Wellsville Council Meeting

Tuesday - November 17: Wellsville Village Council held it's regular meeting Tuesday evening at Village Hall. Present at the Meeting was Mayor Joe Surace, Councilmen Don Brown, John McMahon, Joe Soldano & Randy Allmon. Also present was Village Administrator Jim Saracco, Fiscal Officer Dale Davis, Village Solicitor Andy Beech, WFD Chief Bill Smith & WPD Chief Joe Scarabino.

First Christian Church Pastor Rev. Troy Warner offered the opening prayer. Members of the Wellsville Area Ministerial Assoc. have offered to be present to give invocation at each Council Meeting.

In the Public Speaking portion of the agenda Sharon Buswell of 10th St., representing the Alley Cat Aid Brigade, announced that the 3rd Annual Christmas for the Animals will be held December 19 at the gazebo on 4th St. Square. The event is scheduled to begin at 1 P.M. with a pet food give away and other presents.

Jeffrey Ori of Commerce St. addressed Council about the condition of the rental property he and his partner are living in and about the lot behind the building next door. Village Administrator Saracco advised Council that the lot was inspected by the CC Health Dept. and things stored on the lot is not classified as garbage.

Dave Butcher of 12th St. commented on the need of 12th St. between Main & Riverside needing to be fixed.

Nunzio Lombardozzi of Clover St. asked Council why they are considering to no longer recognize the union. He stated the union was formed some 40 years ago and can't believe things can't be worked out. He went on to say that in the past they were always able to work things out without a high priced lawyer and hoped Council will reconsider. Councilman Allmon said he will not negotiate a contract in the papers but there is a Personnel Committee meeting with the union representative scheduled for Friday morning. It will be in Executive Session. Councilman Don Brown stated he felt if the employees wanted a union they should have one. He said he was a long time member of the United Steelworkers and would never vote to get rid of the union.

For Administration Reports WFD Chief Smith presented Council with an application for a FEMA grant called the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant. Similar to the COPS grant it provides funding for extra firemen on a graduated pay out scale for five years. The first year the grant pays 90% of the actual costs, tbe second 80% on down where the Village would pay all costs for the fifth year for multiple firemen. The maximum pay out over the five year period is $108,380. A motion was passed to apply for the grant through the Village grant writer. Councilman Soldano advised he is checking out another two year grant for firemen with the grant writer. Nothing was said about replacing the current vacant position for the regular fireman.

Village Administrator Jim Saracco advised he has a request to install running water & sewage to the dog pound. He stated there is an old sewer line running past the pound but it is unknown whether it is a storm sewer or a sewage line. It would have to be jet rodded & probed with a scope to determine what it is. Councilman Brown stated that he believes that is a storm sewer they looked at years ago that runs to the river. Nothing was announced on what will be done.

For Committee Reports Chairman Joe Soldano for Streets, Lights & Parking made a motion that was passed to reinstall lighting on the Melvin Newlin Memorial in the north end of town. It used to lighted and was discussed it may only be a matter of reconnecting the wiring. The Village will pick up the cost similar to what was agreed upon for the flood wall murals and the Boy In the Boot.

For Water, Sewer & Refuse Chairman Allmon advised it has been confirmed that the Village is in line to receive a $133,869 grant from OMEGA pending completion of the necessary paperwork. The money is intended to be used as the Village's matching share to complete work on the Sewage Treatment plant's digestors.

For Personnel Allmon asked for approval to pay two invoices to J.F. Lencewicas & Assocs. for work done for the Village. The first was for $5,273.15 for preparation & background work getting ready for union negotiations. The second was for $1,666.30 for work done on grievances. Motions to pay both bills was unanimous. Fiscal Officer Dale Davis replied after the meeting that these should be the final invoices from the consulting firm.

For Property, Equipment & Cemetery Committee Chairman John McMahon reported that the Tree Board has been advised there is no money available to replace trees this year. The Property Committee met November 9. McMahon also announced he has gotten indications that Buckeye Water District is preparing to return the old reservoir back over to the Village. The water district took over the reservoir when they first started out but have since gotten the new Pumping Station and Water Treatment Plant with a new reservoir certified and into operation. McMahon stated the Village will not take possession until the old reservoir is in as good or better shape as it was when it was first turned over to BWD. Back in April '09 there was a meeting held to discuss the condition of the dam & spillways at that location. Representatives from ODNR expressed concerns about their condition back then.

McMahon went on to say that in recent times the Village has gotten over $4 million in grants to repair and improve the infrastructure. Most of it was used for work on things underground and not easily visible. Much work was done on pipe lines, pumps, etc. The Mayor remarked that it would be extremely nice to have that amount for improvements to sidewalks and streets. Soldano advised that he and the grant writers are looking into a "going green" type grant that will be shared with the county. He stated the Village has to step up the pace pursuing grants.

For the Mayor's Report Surace announced that it was in agreement with Council members that the Lencewicz consulting firm was brought in. At the time there were four or five grievances that help was needed to deal with. One of them was with the State of Ohio and expert advice was needed. McMahon added that while the Mayor was on vacation no one spoke up to this fact. He apologized for the oversight.

Surace also remarked on the Chamber project to decorate the village for Christmas using decorations stored in Village Hall. Help is needed in doing the decorating and anyone interested in lending a hand should contact Randy Allmon at 330-843-3475.

Under Legislation three motions were passed on first reading. One of them deals with the vaccinations of dogs and another for fees for dogs impounded. The third was on the zoning variance requested by the St. Francis Animal Welfare Center for a dog shelter on Walden Ave. The Zoning Board recommended that the variance be granted by Council.

Council retired into Executive Session for Personnel matters concerning contract negotiations. When they returned no farther action was taken and the meeting was adjourned.

Next Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday - December 1 at 6 P.M.

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