Wellsville Village Council

Wednesday - April 21: Wellsville Village Council met in regular session last Wednesday evening at Village Hall. Present at the meeting was Mayor Joe Surace, Council Members Susan Haugh, John McMahon, Joe Soldano, Randy Allmon, Tony Cataldo and Fiscal Officer Dale Davis. Also in attendance was Village Administrator Jim Saracco and WFD Chief Bill Smith.

Item Number 6 on the agenda is Public Speaking and Nina Graves of Commerce Street asked if there is anyone that can do back ground checks on potential renters. Surace remarked they would have to get together with the Police Dept. to see what can be done. Graves remarked she would be willing to pay a fee to have this done.

One of the items the Claims, Rules & Ordinance Committee proposed and are working on with the Village Legal Advisor is amending the ordinance to include that back ground checks must be done by landlords on new renters before signing a lease. We understand this is a service the County Sheriff's Dept. will do for the price of a self addressed envelope. All a landlord has to do is mail in a request to the Records Check Dept. and it will be performed. Just remember the SO is short of manpower and it may take a little time to get a response.

Connie Carmichael of 10th St., and one of the angels of the Alley Cat Aid Brigade advised that their home for the ACAB on Commerce St. is no longer. The heavy snow this past winter "wreaked havoc on the roof" and it is no longer suitable to store pet food. That building is part of the old Sterling China and Carmichael said the owner has been advised. In the meantime the ACAB is in the process of looking for another spot. If anyone knows of a rent free location available contact Carmichael at 330-532-9064.

Jack Cataldo of Riverside inquired about getting a copy of a resolution to apply for a grant for the proposed "secondary road to the industrial park". Cataldo stated a resolution was passed by Council and he needs a copy to go ahead with the grant application. The Council Clerk advised that the legislation was ordered in but no resolution has been passed. He stated he believes one of the problems is that Cataldo never followed up furnishing the Solictor with information needed in the resolution. Cataldo responded that he was under the impression that the Solicitor has done many resolutions and he was not aware follow up was required stating it's "a simple resolution". Council Clerk advised that specific information is needed on what the grant is for and any other additional information required by OMEGA.

The "Mayor of Broadway", Ken McAdoo, then addressed Council on a tree that was planted over his sewer line by Wellsville's Tree Board. Without any prior notification that it was going to be done, McAdoo stated he came home one day to find it and subsequently pulled it out. McAdoo explained when he moved into his home of 45 years ago there was a tree in nearly the same spot that frequently caused the sewer line to get blocked up. Every two weeks or so he had to rent a "roto rooter" to clear the line of tree roots for five years. This continued until he was finally able to have the tree removed.

McAdoo related he was then vehemently accosted by Tree Board Chair Dawn Johnston advising him in no uncertain terms that he had no say in them planting what, until recently, everyone considered to be part of their property. Actually the strip of grass between sidewalks and curbs is considered a Village right-of-way for utility purposes but the resident is responsible to maintain. If it is necessary for the Village to dig up that sewer line the resident doesn't have the right to stop them. Johnston had the tree replanted prompting McAdoo to ask Council to consider having the ordinance amended allowing the Tree Board to arbitrarily plant trees.

The trees were purchased by the church located there to dress up their section of 5th St. There was enough trees to do both sides of the street. This prompted Nina Graves to ask who is responsible in maintaining the trees parallel to her lot. Sue Haugh stated in the Tree Board by-laws it states an annual plan must be filed as to the Board's intentions to remove, plant or maintain trees. No one was aware of any such plan being filed. As read it is the Tree Board's responsibility to advise Village Officials of any planned projects every year and that includes planting.

Several members of Council and the Mayor commented that it is only common courtesy to advise a land owner before any such projects begin and it was felt this applies to the Tree Board. That extra tree could have been used to have another Earth Day observance by Village youngsters in Hammonds Park. It was done last year and two bus loads of Garfield students got a meaningful understanding of one of the wonders of nature. Surace summed it up stating he will have the Tree Board in for a meeting to discuss such situations and get an understanding before they upset more Village citizens.

Village Administrator Saracco reported that LSW is currently investigating a list of sewer line problems that was furnished by United Water. Bids were received from three companies capable of doing this. A tethered camera is lowered into a sewer line and problems can be seen on a computer monitor. After the meeting Saracco advised LSW from Chester, WV, was the only bid that did not include daily mileage. The third place bid was almost double the hourly rate quoted by the other two.

Saracco then asked that folks in the ville have patience with them. He only has three Street Dept. employees. One is filling pot holes, one is cutting grass and one is the mechanic trying to keep the Village's aging fleet of vehicles operating. Saracco also advised it is doubtful Wellsville will be getting any summer help as furnished by the County last year. That agency currently has no funding to pay the workers such as they supplied last year. Saracco said last year they cut grass, swept streets and painted curbs. During summer months last year there were nine extra workers paid through a training program. Surace remarked they will check with the Village Magistrate for possibly using people to work off back fines. Sue Haugh suggested that the School District be checked for students that are required to perform some public service.

For the Mayor's Report Surace remarked he hopes people will get together to pitch in cleaning up the Village in time for the All-Class Reunion. Saracco added that a date in mid-May is being looked at for having dumpsters available for a Village Clean-up. He is currently negotiating a deal and will hopefully have more information available shortly. Surace said people getting together helping their neighbors keep things cleaned up should happen all year round. Saracco reminded everyone if residents sweep up dirt & debri and advise him they will pick it up.

Finance Committee Chairman Tony Cataldo announced there will be a committee meeting Tuesday, April 27, at 2 P.M. at Village Hall "to discuss levies". No other information was given on Village finances.

For Water, Sewage & Refuse, Allmon offered his thanks for the cooperation offered by Sewage Treatment Plant operators in getting the digesters emptied. At a meeting April 19, United Water expressed they should be able to get the digesters emptied in time for construction to begin this summer at no extra cost to the Village. It was previously thought it would cost an extra $52,000 to have that done according to GG&J engineer Bill Boyle. United Water said they believe it can be done by using Mother Nature & the drying beds to the maximum.

For Personnel, Joe Soldano reported he has been asked to hold off discussing the AFSCME union contract with Village employees until full Council can be present. He also got a motion passed without it being seconded that meetings for June, July & August be cut back to only one a month on the first Tuesday of those months. They will go back to two a month in September.

Under New Business, Allmon announced he will be attending a Columbiana County Economic Summit in Salem. It is being held by the County Commissioners. Surace said he will definitely be going to that too.

Allmon also complimented Acting Chief, Lt. Ed Wilson and the the WPD for the outstanding job they did providing security for the Chamber's Special Luncheon with Congressman Charlie Wilson. Sue Haugh offered kudos to the WPD for the stepped up efforts patrolling the 18th Street playground.

Joe Soldano asked about the loan applied for to pay nearly $300,000 for the new roof that was put on Village Hall some time ago. Soldano stated three years ago he was opposed to replacing the whole roof but got out voted by full Council. He was of the opinion that problem spots on the roof could be patched. Never the less various funds were used to pay the contractor and "it's a kill on the General Fund". A loan was applied for nearly a year ago to repay the borrowed money to the various funds.

Fiscal Officer Dale Davis replied that he has heard nothing from the Wellsville bank that has the original application. He recently applied to Huntington Bank for that loan.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 P.M. Next meeting is scheduled for May 4 at 6 P.M. at Village Hall.

Hope you're feeling better Rosie. Get well soon. Pictured above is the "twig" causing all the unrest by the Tree Board.

ole nib