NEWTON FALLS — Former village councilman John Baryak voiced his concerns to village council Wednesday over the increasing number of drug rehab and sober recovery houses in the community.

Baryak said there are 11 such facilities in the village.

He said he understands federal law protects such facilities and suggested legislation be prepared by council that those living in such facilities longer than 30 days start paying income tax.

He noted that income taxes from residents would help the city with finances.

Baryak explained that people working locally for many months stay at local hotels and pay nothing in income tax.

He said those getting help at recovery houses are also working, and some stay at the houses for seven to eight months or longer.

Baryak is also concerned that at some recovery houses, there have been problems with fights and cursing.

“I firmly believe in rehabilitation, but with the size of our community, Newton Falls should not be burdened with the problems that have occurred at these places.”

Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis said he understands the concern of Baryak and other residents regarding the recovery houses and the number in the community, but these establishments cannot be discriminated against.

However, Axiotis said the idea of income tax from people there can be looked into.

In October 2022, a former village council on which Baryak served took steps to allow licensed sober rehabilitation houses where zoning permits them in the village.

Council voted to amend the village’s zoning rules that relate to residential addiction services or treatment facilities and houses.

Baryak had said previously council wanted to make sure the houses were licensed.

“We are not against anyone receiving rehabilitation, but they can’t be in residential areas. We want to at least know what is going on and not wake up one morning and have a sober house next door to you. They will have to go through property procedures and zoning,” Baryak had said.

If more than five people are in a treatment house, it has to be in a multi-family or industrial-zoned district. If there are five or fewer in the house, it can be located in a residential-zoned area. The properties will be inspected to make sure all zoning requirements are followed.

In other business, Axiotis said there have been problems with the planning / zoning board to meet due to lack of members and also not being able to record minutes.

Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said there are plans to get tape recorders for the various boards so they can record meetings for accurate minutes. She suggested holding a work session to discuss the matter further.

Council has been seeking interested residents to serve on the planning, zoning, treasury investment, and park and recreation boards.

Resident Brian Kropp said some issues need to be addressed by the board and the need to get people seated.

He said the meetings also need to be done properly.

“We are lacking bodies on these boards and are not able to always get the tasks done these boards are charged with,” Kropp said.

Some meetings lack a needed quorum and have been canceled or postponed.

Also, Stimpert suggested council look into the idea of a Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) for the village.

She said many other communities have DORAs that are thriving and bring in many people who do business in those communities.