TRUSTEES Meeting heats up over topic of money

The fiscal officer is expected to report on township finances next month.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- A discussion about township finances by trustees prompted:
U a smattering of applause and a few heckles on both sides of the issue;
U a call for trustees to share power equally;
U one resident to be escorted from the meeting by police.
Trustee Kathy Miller had three recommendations on Monday's regular meeting agenda dealing with a comprehensive plan for the township at a cost of $60,000, adoption of a fiscal policy directing inheritance funds toward capital projects, and a performance audit by the state auditor's office.
Trustee Elaine Mancini said she wanted to wait to proceed with such decisions and expenditures until William Leicht, township fiscal officer, presents trustees with a state-of-the-township outlook on finances next month.
Leicht didn't attend Monday's meeting because he was out of town.
Robyn Gallitto, trustees' chairwoman, suggested that Miller approach the school system and the park board, both of which would be included in a master plan, to see if they could contribute to the costs.
She also suggested Miller pursue a portion of the strategic planning process that could be done by Kent State University graduate students at no cost.
What happened next
James Barone, assistant fiscal officer, also suggested the board wait for Leicht's input before adopting a policy on the inheritance tax.
"He's not the appropriating authority," Gallitto said. "We are."
Mancini said that Leicht is the fiscal officer and a certified public accountant and helped the township get to where it is financially. She pointed out the trustees have not needed to ask voters to approve a new property tax levy since 1995.
That prompted applause from some members of the audience and expressions of disagreement from others.
Dominic DeSalvo, a resident, stood up and started arguing with Mancini and some other audience members. Police Chief Jeffrey Patterson then stood up in front of DeSalvo, asking him to refrain from arguments with the audience.
DeSalvo told the chief to get of his way, and a group of other police officers got up from their seats and, along with Patterson, escorted DeSalvo from the room.
The panel ultimately didn't take action on Miller's recommendations on inheritance tax or the performance audit.
During the public-comment session, Tom Carney, a former township trustee and former Mahoning County commissioner, urged the board to conduct itself in a more collegial manner.
"People don't mind if you disagree with each other, but they don't want you to be disagreeable," Carney said.