Wellsville Council Meeting

Wednesday - March 3: Wellsville Council met last evening at Village Hall for their regular bi-monthly meeting. With the basekball tournament game Tuesday the meeting was moved to Wednesday. All Council Members were present along with Mayor Joe Surace, Village Administrator Jim Saracco, Fiscal Office Dale Davis, Zoning Administrator Rick Williams, WFD Fire Chief Bill Smith and Animal Control Officer Leslie Dean.

In the Public Speaking, Osbourne Road resident Brian Wallace, representing the Trade Unions, gave an update on the Gazebo rennovations. Last summer the Chamber-of-Commerce announced they were going to sponsor the refurbishing of the 4th Street Gazebo. The Western Reserve Building & Trades Council offered to donate the labor and expertise to do the actual labor. Lumber was purchased by the Chamber in August for the project. That lumber was green and brand new, needing to be dried before any work on the project could begin. Wallace was introduced by Councilman Randy Allmon.

Wallace reported that the lumber has been in a heated trailer and there is still some a little wet. The lumber has to be dry before primer & paint can be applied. EL Architect Scott Sheppard is designing the anchors to be used on the new posts. The posts will be anchored on both the top & bottom. A local contractor has agreed to furnish and transport any needed heavy equipment. Members from the Painter's, Brick Layer's, Labor & Carpenter's Unions will be the primary trades people. Wallace noted that some apprentice brick layers from the Wellsville area will be getting quite some experience with the stone work.

Wallace advised that as soon as the weather breaks the project will begin. They are ready to get to it and Wallace answered "I don't see why not" when asked by Mayor Surace if they thought it would be done in time for the Reunion. Surace thanked the trades saying "the Village really appreciates what you're doing".

For Administration Reports, Village Administrator Jim Saracco reported that Allison Contracting has been hired to inspect and work on the flood system pumps. They have cleaned out the pits and are currently are replacing some oil lines and doing a little electrical work. Work should be completed by Friday. WFD Bill Smith advised work should be wrapped up by Thursday and he is getting together with Mark Allison on Friday. Saracco stated this work is a "dire necessity & something we need. We can't mess around with" the possible threat of flood.

Following the meeting Councilman Joe Soldano remarked he inquired about any possible grants for the flood control system at the Charlie Wilson sponsored grant seminar a couple of weeks ago. He also asked the Village's grant writer to check the radar to see if anything for flood systems is out there. So far nothing has come back.

WFD Chief Smith added that the flood threat "is not the brightest picture" he ever saw. He added Mother Nature has been co-operating with a slow thaw doing the day light hours and freezing temperatures at night. Barring any sudden big rise in temperatures and not getting any heavy rain falls we should be okay. Flooding is still possible but the out look is not as bad as originally anticipated.

Saracco also reported that filling pot holes with cold patch got started Wednesday. He stated he only has two Street Department employees available and there's a lot of territory to cover. He asked that residents remain patient and use caution when driving.

Fire Chief Smith reported that contracts to tear down six dilapidated structures in town has been awarded by the County. As soon as the County Commissioners approve of the expenditures work will start. Pictured above are two of those six structures to be torn down that are located on Main Street. Smith added he is still waiting to hear about three additional buildings he submitted.

The demolition is being paid for out of a $1.5 million stimulus grant the County got last year for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The six Village buildings approved have all been released by their owners to be torn down. Smith added three additional ones in the same category hoping enough left over funds will be available for those too. In the newspapers this morning it was reported that the bids were coming in "well below the original estimate of $5,000 per demolition". According to the papers Pam Dray of the County Development Dept. said there is probably going to be enough to do everything that was submitted by the Village and everyone else. The County was guessing only 120 structures could be done. There was 200 submitted. Wellsville was originally limited to six for their share.

Zoning Administrator Rick Williams reported $300 was taken in for six contractor licenses issued for February. Williams remarked things are beginning to pick up "a little bit" in spite of all the snow.

Animal Control Officer Leslie Dean submitted her monthly report and distributed copies of an informational brochure she put together. Stating the brochure is something she felt was needed it answers frequently asked questions about Village Ordinances and State Law in regards to animal control. It's loaded with contact information for Village Animal Control and for different organizations that also deal with animals. The brochures will be available at Village Hall. Also. there is a printable version available on the Haugh Designs web site www.wellsvilleohio.net.

Dean also reported she has applied for a $5,000 Capitol Improvements grant through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If Wellsville is awarded the grant it is earmarked to be used for a water/drainage hook-up for the dog pound. Dean stated it is important for disease control and the health & welfare of animals lodged there.

There were 18 calls for the ACO in February. Six were for dogs running at large, three for lost dog reports, two for Pitbull issues and two for cat issues.

For the Mayor's Report, Joe Surace got Council's approval to apppoint Rick Williams to the vacancy on the Board of Trustees for the Buckeye Water District. The vacancy was created with the death of Jack Whitaker. Surace stated William's "background with the Village the last two years has been really great plus his background with construction is really going to help out with underground piping". Williams has been the Zoning Administrator the past two years.

After the meeting Surace said Williams will serve in both positions saying he has been advised by Village Legal counsel that there would not be a conflict of interest. We still have to question that logic. Unless they are exempt BWD has to comply with Village Zoning ordinances. BWD Legal Counsel was unavailable this morning when we tried to contact him for an opinion. Surace did admit there may be an ethical question on the matter.

For the abbreviated Committee Reports, Streets Lights & Parking Committee Chairman John McMahon got unanimous approval for the Fiscal Officer to pay two contractors a total of $31,840 for their recent snow removal efforts. Removal of the excessive snow from the streets was declared an emergency. The Mayor remarked that both Pusateri Excavating & Minor Supply did a fantastic job. It was money well spent.

For Personnel Committee, Chairman Joe Soldano reported there will be another negotiating meeting this Friday. He said things are going smoothly with the contract and it is expected to have everything wrapped up soon. It is hoped to have a decision by next Council meeting.

Also, Council approved the appointment of Commerce St. resident Tim Long to the paid call list for the Fire Dept. After the meeting Chief Smith remarked that the appointment is a replacement for a long time vacancy and is not part of the extra five call out fire fighters he has requested. That requires an ordinance change that the Claims, Rules & Ordinance Committee is going to recommend that Council approve. Dale Davis advised they are holding that up to get the ordinance drawn up or revised.

Council also voted to deny a damage claim filed by Appian Way resident Edna Householder for repairs to her car. Householder claimed damage was done to the steering system after backing into a pot hole near her house.

Under New Business at the suggestion of Councilman Joe Soldano it was decided to contact the power company to install lighting on the Medal-of-Honor recipient Melvin Newlin sign instead of waiting to see if the old wiring and connections can be repaired. Soldano remarked that it was the least we can do for Wellsville's only MOH winner that sacrificed his life in Viet Nam.

John McMahon inquired of Don Brown about the progress on getting the handicapped parking signs for in front of Wellsville's VFW Post. Brown advised the signs have been ordered and they are ready to install them when the come. Council approved designating extra spaces at that location and the VFW volunteered to undertake all expense and labor.

Fire Chief Smith invited all Council Members to a training session being held on the flood control system yesterday evening.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:25 P.M. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, at 6 P.M. at Village Hall.

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