Action planned for zoning panel chief

A police officer will be
assigned to local schools.

By MARY SMITH

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

MINERAL RIDGE — Weathersfield Township trustees have decided 2-1 to discipline or remove Mary Sohayda, chairwoman of the township zoning commission.

Trustees will have a hearing at a special meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the township administration building.

William Miller, trustee chairman, said Tuesday that the board’s action is being taken in response to a hastily called meeting of the zoning commission at 6 p.m. Nov. 7. It was not confirmed until late in the day that there would be a quorum to hold a meeting. Trustee John Vogel also voted for the measure.

The commission usually meets the second Wednesday of the month.

Trustee Fred Bobovnyk, who voted against disciplinary action, said trustees received a letter dated Nov. 12 from the zoning commission members, apologizing for “the accidental oversight of not notifying the newspapers for the business meeting.” The letter said all issues discussed at the November meeting will be discussed again at the next regular meeting, Dec. 12.

The letter added that no official business took place at the November meeting.

It is a violation of Ohio law not to provide 24 hours’ notice of a meeting of a public body to the press and others who have asked to be notified.

June Lucas, a resident and former state representative, also complained that the zoning commission met the way it did, telling trustees she provided the commission with a copy of Canfield’s zoning laws regarding signs. She wanted the commission to look them over for possible use in the township.

She said the “clandestine meeting” took place the same night as the newly formed beautification committee in the township. She added the members could be taken to court over Ohio Revised Code violations.

“But I want, instead, for the zoning commission to meet on a regular basis,” Lucas said. She complained the commission canceled at least two meetings this summer and has had her four-page list of sign zoning recommendations since May.

She said the beautification committee took pictures of signs in the township that were obsolete or movable last spring, when it first formed.

Trustees received an update on the beautification committee’s work Tuesday from Linda Ferrence, a committee member. She told trustees the committee had placed banners for the Mineral Ridge Rams along state Route 46 and has received private donations of between $1,200 and $1,400.

The committees next big project is to put up wreaths for Christmas.

In other business, trustees approved an agreement with the Weathersfield Local Schools for a police officer. Language for a contract will be drawn up by the township’s attorney. The schools will pay for the officer.

Capt. Joe Naples explained that the contract with the schools will send an officer to all of the buildings two or three days a week, and some programs will be planned by the officer.

Trustees also approved a resolution to have the road superintendent make improvements at the Seaborn Elementary entrance on Niles-Carver Road. The township will be installing 30 feet of pipe with a catch basin to minimize or eliminate water on the south side of the main driveway; and grading dirt and contouring terrain to direct and channel water toward the catch basin on the north side of the main drive.