Charged in assault
Charged in assault
WARREN -- A 22-year-old city man has been arrested on a charge of felonious assault. David Devlin of Parkman Road is scheduled to appear in municipal court today to face the charge. Police say Devlin shot Joseph S. Sweitzer, 19, of Larchmont, in the thumb during a fight early today. Sweitzer was treated at St. Joseph Health Center.
Reports state that Devlin also was shot and treated at St. Joseph Health Center. The report does not state who shot Devlin.
No other charges have been filed. According to reports, Devlin and Sweitzer were arguing somewhere along Buena Vista Avenue N.E. around 1 a.m. today. The report doesn't say why the two were fighting.
Block-watch program
SOUTHINGTON -- Residents of Southington Park Estates want to establish a block-watch program.
Ernest Cook of the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department met with residents Monday in Southington's town hall to help them get started. He said they must first establish a committee and elect a chairman and cochairman, adding that the sheriff's office would be available to help.
In addition, Bob and Debbie Biery donated land on state Route 534, across from the post office, to the township. The terms of the gift are that the land be added to the adjoining land donated by the fire department some time ago and made into a township park.
Ridge zoning laws
MINERAL RIDGE -- At a public hearing at 6 p.m. March 14 at the Weathersfield Township administration building, the zoning commission will consider a new form to allow residents to propose a change in zoning law.
The new form must first be approved by the commission and then by township trustees before it becomes law.
Sherri Craver, township assistant zoning inspector, said the new three-page form gives anyone a format to write up a proposed zoning law change.
Canfield sewer work
CANFIELD -- City council intends to borrow $500,000 to plug leaks in a 5,000 foot stretch of sewer line along Sawmill Creek. Work is already under way on the 24-inch pipe, which carries effluent from most of the city northwest to the county-operated Meander Treatment Plant.
Council approved several measures Wednesday to get state Issue II funding for work on the next section of pipe, from Herbert to Garwood roads. A $500,000 zero-interest 20-year loan has already been approved by the local committee, which ranks Issue II projects, but formal approval from the state is still necessary, said Charles Tieche, the city manager. The project, which will likely involve sending a robot sprayer down through the 40-year-old pipe, could begin this year.
Berlin grass contract
BERLIN CENTER -- Berlin Township trustees awarded Naomi Karlen the contract for mowing township grass. Karlen, a township resident, will be responsible for maintaining cemetery and grass areas owned by the township as needed, township clerk Dolly Bennett said. Last year, the township paid Karlen about $3,000 for mowing services, Bennett said.
Trustees also asked Dick Marshall, part-time township road employee, to look at possible upgrades to a bus turnaround on Newton Falls Road within the township.
Fire Chief Kevin Windham announced the arrival of a new rescue truck as well as an underwater camera. Bennett said rescue team members get numerous calls to Berlin Lake during the summer, and the camera will enable them to see possible drowning victims without having to drag the lake. The camera cost $400.
Campbell safety
CAMPBELL -- The police department is stocking up on equipment to help outfit a six-man critical response team in development by Police Chief Gus Sarigianopoulos.
City council approved the purchase Wednesday night of about $7,000 in new equipment, including gas masks, face shields, and knee and elbow pads.
Sarigianopoulos said the squad is being devised to provide quick response to riots or school safety issues while awaiting possible aid from county crisis teams.