Trustees to seek talks about study

One Canfield trustee remains opposed to a merger between the city and township or a study on the proposal.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

CANFIELD — Will residents be better off if the township and Canfield city become one entity?

That was the main topic brought up at Monday’s trustees meeting, and the answer varied.

Marie Cartwright, a Leffingwell Road resident, told trustees she favors having both the city and township take part in a joint feasibility study to discuss the pros and cons of such a move.

Cartwright emphasized she doesn't necessarily support a merger per se but was behind a study that would look at possible benefits of sharing services.

“I firmly believe that township residents deserve to know what benefits could be achieved by the sharing of services or lack thereof,” she wrote in a letter to trustees.

Cartwright cited the Cardinal Joint Fire District as an example of how merging city and township services can work well.

Trustee Randy Brashen introduced a motion to set a date for meeting with city officials to talk about a feasibility study regarding a merger.

Trustee Robert Moracco said he supports a study to weigh the pros and cons of combining services, as long as it’s conducted by an outside, nonpartisan body.

Opposed to idea

Voicing his opposition to a merger and study was Trustee William Reese, who said he’s received a few dozen calls from residents who feel the same as he does.

Many who called said they were against dissolving the township because they would have to pay an additional 1 percent city tax as well as higher utility costs, Reese added.

The city maintains all of its roads, whereas most of the township’s roads are maintained by Mahoning County and the state.

Merging the township and city would probably create a much bigger road department at a considerably greater cost, Reese said.

The vote on Brashen’s motion was 2-1, wth Reese voting no.

Trustees announced their next regular meeting was moved from Sept. 24 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at the administrative building, 21 S. Broad St.