MCDONALD COUNCIL | Agenda

Meeting Wednesday, village officials handled these matters:

Discussed resubmitting a grant application for part of a federal Safe Routes to School program. The village was turned down during its last request for a portion of the grant, which is being disbursed through the Ohio Department of Transportation, and will meet next week to talk about adding new features to the package, Councilman Richard Harvey noted. The village will apply for roughly $250,000, which will go toward building sidewalks to make it safer for pupils to walk to and from Roosevelt Elementary and McDonald High schools, Police Chief Lou Ronghi said, adding that there are no sidewalks on the side of Sixth and Seventh streets facing the two schools.

Heard about enforcement of parking ordinances around both schools. Ronghi noted that his department is working with school officials and others to reduce problems related to parking on nearby streets, and will study the situation over the next several months before making recommendations to council. After school, some people block residents’ driveways, park in crosswalks and block traffic while picking up their children, creating potential safety hazards, the chief noted. Recent enforcement has decreased problems, Ronghi said, adding that he hopes to see more people take advantage of available parking at the schools.

Passed a resolution to appoint Newton Falls Mayor Patrick Layshock to sit on the Trumbull County 911 Planning Commission. Layshock will represent municipal corporations, villages and townships served by dispatching centers, Ronghi said.

Talked about resuming a warm-water program at the high school, 600 Iowa Ave., for village residents age 18 or older who suffer from arthritis, muscle aches and other similar ailments. The six-week, low-impact exercise program gets under way Saturday and will be from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 to 10:15 a.m. Saturdays at the pool. Cost is $3 per class. Those interested need to mail sign-up or waiver forms to Pool Program, 451 Ohio Ave., McDonald 44437. For more information, call the municipal building at (330) 530-5472.