MAHONING COUNTY Court will add money to village, mayor says

A committee will study fire department consolidation.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LOWELLVILLE -- The village will see major revenue growth when mayor's court resumes here after a 32-year absence.
Mayor James Iudiciani Sr. said the village derives $4,500 to $5,000 in annual revenue from Struthers Municipal Court but would likely derive about $25,000 a year from having its own mayor's court if police write the same number of tickets.
Iudiciani said the ordinance authorizing the court is already in place, and he has already undergone the training necessary for him to preside over mayor's court, in which he would hear traffic and misdemeanor cases. The court could also hear cases concerning zoning matters and collection of village income tax and sewer fees.
Village Solicitor James E. Lanzo will serve as the court's prosecutor. The village is seeking a part-time $100-a-month clerk for mayor's court, which likely would be held two Monday evenings a month beginning next month, the mayor said.
The mayor also said the village is cracking down on property owners whose buildings are not up to code, using both the Mahoning County Building Inspection department and its own building inspector and zoning laws. Lanzo said the threat of criminal prosecution in Struthers Municipal Court is an effective tool to bring about compliance.
Other business
In other action at its meeting Wednesday, council:
UAuthorized Mahoning County Auditor George Tablack to assess 35 properties with outstanding balances on their sewer bills, which collectively total more than $5,800.
UReferred to its safety committee a suggestion by Councilman James Alfano that the village consider consolidating its fire department with the Western Reserve Fire District, which serves Poland village and township, as a possible cost-saving measure.
UIncreased the distance volunteer firefighters may live from the village from five to 10 miles to permit more firefighters to join the department.
UAsked the solicitor to draw up an ordinance requiring employees to take comp time instead of overtime.
URaised the annual pay of Clerk-Treasurer Carol Flora from $10,800 to $12,015.
UAuthorized her to open a separate interest-bearing checking account at a local bank to deposit and spend money contributed toward community functions, such as the Music in the Park summer concert series that village officials plan to revive this year.