Council approves funds for planning consortium

The city is one of 10 communities in the consortium.
By ERIC GROSSO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEWTON FALLS -- City council voted to take another step in developing a comprehensive growth plan for Trumbull County.
Members passed an ordinance Tuesday that would allocate $4,500 to the Western Trumbull County Planning Consortium, which will hire a company to create a comprehensive plan for the area.
Newton Falls is one of 10 communities involved in the consortium, which began in 2004 to plan for better use of land, water, utilities, recreation, sewer and residential and commercial growth in the county's western quadrant.
"The key to the whole thing is looking at the bigger picture," said Consortium Chairman Dan Tietz. "In the long run, everyone will benefit."
Even though the company hasn't been chosen yet, Tietz said the agency is expected to interview leaders of each community individually before coming up with a plan.
Tietz said the individual interviews will help the agency determine what each area needs and what resources it has to offer.
"The more bodies you have together, the bigger the voice they have," said Councilman Ralph Gillespie.
Allocating funds
Before the group can solicit an outside engineering company for the plan, each member must allocate funds according to its population and square mileage.
Along with Newton Falls, Braceville and Lordstown Townships already have passed similar ordinances, and Southington Township is expected to pass its ordinance today, said Tietz, who also is a Southington Township trustee.
"Hopefully, cooperation between all the communities will help each one," said Councilman Eric Thompson.
Tietz noted how some projects, like some that could be developed in the plan, have already started. He noted how the extension of Newton Falls water services this summer to parts of Braceville Township benefits both parties involved.
A public hearing and second reading on the ordinance will be at 6 p.m. March 6 at the Newton Falls Municipal Building.