NEWTON FALLS — Village council approved a $65,000 contract to a national consulting firm to update the community’s comprehensive plan.

Village Manager Jamie Vernaccini told council on Wednesday that the current plan was completed in 2015. OHM Advisors, which has offices in Akron and Cleveland, was approved to undertake the project.

Vernaccini said for the village to move toward a brighter future, council needs to support implementing an overall strategy to establish its goals and address economic development, infrastructure needs, capital improvement planning and priorities of the village, such as utilities.

Councilwoman at-large Julie Stimpert said “This comprehensive plan will be our outline for our future.”

She said things have changed in the past 10 years.

Stimpert said a comprehensive plan will help with the village seeking grants for projects to help the village.

“We need updated data and information when seeking grants. I feel this is an investment that we will see returns and see things happen,” she said.

Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis, who supported the motion, questioned what measures will show what the plan has done in reaching the goals and needs of the village.

“If you have no direction or a plan and are just throwing the money wherever it goes, you are not accomplishing anything,” 4th Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said.

“The plan will help identify future needs. We can get input on what direction the residents want for the village.”

Axiotis said the village currently does not have the funds for many matching grants and hopes the plan will help to show how this can change.

“I hope spending $65,000 will help tell us what we need to know,” he said.

Resident John Baryak said the village spent $18,000 for the last comprehensive plan and said it was not used. He said that instead of having another one done it is better to use the $65,000 somewhere else.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

In other business, Stimpert said the village and school officials have been talking about ways to promote the historic downtown area.

She said talks have included high school students creating short videos showcasing the village’s historical sites and businesses to attract tourists.

Stimpert said she would like to also feature the local veterans organizations, which include American Legion, AMVETS and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

First Ward Councilwoman Patricia Benetis said she would like to see live history programs done in the village like other communities do to showcase their histories.

Stimpert said plans are to get historical signs posted in the village to showcase the designation of the downtown business district being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.