SURVEY Residents see need for improvement

Some of the data will be used to formulate a downtown revitalization plan.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Preliminary results of a survey of city residents shows they are generally satisfied with Hubbard's operation, but they say improvements are needed in several areas.
The survey was conducted by the Trumbull County Planning Commission to determine what direction residents want the city to take.
Jamie Tersino, commission staffer in charge of the survey, said Thursday that 877 people responded to 41 questions. Eight questions that required a written response haven't been analyzed.
City Auditor Michael Villano, and Councilwoman Bonnie Viele, D-1st, have been working with the planning commission on the survey.
A portion of the information, Villano said, will be used in putting together a comprehensive city plan. The rest of the data will be used with an eye toward downtown revitalization.
Merger
Although 64 percent said they like the way the city is being run, 55 percent believe the city and Hubbard Township should be combined.
Villano pointed out that those who favor merger wrote that it should be done only if it can save money.
He also noted that 14 percent didn't respond to the merger question because they didn't have enough information to answer it.
Twenty-four percent of township residents surveyed in 2002 said the city and township should not be merged.
Fire, police service
The majority of city residents are satisfied with the service provided by the Hubbard Volunteer Fire Department. Its district includes the city and township.
Of those surveyed, 94 percent responded they are satisfied with fire service and 88 percent are satisfied with the police service.
Sixty-percent would like to see the city and township police forces merged. This issue has been discussed several times over the years, but the topic always has faded.
In a township survey conducted more than two years ago, 97 percent responded that they were satisfied with fire service and 91 percent were happy with police service. Eight-six percent disliked the idea of merging with another police department.
Downtown
It appears from the survey that city residents travel nine miles to clothing stores and specialty shops, and the vast majority would patronize them if they were located downtown.
Villano said that based on the comments, residents want a department store such as Target or Wal-Mart.
There isn't enough parking downtown as 55 percent responded they weren't satisfied with the current situation.
"We do have to do something with parking," Villano asserted, noting there is a need for more off-street parking.
Many people parking downtown want to park directly in front of a store, get out of their vehicles and walk in.
Only 4 percent want more multifamily dwellings in the city, and 14 percent favor more industrial growth.
yovich@vindy.com