Hot tub usage on hold

Health department inspectors visited the Country Home on Monday.
& lt;a href=mailto:siff@vindy.com & gt;By STEPHEN SIFF & lt;/a & gt; andPEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HARTFORD -- Participants in adult-only parties at the Country Home will forgo the hot tub, at least until the licensing process for it is complete, according to Trumbull County Health Department officials.
Health officials had asked Kay Hovis, who used the Internet to advertise the private parties, to apply for the hot tub license. The department received an application and $300 fee from Hovis on Wednesday, one week after serving notice that the hot tub inspection is required.
Health department inspectors visited the establishment on state Route 7 on Monday. "They voluntarily said they will not use the hot tub until they obtain a license," said Frank Migliozzi, environmental health director.
To get the license, Hovis must submit copies of the plan for the hot tub for review in Columbus and submit to annual water tests. It is not known how long it will take for the health department to determine if a license should be approved.
Food license
The health department had also questioned whether the establishment, which has been operating since 1979, needed a food service license.
Migliozzi determined that Hovis does not need to apply for a food service license, because at the weekend parties only prepackaged food is served.
"They were very cooperative," said Health Commissioner Dr. James Enyeart.
County officials are also investigating if Hovis owes back taxes for fixtures and equipment used for the business. The Web site advertised the hot tub, a kitchen, several rooms with beds, a dance floor and community room with two beds and a leather swing.
Hovis did not answer a telephone call Monday.
Last week, she said her parties were gatherings of friends that involved more than sex. She said people come to play the organ and sing country-western songs.
The Web site advertised party admission prices from $20 for a couple to $75 for a single man.
& lt;a href=mailto:siff@vindy.com & gt;siff@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt; & lt;a href=mailto:sinkovich@vindy.com & gt;sinkovich@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;