Southington

WHAT: Township trustees meeting July 9

PRESENT: Charles Hagman, Cindy Speaker and Dan Tietz

Trustees:

• Approved various text amendments to the zoning codes recommended by the zoning commission including prohibiting large solar and wind turbines for commercial use, and adding electric vehicle changing station regulations. Residents are permitted smaller solar and wind turbines. Trustees sent some prohibited uses back to the zoning commission for further review. Officials said the amendments help the zoning inspector when dealing with violations.

• Heard from resident David Hubinsky, who asked about the vacant Halfway Restaurant off U.S. Route 422. He said he has seen people trying to get inside the building, and birds and animals have gotten inside the building. Zoning Inspector Al Haberstroh said he has been addressing the matter and noted the company that owns the property lives out of state. Hubinsky said there is also a property off Herr Fieldhouse Road where large solar panels are leaning up against the house.

• Heard from Brandan Christener that there are dilapidated homes in the township and some residents on fixed incomes unable to fix them. Hagman said residents are required to maintain their properties, which includes removing trash from lawns and house furniture off front lawns. He said the township offers an annual spring cleanup with trash bins.

• Heard from Speaker, who said she will get in touch with Braceville trustees about seeking Ohio Public Works Commission funds jointly and sharing costs for paving Herr Fieldhouse Road, which is in both townships.

• Heard from residents concerned with the condition of Anderson Anthony Road between state Route 305 and U.S. Route 422. Residents said parts of the road are deteriorating.

• Approved letting This Means War non-profit, which raises funds for those battling breast cancer, to be able to use the 1907 building to store donated items for a fundraiser in September.

• Approved Colton Gray as a volunteer firefighter and $1,500 for his emergency medical service training. He will be required to work for the fire department for two years after completing training.

• Approved Roger Bruce to attend paramedic and emergency medical service training at University Hospitals at $6,500 with 90% covered by a grant from Job and Family Services. He will be required to work for the fire department for two years after completing training.

• Reported the fire department received a $4,651 emergency medical service grant.

• Announced fire department open house is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9, which is also the Back to School event at the park at same time.

— Bob Coupland

LaBrae

WHAT: Board of education meeting Monday

PRESENT: Karen Ancell, Brad Gamlin, Tim Gibson, Julia Shutt, and Russell Sewell

The board:

• Is conducting a two-question survey on its website, asking the public if the board meetings were recorded and broadcast live similar to what they did during the coronavirus pandemic would the public watch them and also watch them later if they were made available for viewing after the meeting was held. The board members have discussed the idea for several months.

• Approved an agreement with Great Lakes Biomedical as the student drug testing vendor for students in extracurriculars such as sports. Superintendent Anthony Calderone said the district has used the company for several years and costs are based on how many students are tested, between $5,000 to $6,000 per school year. Students in non-extracurricular activities can also be tested if parents opt students in.

• Heard from Calderone that work should begin in August on the band shell. The district will host its annual band night on Aug. 11.

• Approved an agreement with Cadence Care Network for social workers for the district.

• Approved an agreement with Trumbull County Educational Service Center for public relations services at $13,900.

• Approved membership in the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of school funding at $1,970.

— Bob Coupland