WASHINGTONVILLE Council seeks new levy for police department

Residents in Mahoning County have been paying taxes twice for fire protection.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
WASHINGTONVILLE -- Village council approved placing a 3-mill continuing levy on the November ballot for the police department.
Mayor Michael Donnalley said the levy would generate $19,280 a year.
"We need this passed to stay at the level of police protection we have now," said Donnalley. "This is one of the best police departments we ever had here. There are guys willing to volunteer their time because we have a limited budget. If voters don't pass this levy, I doubt they'll continue to do that."
Chief J.R. Blakeman said his officers donated 170 hours to the department in May.
Budget
Council also passed the 2004 budget Tuesday. The total budget is $500,667.
The council also voted to rescind a contract with Green Township for fire protection, effective immediately.
Donnalley said village residents who live in Green Township have been paying taxes to both Washingtonville and Green Township for fire protection.
The village paid $8,500 annually to Green Township for fire protection. Both Green Township and Leetonia fire departments provide fire protection to Washingtonville.
Donnalley said the village will continue to collect revenue from its fire levy that generates about $20,000 annually to cover fire protection from both departments. He said the village will use the levy revenue to buy equipment for either department as needed.
Blakeman told council that a recent count showed traffic on Main Street (state Route 14 through the village) has increased significantly since Wal-Mart opened in Salem.
Traffic in a 24-hour-period recently was 11,222 vehicles on Route 14, compared with about 9,000 during a study in 2000. In the same 24-hour period there were 1,281 cars on Washingtonville Road, compared with about 950 in 2000, he said.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is working on a funding package to install a traffic light at Washingtonville Road and Main Street. Donnalley said the timing for installation depends on the priority of projects that need to be funded, and the funding available.