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NEWTON FALLS -- Village council this week gave the initial first reading to repeal a moratorium placed two years ago on permits for marijuana dispensaries.
Councilman Brian Axiotis, 2nd Ward, said the moratorium was put in place by council in May 2024 over concerns with marijuana dispensaries and finding out more information about them.
"At that time there were a lot of unknowns, and the moratorium was to allow for more discussion and review on marijuana dispensaries, which there has been very little," he said.
Axiotis said he saw a dispensary facility in Geneva-on-the-Lake that will bring in tax dollars to that community.
Councilman Brian Kropp, 1st Ward, said the moratorium has been in place and there have been guidelines in place at the state level with Senate Bill 56. He said the zoning board did little discussion on the topic.
Kropp said the moratorium needed to be repealed since the intention was not to be permanent.
Councilman Kevin Rufener agreed that the moratorium was to be "a short term delay" with Senate Bill 56, which was passed in May, indicating many guidelines on dispensaries that communities can follow such as distances facilities need to be from schools, churches and parks.
"A moratorium is not the way to stop something of this nature," Rufener said, noting the new law helps communities.
He said he has heard from residents both for and against dispensaries and is willing to listen to other public comments.
Officials agreed there have been developments at the state level 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. 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.
Axiotis said the only locations for such facilities would be off state Route 5 or sections of Ridge Road not near schools or churches.
The final reading on repealing will be Aug. 19.
WELCOME VILLAGE MANAGER
Jeremy Shaffer attended his first council meeting Wednesday as village manager.
He said he has been meeting with the department heads and superintendents and also attended local community events to meet the public.
"It has been a learning experience as I move forward in the position," Shaffer said.
Kropp said he is pleased with the work being done by Shaffer since he started last month,
"You have a good grasp on everything going on in the community," he said to Shaffer.
Axiotis said the next step is to find a city clerk/clerk of council.
He said there have been several applicants.
Councilwoman at-Large Julie Stimpert said the council will review the applicants, narrow the list and then interviews will take place.
Kathy King is currently serving in the position until a new clerk is named.
ROAD REPAIRS
Several roads are scheduled to be repaired this year at a cost not to exceed $40,000.
Streets include sections of North and South Canal, Arlington, North Center, Warren Road, Ridge, Liberty and Ophelia.
Axiotis asked what determines which roads will be done, noting that Marshall Avenue in his ward is in bad condition.
Shaffer said many of the roads on the list had water breaks this year and need to be done since the streets have been previously dug up. He said the street department officials also looked at the condition of the roads and made a recommendation.
Shaffer said a list will be compiled for next year with plans to seek Ohio Public Works Commission funds.
Council also approved the position of administrative assistant/paralegal for the city law department at $18 per hour.
Rufener said the person hired will assist Law Director Gary VanBrocklin with the funds to cover the position already incorporated into the law department budget for this year.
Officials said the position will help the law department continue to function on the legal needs of the city.