WEATHERSFIELD Trustees pull out of demolition project

The township has not accepted ownership of the property.
By MARY SMITH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MINERAL RIDGE -- Weathersfield Township trustees Tuesday rescinded a motion to spend a maximum of $20,000 to help pay the cost of demolishing buildings at the old Globe Battery site.
The spending for the 3764 Union St. site was scrapped after the Trumbull County Planning Commission informed trustees that a $30,000 grant set aside for the project had been withdrawn.
Trustee chairman Fred Bobovnyk said trustees were informed Sept. 14, the day the project was to be bid, that the county funds, which were left over from other county projects, had been withdrawn.
Trustees had agreed to the commission' s request to allocate up to $20,000 for demolition of industrial buildings on the site.
The commission told trustees that funding for the project, possibly full funding, might be available next year, and the commission plans to apply for the dollars in 2003.
Bobovnyk noted the trustees had received a letter from the Weathersfield Township Responsible Citizens Association dated Oct. 2 expressing an objection to using township funds for the demolition of the commercial-industrial property.
President Pam Mayfield said in her letter to trustees that the membership wanted the motion to allocate the funds withdrawn.
Her letter said the WRTCA is "opposed to this point or any action that would authorize spending of township tax dollars on such demolition plans or projects."
Background
Bobovnyk said that the trustees have been in talks with the Gorgie family, owner of the Union street property, who wanted from the start to donate the land to the township. Or, the township would put a lien on the property.
But he and township Administrator Dave Pugh said that the township has not accepted ownership of the property. Pugh added he does not want the township to take ownership until the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency tests the land and gives it a clean bill of health.
Questioned by resident and WRTCA member John Vogel, Pugh said the township has no liability for the property.
Trustee James Stoddard noted the land had been tested by a Cleveland firm and some asbestos was found in the building.
Bobovnyk added that right now, the property is the owner's responsibility.