TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT Howland OKs increasing ambulance fee

By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- Ambulance charges have increased in the township, but that doesn't mean residents will be paying more for the service.
Trustees voted unanimously during Wednesday's regular meeting to increase the fee for basic life support emergency service by $100. The fee will now be $375.
The township accepts whatever the insurance pays for township residents, said Darlene St. George, township administrator. If a township resident does not have insurance, they are not charged.
The township fee is still one of the lowest in the county, said Trustee Rick Clark.
"Warren Township charges $450, Champion charges $500 and Bazetta charges $600, for the same service," Clark said. "We are not overcharging."
Property maintenance
In other matters, Mark Zuppo, township zoning inspector, gave trustees a copy of his draft of a proposed property maintenance code. The public will have a chance to review the final draft during the trustees next meeting on April 27.
"What this will do is make it easier for the township to get problem areas cleaned up," Zuppo said. He noted that several area townships, such as Boardman, have similar codes.
The property maintenance code will deal with several different zoning violations, including junk vehicles and high grass.
The trustees also accepted the resignation of Norma Graham, the public works secretary. Graham was a 40-year township employee.
"This is with regret that we accept this resignation," said Trustee Rick Clark. "Norma will be greatly missed."
sinkovich@vindy.com