LOWELLVILLE Reviving mayor's court is meeting topic

Outstanding sewer fees for residential properties are about $6,000.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LOWELLVILLE -- Re-establishing a mayor's court and village hall renovations were among several items village council addressed during a special meeting.
A mayor's court could generate between $25,000 and $30,000 in new revenue for the village, estimated Mayor James Iudiciani Sr., and that's over and above the $4,500 to $5,000 Struthers Municipal Court reimburses the village for the Lowellville cases it hears.
Mayor's court, Iudiciani said, would primarily handle traffic cases -- uncontested moving violations and first-time drug- and alcohol-related traffic violations.
The court could also address cases concerning zoning issues and collection of village income taxes and sewer fees once council approves ordinances regarding those issues, the mayor said.
Was trained
Iudiciani completed training in February to operate the court, which would require the village to hire a part-time prosecutor and part-time clerk of courts.
If council approves re-establishment of a mayor's court -- members authorized the village solicitor to prepare legislation to re-establish the court -- cases would be heard two days a month, "probably every other Monday," Iudiciani said.
Outstanding sewer fees for residential properties throughout the village are about $6,000, commercial users owe about $1,000. "With a mayor's court, we are going to clamp down on these people," Iudiciani continued. Disconnecting water service to buildings with outstanding sewer bills could be one option, he noted.
Village hall renovations
At its meeting Wednesday, council also discussed renovations to the village hall. The project will include roof replacement and upgrades to the second-floor auditorium and ground-level offices. Construction could begin as soon as April 1, the mayor said, and the entire project, estimated to cost $88,000, should be completed by the end of June.
Other construction projects planned for this year include a $140,000 storm water management project and two sidewalk construction projects.
The storm water management project will provide for construction of new curbs, catch basins and driveway approaches from the intersection of Youngstown-Lowellville Road and Walnut Street to Watson Street. The village will pay $22,400, State Issue II funding will provide the rest. Bidding on the project is tentatively scheduled to open March 1.
The sidewalk construction projects will be along West Wood Street Extension near the football field and Walnut Street to Pine Hollow Park, and along Wood and Walnut streets from McGill Street to Youngstown-Lowellville Road, and along Watson, Quisner and Parsons streets.
A deadline
All of these projects must be completed before the Ohio Department of Transportation paves state Route 289 between the Struthers-Lowellville border and Pennsylvania.
During the meeting, council also appointed a new firefighter, Darren Kurdyla.
kubik@vindy.com