Tribune Chronicle.

— Reported the county commissioners are scheduled to address the Allison Avenue project at the Jan. 4 meeting.

— Set the organizational meeting for 6 p.m. Jan. 8.

— Bob Coupland