CRAIG BEACH Council passes 1st reading of resolution on housing

A contract between the village and its fire department expires in January.
By TELA DURBIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CRAIG BEACH -- The village has moved closer to approving new housing. Council passed the first reading of a resolution Monday supporting Neighborhood Revitalization Partners of Cleveland in its quest to build affordable single-family housing here.
Burton Homes owner Steve Burton of Milton Township said he and his business partner and wife, Amy, had been looking into providing affordable housing for the village for two years but were unable to find any traditional lenders to fund the project.
That is when he contacted Neighborhood Revitalization Partners and asked for their help. Burton said NRP is able to provide housing for half of the cost that Burton could because of tax incentives. "This is a great opportunity for this community," Burton said.
Al Scott from NRP told council that his company applies for housing credits from the state in March, and if they are approved they can sell the credits to investors and use the money to reduce costs and charge less for the homes.
Scott said if a community's government backs NRP in the application process, the application has a better chance of being approved.
Mixed reaction: Scott's presentation received a mixed response from council. Although council unanimously voted to have Solicitor James Vivo review the resolution, two members, Dennis Champion and Larry Ellis, voted against first reading of the resolution supporting the housing proposal.
Council discussed having another meeting with NRP in a larger forum where village residents could address any concerns they have with the project, but no date was set.
Fire department: In one month, the village could be without its fire department's services.
Kevin Fegler, new chief of the village fire department, presented council with the department's fire contract Monday.
Council must pass the fire contract before January or the village will be without fire services. Council members said they would hold a meeting before the end of the year to discuss the contract, but no date was set.
Fegler also spoke of the village's involvement in the Mahoning County mutual aid agreement in response to some council members' questions about lack of volunteer personnel during daylight hours.
He said the fire department has been working with the county on the agreement for about five years, and the talks are now in the final stages. Fegler said when the agreement passes, residents of Craig Beach can call 911 and if no one can be reached at the village fire station, the call will be forwarded to the nearest emergency services provider.
Resignation: Near the end of the meeting, Councilwoman Yvonne Adams resigned her position with two years left on her term.
"This place is not worth it," she said while passing out her formal resignation. Adams said she was frustrated with the current state of affairs in Craig Beach and was unhappy with the new council members who will take office in January.