NEWTON FALLS — Village officials plan to address at a future meeting a moratorium put in place in May 2024 on marijuana dispensaries in the community after 1st Ward Councilman Brian Kropp said at a recent meeting the moratorium needs to be reviewed.

He said there have been developments on dispensaries in the past two years since the moratorium was put in place, such as tax dollars communities can receive from them.

Niles, Girard, Warren and Austintown are among the local communities that have dispensaries and receive a percent of the sales tax from such establishments. Kropp said the moratorium needs to be discussed since the intention was not to make it permanent.

He said council and officials can discuss the pros and cons of marijuana dispensaries and the status of the moratorium, which allows for time to gather information and data.

Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis said the village is limited where a dispensary can locate such as not being near schools or churches.

“They need to be a certain radius away from schools and churches. That leaves very few places where a dispensary can be located,” he said.

Axiotis said the only locations would be off state Route 5 or sections of Ridge Road.

Mayor David Hanson said a discussion with zoning officials would help guide the village on what can and can’t be done. Kropp said he would like to have a future discussion and receive more information on options to not have a permanent ban.

GROUP HOMES

Kropp said there also needs to be a discussion by council on group homes and rental properties.

“This issue has been brought up and kicked around for years. There needs to be a discussion on this so we can acquire information,” Kropp said.

He also recommended having the discussion with Zoning Administrator James Lampkin.

Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said these items need to be discussed by the planning / zoning commission first. Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said the issues need to be discussed first by the zoning board.

Kropp said the planning / zoning commission has not been able to meet recently because it does not have a quorum of the five-member board.

Axiotis said there are still two open seats on the planning / zoning board that need filled.

A board meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 17.

Lampkin, who attended the meeting as part of department heads making reports to council at one meeting per month, said he started in the position in November. He said he is focusing on code enforcement including snow removal from sidewalks, junk vehicles and nuisance properties.

Mayor David Hanson said it is the responsibility of the homeowner or business to clear the sidewalks.

“The sidewalks in front of the businesses and homes need to be kept clear for people needing to walk places or children to get to school,” Hanson said.

Officials said there are safety concerns for people walking on sides of roads because there are no available sidewalks. This concern has been discussed in other communities as well.

Kropp said he has received a few complaints about snow removal, but noted the road crews have been doing a good job.

Rufener said residents of the 4th Ward went out one day to help clear driveways for elderly residents.

Rufener also reported that businessman Tom Colosimo is promoting the downtown businesses with a community treasurer hunt event. Colosimo of Fieldview Acres Mercantile said he is trying to get business to town, noting six businesses are on the verge of closing their doors, which hurts the community as a whole.

He said he came up with a treasure hunt that will last months with small clues given out periodically to get as many visitors as possible to come to town to shop, eat and see what the village has to offer.

Colosimo has said the long-term treasure hunt is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore Newton Falls, spend time in the community and support the small businesses that help sustain it. The hunt is free to participate.