VILLAGE COUNCIL Library options discussed

Money for decorative lights may be diverted for the library project.
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- An ad hoc committee of village council will meet at 7 tonight at the Village Administration Building to discuss fund-raising options for the library's new building.
Councilman Jack Novicky told council Monday that Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County officials have cut some $50,000 in funds earmarked for moving and upgrading the New Middletown library to a building on state Route 170 in the former Heaven Sent store.
The library is now located in a room at the village administration building.
To avoid severely scaling back the remodeling project, Novicky said the committee is trying to come up with ideas to raise money locally.
Novicky said that fund raising does not have to be complete before the anticipated move in about six months. He said the library association could go ahead if it has a commitment of funds from the community.
Councilwoman Ruth Miller, also on the committee, said council is considering taking several thousand dollars intended for decorative lights around the administration building parking lot and donating it to the library project.
Other committee members include Mayor Robert Carson, community officials and residents.
Novicky said the village is lucky to be chosen for the library upgrade and said he hopes the meeting will generate ideas and public support.
Seat belt boost
Police Chief Bill Morvay announced the village has been awarded a $2,895 laser radar unit by the state because the police department participated in the "What's Holding You Back?" program to encourage seat belt use.
Mahoning County, which sponsored the "Safe Communities" program, also recognized Springfield High School as the most improved in the state for increasing seat belt use from 44.5 to 87.4 percent over four years as a result of a program carried out by school resource officer Sgt. Ken Goist.
Council agreed to buy a computer system for the fire department for $2,200 from Executive Computer Management Solutions, Struthers. The system is compatible with police and village computers.
Council also suspended the three-reading rule to pass the annual appropriation for the village. It includes a general fund of $293,800 in a total budget of $963,522. Clerk-Treasurer Carl Flitcraft Jr. said the figures are almost identical to last year's.
Morvay announced residents should call him at the administration building, (330) 542-2846, to report potholes so they can be fixed.
Storm water funding
Carson said anyone interested in a part-time summer job with the street department should send a letter of intent to village offices.
He also said that the Ohio Department of Transportation will meet with village and Springfield Township officials to discuss installation of sensors on Calla Road at the new traffic signal at state Route 170. The sensors will cause the traffic light to turn red on state Route 170 if there is a car on Calla Road.
And at a special meeting earlier this month, council agreed to apply for state Issue 2 funds for Phase II of the Stacy Drive storm water project. The first phase, which will take care of the lower end of the street, is being funded through a loan and is expected to be bid next month. Carson said that if the Issue 2 funds are awarded, they will be used to complete the drainage work on the upper end of the street.
New Middletown will compete with other Ohio municipalities for the money, which will be awarded in June or July.