Wellsville Village Council

Tuesday – December 7: The Wellsville Village Council held their regular meeting this past Tuesday evening. Present at the meeting was Mayor Joe Surace, Council Members Susan Haugh, John McMahon, Joe Soldano, Rosie Goss, Randy Allmon and Asst. Fiscal Clerk Cassie Bloor. Also attending was Village Administrator Jim Saracco, Legal Adviser Andy Beech and WFD Chief Bill Smith. Councilman Tony Cataldo was excused for being absent.

Before the roll call Surace recognized Leetonia Police Chief John Soldano and County Sherriff Department Detective Jeff Haugh in the audience.

In the Public Speaking portion of the agenda, Main Street resident Blaine Fields addressed Council about two different Zoning ordinances being considered for changes, junk yards and the coal dust problem. The first of the Zoning items was the changes proposed in requiring that Village residents to clean up and maintain their properties. The second item was about requiring background checks on new tenants by Village landlords.

Councilwoman Goss assured Mr. Fields that the clean-up ordinances was still being worked on with the Legal Adviser, stating her committee didn't realize what all was involved getting the chances made. Allmon stated that Council can not force landlords to do background checks on new tenants, When asked, Detective Haugh stated that the Sheriff's Office will do free criminal background checks when submitted in writing and including a self addressed, stamped envelope.

Fields then noted that one of his neighbors is operating a junk yard cutting up old cars and still has a frame from an old trailer stored. Councilwoman Haugh commented that with existing ordinances that is not permitted. Surace asked that the Village Administrator contact that resident advising him that he is in violation.

Fields then asked why the Village owned street sweeper hasn't been repaired, stating it would help with the continuing coal dust problem. Jim Saracco advised parts for the sweeper are in and it will be worked on as soon as he can free up the Street Department employee that does mechanical work.

Riverside resident Jack Cataldo, representing the Zoning Committee, hand delivered a formal letter stating the Committee is recommending that a zoning change be granted to Wellsville business LSW. The recommendation is to change zoning on the old MacDonald School from residential to light industrial. If approved the proposed Ohio River Bread Company will proceed with plans to start a new venture in MacDonald, leasing space from LSW. See our post below on the earlier Zoning Committee meeting.

Rosie Goss expressed her thanks to her fellow Council members and everyone that sent cards, flowers and visited her family for the recent passing of her mother.

For Administration Reports, WFD Fire Chief Smith reported that Wellsville's share of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program is now complete. The last three dilapidated structures on the approved list have all been taken down. He added that there is only a few odds & ends left that have to be addressed. Surace noted that he was told by County officials that if there is any funds left for the program Wellsville has first dibs. Smith replied he has one more structure on his list that didn't get funding. He has not heard anything from Lisbon yet. There was a total of nine structures in the Village that was removed with funding from that Federal stimulus program.

John McMahon stirred up a little controversy with his remarks about decorations in Broadway Park in the Streets, Lights & Parking report. Stating he has received some calls asking why Christmas decorations are no longer put up in the park, McMahon noted the Village has decorations stored. Saracco replied that two of his three member Street crew was on vacation and they haven't been able to get the decorations up. The Mayor noted they pulled everyone to get the cemetery ready for Memorial Day and directed the Administrator to do the same with decorating the park. Goss added if decorations are available she thinks it should be done.

McMahon also reported that the Street Department is on top of taking care of the snowy and icy streets. He said they have been out in full force with the recent weather. Surace added it may be necessary to restrict spreading salt only on intersections and hills with the state of current finances. Saracco told us earlier in the week he was able to purchase an additional 50 tons of salt to add to the existing supply. He noted the Village should be in good shape provided we get a “normal” winter.

Allmon noted that Wellsville Terminals are proving not to be very good neighbors in regards to repairing the sink hole at 17th & Main. The Muse brothers have not been available to take or to even return telephone calls. Soldano noted they asked for a meeting and now they don't return calls. Surace said he keeps trying to get in touch with them and will try again. Marathon Oil volunteered early on to help with funding repairs, It was hoped the costs could be split three ways with the two companies and the Village. Village officials got an estimate on the costs, with GG&J drawing up specifications. At an earlier Council meeting some time ago it was decided to arrange a meeting with everyone before they get formal bids on the repairs. That sink hole has been an ongoing problem for years. It is felt that the truck traffic to and from the two businesses is the main cause for whatever it is that keeps coming back. A few years ago it was thought that pouring of concrete would take care of it sinking. With the heavy rains we had a few weeks ago it looked like a small pond. Susan Haugh volunteered to step in as liaison for the Committee stating she has a “good relationship with the Muse brothers”.

For the Personnel Committee, Joe Soldano expressed thanks on behalf of the Village to Wellsville's American Legion Post 70 for their generous donation to buy tools. Soldano said this is the third or fourth year they have given around a $1,000 for tools.

Soldano also asked for a motion to order in legislation to equalize the paid holidays for all full-time employees that are covered under the new ordinance. Once approved all those employees will get the same 11 paid holidays per year including full-time police, firemen and the Chiefs. That was missed when they passed legislation to not recognized the four member union earlier this year. McMahon made the motion and it was favorably voted to order in the changes.

For Property, Equipment & Cemetery, Chairwoman Haugh said she received a call from a 12th & Commerce Street resident about windows missing from a structure in that neighborhood. Prefacing her remarks by saying she did not believe her Committee was responsible for broken or missing windows for code enforcement,noting there are ordinances to cover that. She said since she was called she went ahead and investigated the complaint and it was a valid complaint. She will turn her information over to the Village Administrator for follow up.

For the Mayor's Report, Surace thanked the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce for their efforts in organizing and getting the Christmas tree up in the 4th Street Square.

There was no new legislation or new business. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 PM. Next meeting is schedule for Tuesday, December 21 at 6 PM at Village Hall.


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