Tuesday - May 18: Village Council met in regular session Tuesday evening at Wellsville Village Hall. Present at the meeting was Mayor Joe Surace, Council Members John McMahon, Rosie Goss, Joe Soldano, Randy Allmon and Tony Cataldo. Also in attendance was Village Administrator Jim Saracco, Village Legal Advisor Andy Beech, Fiscal Officer Dale Davis, WFD Chief Bill Smith, WPD Chief Joe Scarabino & Lt. Ed Wilson. Councilwoman Sue Haugh was excused.
Following the Roll Call Council retired into a 19 minute Executive Session with WFD Chief Smith to discuss a "possible hiring or firing". No announcements were made when they returned.
For the Public Speaking portion a Mr. Carter from Center Street inquired about the status of upgrades for the Sewage Treatment Plant stating with the warmer weather the stench is unbearable. The Mayor advised that the fix is planned to begin pretty quick with construction to start this summer. Surace went on to explain the recent awarding of a $300,000 OMEGA grant toward the estimated $480,000 cost made it possible to proceed with the project. It was last reported that engineering on the project is completed and plans were being submitted for EPA approval. After getting construction bids construction was expected to begin early summer.
Ms. Leola Martin of Johnston Place advised Council she has been trying for five years to get repairs to the alley by her residence with nothing ever being done. As pictured above the alley is in a deplorable condition and with the recent rains deep puddles cover nearly a whole portion of the alley. These pictures were taken Wednesday nearly 24 hours with no rain. Village Administrator Saracco said they can't blacktop the alley with manhole covers in place. The Mayor suggested maybe using gravel to fill the holes. Saracco responded that he will put it on the list for the Street Dept.
Jack Cataldo of Riverside issued an open invitation to anyone wishing to partake, to a luncheon at American Legion Post 70 following the Memorial Day observance on May 31. Post 70 is located on Wells Ave. Also, breakfast is being served at the VFW Post 5647 in the 4th St. Sqaure from 7 - 8:45 A.M. before the annual observance. We've been told it is also open to the public free of charge. Wellsville's Memorial Day Ceremonies begin promptly at 9 A.M. at the Veteran's Memorial.
Cataldo also commended the folks that participated in the "This Is Our Town" litter clean-up day this past Saturday. Cataldo noted that most of the participants were younger members of the community stating that he hopes older members will continue the efforts and emulate the youngsters. The event was sponsored through an ODNR grant awarded to the Tree Board Committee. Saracco added that the clean up was spear headed by Tree Board President Dawn Johnson.
WFD Chief Smith announced he has been advised by County officials that three more dilapidated structures will be put up for bid to be demolished. Money was left over with the unanticipated low bids submitted in the first round of bidding. The project is funded with stimulus money through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Six Wellsville structures have already been approved for demolition. Demolition on those six will begin as soon as questions on an asbestos issue is resolved. Smith added there are 14 more structures on his list that have to go through the Court system.
Smith also reported that the department has been awarded a $132,000 Fire Fighters Assistance grant for equipment. The FEMA grant will be used to purchase new fall out gear and air packs. He then requested Council's approval to apply for a $40,000 grant for next year stating the 5% match would be manageable. The grant if approved will be awarded either late this year or early next. Council gave him unanimous approval to apply for the grant.
Village Administrator Jim Saracco announced the approval of the Youth Summer Employment program has been received and advised the particulars have already been published in the newspapers.
Animal Control Officer Leslie Dean announced that for April she received 30 calls and 12 animals were brought to the dog pound. A grant for $1,000 from the ASPCA has been awarded to install water lines & drainage to the pound. Dean also reminded that she needs to be notified by any residents or rescue groups about any stray animals taken in by them. This is for hopefully reuniting the animals with their owners. The best chances of that being accomplished is in the first 72 hours.
Speaking on behalf of the department, WPD Lt. Ed Wilson asked that Officer Tony Mancuso be appointed full time to replace Glenn LaClair. LaClair resigned from the force last month. The Mayor asked for Council's approval to appoint Mancuso to the position and received an unanimous vote in favor. Mancuso has been a part-time officer since 2005.
For the Mayor's Report Surace reiterated the thanks to all who participated in Saturday's litter clean-up.
For Committee Reports, Finance Committee Chairman Tony Cataldo had nothing to report.
Sewer Committee Chairman Randy Allmon also had nothing to report.
Streets, Lights & Parking Committee Chairman John McMahon did report that the lights in Broadway Park are being looked at. Allmon confirmed work on the Gazebo has started saying it will hopefully be completed in three to four weeks. McMahon stated it should be done in time for the All-Class Reunion.
Personnel Committee Chairman Joe Soldano advised that the Summer Youth Employment Program has been approved. Applications are now being accepted by the County. It is for youths 16 to 24 years of age. Applications are available at the Village Administrator's Office. The deadline to submit an application is May 24.
For Claims, Rules & Ordinance, Committee Chairwoman Rosie Goss got approval to order in legislation regarding mobile homes and to amend signage fees charged by the Zoning Office. Both changes are tweaking the existing ordinances. For trailers the age of mobile homes is being amended for replacements. The one for signage fees pertains to the dimensions of new signs. Cataldo requested that more information in writing be submitted to each Council member before another vote is taken.
For the Property Committee Soldano commended Zoning Administrator Rick Williams for taking the initiative on a couple of trailers "in the lower end" that had the siding removed leaving insulation blowing all over the place. He also commended the two Jennifers in the Mayor's Office for getting pictures to send to the land lord. After many phone calls, letters, threatened court action and the pictures the land lord had them both demolished. Soldano stated it is much improved down there.
Under Legislation a resolution was passed in support of Jack Cataldo's efforts to apply for an ARC OMEGA funding grant for a new by-pass road running from 18th St. to the Intermodal Park area for trucks.
Under New Business there was a lengthy discussion about the handicapped signs removed at the VFW. At a January Council Meeting it was approved to make two additional handicapped parking spaces for disabled veterans and former POWs. That was done by motion. The signs and new poles were purchased by the VFW and they installed them. The VFW Commander checked with Village officials to get an okay to remove them and was told they were VFW property. They could do as they pleased. Unless the motion is changed they still are designated handicapped spots, signs or no signs. Legal Advisor Beech advised since it was designated by motion of Council the police have no enforcement power to ticket or tow violators. The VFW voted to remove the signs. Former Councilman Don Brown stated it's a shame. Wellsville was the first place in the State of Ohio that had designated parking spaces for disabled veterans.
Village Administrator Saracco advised a new handicapped spot on the 4th St. side of the VFW near the ramp has been installed or will be shortly at their request.
Before we had to leave Council was preparing to go into three additional Executive Sessions. One was for compensation for the Animal Control Officer. The second was for litigation according to Legal Advisor Andy Beech and the third was for personnel for the Police Dept. That made a total of four Executive Sessions for one Council Meeting. According to the newspaper accounts no action was taken on any of them.
Starting in June Council will only have one scheduled meeting for the next three months. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1, 6 P.M. at Village Hall.
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