NEWTON FALLS — Village Police Chief John Barco told council this week that community engagement with residents has increased and that he has been speaking with operators of rehabilitation homes in the village.

Barco said he has received calls from residents about recovery houses, prompting him and 1st-Ward Councilman Brian Kropp to contact officials from the Ohio Recovery Housing Commission regarding treatment programs and their impact on the community.

Barco said residents have expressed concern about such facilities near their homes.

“The meeting we had helped in better understanding of the program operations that are offered to help people. We look forward to continued cooperation from them,” Barco said. “We want to have a good working relationship with the treatment facilities to benefit both the residents and their concerns and those seeking treatment and recovery.”

Kropp said when he receives calls from constituents regarding such issues and others, he tries to direct them to the appropriate contact.

He said the police department and local school district have worked together on recent rapid response training for emergency situations and critical incidents. Newton Falls police officers and officers from other agencies have taken part in the training.

Barco said the department is in the process of securing a permanent impound lot and will be working with Windham police to use their towing and impound lot.

Barco said the police have also handled several criminal investigations with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, which have resulted in felony charges and arrests.

Also, council has approved a resolution to sign a letter of support for the Ohio Department of Agriculture Land Use Planning grant application.

Fourth-Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener explained the resolution supports Trumbull County’s application for a land-use planning grant, which would help fund development of a comprehensive plan for local communities.

Kropp asked if there would be any financial benefit returned directly to the village.

Rufener said the county needs to secure the grant first, then the community could potentially access the funds.

WASTEWATER PLANT

Council approved proceeding with the purchase and installation of a replacement wastewater pump for the water treatment plant.

Rufener said one of the required pumps had failed, leaving the facility operating below optional capacity and creating potential compliance risks.

He said there is urgency because the plant requires three pumps for normal operations and is currently down one, with another experiencing issues.

Rufener said delays in ordering due to tariffs and long lead time could result in a wait of several months, creating risks for Environmental Protection Agency compliance.

Kropp said sourcing the replacement pump in Ohio could help avoid delays.

Mayor David Hanson said he had concerns with the treatment plant, emphasizing the need to address equipment issues. He suggested the village should assess unused or nonworking equipment across departments and consider reallocating or replacing it to better support operations at the plant.

Hanson said he most recently visited the plant and said the asphalt on the property is in poor condition and needs resurfaced after decades without updates.

In other business, Matthew Michaels, new commander of American Legion Post 236, said the legion is committed to working with the village and being of service to the local community.