YOUNGSTOWN

YOUNGSTOWN
Approved two variances for Warriors Inc., the nonprofit agency associated with the Eagle Heights Academy charter school:
* Waive the 50-foot front setback and 20-foot side setback requirements for the agency, which has bought the former Nelson Bedding building in the Uptown business district. Warriors is renovating the building to house its offices, a preschool and a planned incubator for small Christian-owned businesses.
* Entrances and exits are behind the building, so children and adults being close to the street aren't an issue. A fenced play area is behind the building, too. Parking is off Hylda Avenue. Doors facing Market Street are for emergencies only.
* The day care was built without initial zoning approval because of a mistake at city hall. The city buildings department gave the agency a permit before checking if there were any zoning requirements.
YOUNGSTOWN
Recommended city council approve one item and recommended another be rejected:
* Recommended approving the conversion of Walnut, Emerald and Kirtland streets in Smoky Hollow from public streets to private property. Youngstown State University's 410-student housing complex will encompass parts of those streets.
* Recommended council reject a request by Councilman Michael Rapovy, D-5th, to convert Flo-Lor Drive from a public street into a private street.
* The new Dairy Queen on the corner sought the move as a way to create a driveway on Flo-Lor.
* Brandywine Apartments, Farmers National Bank and Zion Lutheran church objected, for a variety of reasons, including difficulty maintaining the roadway should it become private.
YOUNGSTOWN
The finance committee talked about:
* The sidewalk replacement program and how the administration prioritizes which wards get new sidewalks. Talked about revamping whatever system is used and doing the work earlier in the construction season so work isn't curtailed by weather.
* The future of Mount Hope Veterans Park: Council members said the city can't keep contributing money to keep the property mowed.
BEAVER
The following items were brought before township trustees Tuesday:
* Police Chief Carl Frost reported that two modems used with computers in the patrol cars have been purchased through a grant, and the Beaver Township Patrolmen's Association bought a third modem for $995.
* Following residents' complaints, Mahoning County will landscape around the fence that was installed around the new sanitary sewer pump station on South Avenue between Market Street and South Range Road.
* Residents can reach the township's voicemail system by dialing (330) 549-9104. Callers can contact township employees or access to a voicemail box that lists upcoming events and meetings.
* Frost said he is accepting applications for part-time dispatchers and reserve police officers.
* The township fire department's Web site address is btfdonline.com. Fire Chief Gary Borman said the site has had 800 hits so far.
* Rocky Carr, president of the Beaver Township Firemen's Association asked the trustees to buy the fire department a new Jaws of Life, used primarily to extract victims from vehicles. The one the department is now using is 22 years old and is not working properly. A new one would cost $33,000. Borman said the department would also seek donations from the community to help pay for the device.
* Residents living on roads that were recently tarred and chipped are still complaining, and trustees are still saying they did the best they could within a limited budget. Trustee Chairman Larry Wehr asked the residents to give the roads until next spring to settle. One resident complained that loose pieces of stone have damaged his truck and suggested the township post signs warning motorists about the stones.
WARREN
Secretaries' contract: The board did not vote on the tentative pact with the 74-member Warren Secretaries Association.
* Superintendent Betty J. English said the contract was not on Tuesday's agenda because the board had not yet read the proposal in its entirety. Because of that, English also said it would be inappropriate for her or the board to comment on the proposed contract's provisions.
* The union has said it already approved the proposed three-year deal, which includes a 4 percent raise the first year, 3 percent the second year and 2 percent the third year.
* Secretaries picketed outside board offices in recent weeks, because the board proposed lower raises because of rising health-care costs. The board, which is negotiating with three other unions, said a date has not been chosen to vote on the secretaries' pact.
* On patriotism: Board president Nick Frankos Sr. questioned "Why does it take a tragedy to unite people in this country?"
* He went on to commend the staff at Harding High School for the way it handled bomb threats Friday that forced the building to evacuate and eventually close.
* Will meet: The board has called a special meeting for 1 p.m. Sept. 26 in board offices to vote on a 12-month temporary appropriation measure.
* Accepted: Gifts from the community, including $100 from B & amp;B Contractors and Developers for supplies at Emerson Elementary School; two watches valued at $200 from Klivans Jewelers for Student of the Week awards at Harding during summer; $25 from Trumbull Lodge No. 186 Loyal Order of Moose for the Drug Abuse and Resistance Education program; $6,000 from Warren Booster Club for Reserve Middle School and Harding; and a sign worth $4,000, placed at the rear of the Mollenkopf Stadium field house, from AVI FoodSystems, Buena Vista Cafe and DiLucia's Banquet Room.