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Weathersfield trustees brace for cut in funds
By Mary Smith
MINERAL RIDGE
Steve Gerberry, the Weathersfield Township trustee chairman, said trustees are preparing for a 20 percent decrease in the township’s Local Government Funds from the state for 2011.
The township now receives $148,000, and Gerberry said trustees will have to be more careful in spending because of the reduction.
Clerk Fred Bobovnyk said at Tuesday’s meeting that trustees have gotten word through the Ohio Township Association that townships may be losing 10 percent to 20 percent of their LGF.
The state money goes into the general fund and is used for salaries, benefits, transfers to road and bridge, a cemetery fund and for other expenses, such as supplies and maintenance.
In other business, Allied Waste Services of Austintown is starting to deliver containers now to residents for the startup Jan. 3 of a single company doing township-wide garbage pickup and recycling.
Trustees approved a contract with Allied earlier this year in a move to have a single garbage collector picking up on a regular schedule rather than several companies collecting at different days and times.
The cost of the service is $41.94 every three months per household for garbage collection and recycling. Residents also can purchase a bag a week at a cost of $3.25 if they don’t require full service.
Trustees also moved to accept the retirement of Lt. James Fynes from the police department effective Dec. 5 and the retirement of Lt. Michael R. Stith effective Jan. 30.
Trustees also awarded a contract to demolish a house at 145 Welsh Hill for $2,100, which will be paid by the landowner.
Trustees named June Lucas, former state representative, to a three-year term as an alternate on the township zoning commission effective Jan. 1.
They also accepted a $3,000 donation for the police department from Predator Trucking of the township. Gerberry said the money would be used to buy equipment.
The trustees will continue to meet at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. The reorganization meeting will be at 6:45 p.m. Jan. 11.
The township has an opening on both the zoning commission and the board of zoning appeals. Anyone interested in filling either vacancy is asked to contact the trustees.