Canfield trustee resigns position

By Ed Runyan

Trustee Bill Reese denies that a new township job was created for the resigning trustee.

CANFIELD — Paul Moracco, a two-term township trustee and longtime employee of the Canfield Fairgrounds, has quit both jobs and is being considered for a new one working for the township.

Township Trustee Bill Reese said it was a “bombshell” Monday when Moracco submitted his resignation to him and Trustee Randy Brashen at the end of their regular trustees meeting. The resignation came after an executive session.

Moracco did not return phone calls Thursday seeking comment on the reason for the resignation.

Reese said Moracco told him and Brashen the reason he was quitting his trustee position is that he is looking for a new job, and it can be difficult to do that while also holding a position as township trustee.

Working as a trustee, a paid part-time position, can be a big commitment, Reese said. Both Reese and Brashen are retired.

Moracco worked 37 years for the fairgrounds and left there as superintendent of maintenance a couple of months ago, Reese said.

Moracco began serving his third term as trustee this year, having been first elected in 1999.

On Wednesday, the township started running a classified advertisement in The Vindicator seeking a highway superintendent and construction projects manager. The job involves assigning work to road personnel and reporting directly to township trustees on township construction projects.

Reese said those construction projects are the development of the township park on Herbert Road and the construction of a new township hall, also on the 58-acre site.

Reese said trustees discussed the position during their executive session on Monday, but he denied that the position was created for Moracco.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Reese said. “We’ve been kicking this around for a long time.”

No salary has been set for the new job. Pay will be based on experience, Reese said.

Reese said Moracco does have the experience to handle the new job because of his work with the fairgrounds, including experience in writing grant applications like the ones that will be needed to develop the park land.

Trustees will open bids for the first phase of the park’s development on June 24, and work on the project — dirt moving, creation of a pond and construction of athletic fields — could begin soon after that, Reese said.

Soccer fields are likely to be ready next summer.

When trustees have a clear picture of what parts of the land will be needed for athletic facilities, pond and playground space, they will be ready to move on to construction of a new township hall, which is likely to cost around $1 million, Reese added.

Trustees already have architectural drawings ready for the building.

Reese said he believes he and Brashen have 30 days to appoint an interim trustee.

Joyce Kale Pesta, deputy director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, said Moracco’s position will come up for election in November 2009 to replace him for the last two years of his term.

runyan@vindy.com