WEATHERSFIELD Township seeks aerial spraying

Concern about a virus has already affected communities planning an annual used tire pickup.
WEATHERSFIELD -- Township trustees are looking into getting neighboring Trumbull County communities to cooperatively conduct aerial spraying for mosquitoes.
The mosquitos could be carrying West Nile virus. Trustee George Bucella said at Tuesday's trustees' meeting that the board has been in contact with the Warren Health Department and a company that did some spraying in Niles. Prices are being sought for a cooperative effort.
Bucella said land areas that are usually wet would be targeted. Trustees will report at the August meeting on what they've been able to accomplish.
Bucella said so far the virus has been found as far west as Erie, Pa., but there have been no reports of the virus in Ohio. He said the virus can kill people taking chemotherapy, or with weak immune systems.
Problems: The concern about the virus has already affected the township and other communities planning an annual used tire pickup next month.
Township Administrator Dave Pugh said the planned tire pickup, the dates for which will be announced later, has run into problems because the Trumbull County Board of Health has already ordered that tires not be stored outside, or should be covered with a tarp.
Pugh said he plans to store the tires in the township's salt bay, which will temporarily leave some equipment outside, because he does not want to risk the tarp coming off the tires.
Bucella noted the county board of health is working to arrange for pickup of the tires in a month. Pugh said the tires sat at the township for six to eight weeks in previous years.
Other action: In other business, trustees:
UApproved participating in the Trumbull County Demand Response Service for one year, at a cost of $1 per person for an estimated 8,400 people. The service would provide public transportation for township residents.
UApproved purchase of a thermal imaging system for the fire department for $20,055 to come out of department funds. The camera helps firefighters find people inside buildings.
Fire Chief Randy Pugh also told trustees the department will buy a second heart defibrilator for $5,673. The township fire department will pay $3,103 toward the cost and a state grant of $2,570 will cover the remainder.