Weathersfield program to begin police citations

By Mary Smith

The open burning and dumping citations will carry a felony-level charge.

MINERAL RIDGE — Weathersfield Township is starting a new program in which a police officer will work to curb violations of open burning and dumping regulations by issuing police citations.

The citations will carry a felony-level charge, township Administrator David Pugh explained. “Hopefully, we can curb some of our dumping,” he said.

Officer Maynard Tally will take on the job of environmental officer in addition to his police duties, after being trained for the position through the Trumbull-Geauga Solid Waste District.

Tally will be used in the zoning office as well as a police officer and can be contacted by Fire Chief Randy Pugh or Dave Pugh if a complaint comes in, day or night. He will work in the zoning office on his days off from police duty.

Trustees on Tuesday approved implementation of an indigent burial policy for the township, which is based on Ohio Revised Code. Indigents will be cremated at a funeral home to be chosen by the township at an average cost of $750 to the township. The remains will be taken to a cemetery chosen by the township, or if a family member so chooses, the remains will be shipped within the continental U.S. to the family member at the family member’s cost.

Otherwise, the township will bury the remains at a chosen cemetery and a stone or concrete marker will be provided to inscribe the person’s name, age, if known, and date of death.

Trustees also authorized a resolution based on Ohio Revised Code that requires that if a resident has a house fire and has insurance, the insurance company must hold back enough money from the claim to enable the township to demolish the structure if the owner does not repair it.

Trustees also accepted the resignation of police Officer Todd Stitt, effective Aug. 17. Stitt, who has also been serving as the department’s school resource officer, is also a captain with Mineral Ridge Fire Station No. 42, and one of the township’s arson investigators. He has taken a job with the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office as an arson investigator in the local area.

Trustees also approved a list of houses to be demolished: 2873 Niles-Carver Road, 2352 Ninth St., 2941 Woodlawn Ave., 2947 Woodlawn Ave. and 2914 Trumbull Ave.

The township’s repaving program will take place between Friday and Sept. 15, David Pugh said.

This is the last week for tire pick-up until Friday, and residents can set out four tires, without rims. If road crews miss a home, residents should call the township office.