Newton Township trustees have named Timothy Irons as the new part-time zoning inspector.

Irons, who replaces Rod Hedge who served five years, began Dec. 15 and attended his first trustee meeting this week.

Irons, who has a degree in political science with plans to attend law school, said this is his first zoning job.

“I know there will be a lot to learn,” he said.

Irons also works as a truck driver selling ice.

Irons said he has already addressed a few zoning violations, including junk vehicles in yards.

Trustees received six applicants for the position.

Trustee John Nemet said he has received calls from residents complaining of loud noise from a shooting range on Hewitt Gifford Road, including Sunday

Nemet said the property owner is certifying people to shoot.

He said there is nothing in zoning not allowing a shooting range, but there needs to be some regulation on the distance of where they can be located.

Residents at the meeting said people already shoot in parts of the township for deer hunting season.

2025 PROJECTS

In recapping projects completed in 2025, trustees reported the new bridge was installed and dedicated, linking the East Cemetery with the West Cemetery. There also was fencing work, a new flagpole installed and other work performed at the cemetery.

The Salt Springs Road paving project was completed with part of the road paved in 2024 and the other half in 2025.

Nemet said the Scott Street sewer project was completed in 2024 with the past year tap-ins being held.

Trustees also are working on a new one-year contract for police protection from the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office. The current contract expires Dec. 31.

Fiscal Officer Susan Montgomery said she has spoken to Sheriff Mike Wilson about the next contract, which she suspects will be retroactive to Jan. 1.

Officials said they do not want to exceed $51,000 for protection services.

The township provides a room at the town hall for the sheriff’s officers to use for paperwork.

Newton Falls Fire District Chief Jim Williamson reported that a fire station analysis is being done to determine the best location for a new fire station. He said the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association is assisting the department with the study.

Williamson said the First Street property owned by the fire department was purchased by Worldwide Securities Limited Critical and Integrated Systems of Ontario, Canada, for $20,000 for a 5,000-square-foot facility at the site, with 89% of the building for warehousing and the rest for offices.

Montgomery reported that Spectrum workers are in the township performing underground work on Hewitt Gifford Road. Officials said the township does have authority to regulate what can be done in the right of way.

Trustees also are waiting to see if the township will receive a $1,000 Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority grant to be used for a new fireproof file cabinet at $7,000. Officials said the cabinet is needed, but they will wait and see if the township receives the grant.

In other action, trustees:

• Discussed increasing boot allowance for road crew from $150 to $200 due to workers needing special safety boots for getting into roadside ditches with water, using tar on roads and lots, and digging at cemeteries and other places.

• Approved a personal day for roadworkers on Dec. 26, which means the township will be closed.

• Approved needed parts for the salt spreader for roads at $2,037 from Quality Truck of Youngstown, paid from gas tax.

• Heard from Williamson, who donated an automated external defibrillator for the township hall and also one for Newton Falls Park. The unit is used for CPR for someone in cardiac arrest.

• Heard from Nemet that the fire district as of mid-December has responded to 1,799 calls.

• Set the year-end meeting for 6 p.m. Monday.