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Forming joint fire district to be topic
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
NEW MIDDLETOWN
The public is invited to a meeting at 8 p.m. next Wednesday at the Springfield Township Administration Building to discuss forming a joint fire district between Springfield Township and New Middletown.
New Middletown Council’s president announced the meeting when council met Monday.
Mayor Harry Kale said a similar meeting in April drew a good turnout and resulted in discussion but no decisions.
Officials from Springfield Township and the village have been talking for months about forming the district, but the details have not been worked out.
Also Monday, Kale announced that installation of sanitary sewers for 38 households on parts of Middletown Road and state Route 170 is “in limbo” because most residents attending a recent public meeting opposed the plan when they learned what the cost would be.
He said the cost per household for installation of the sewer would be $8,000 to $10,000 at zero interest spread over 20 years.
He said a final decision on whether to go ahead with the project will be made once all residents are polled.
In other matters, council accepted the $62,435 low bid of J.C.M. Contracting Inc., New Springfield, for completion of street lighting on state Route 170 from the school to the village building.
Council defeated by a 6-2 vote a motion to hire Battaglia Construction Co., Roots- town, to fix rusting on the bottom of the village administration building for $8,800.
Several council members objected to the fact that Battaglia had submitted the only quote for the work and wanted two more quotes before making a decision.
Only council members Dan Santangelo and Anthony Didio voted for the motion.
Fiscal Officer Carl Flitcraft Jr. commented that he doesn’t know of any other company besides Battaglia that does this type of work.
Police Chief Vince D’Egidio announced that starting May 21, the village will participate in the national “Click it or Ticket” program, which will spot-check motorists for compliance with seat-belt and child safety-seat laws.
He also announced the May 31 Memorial Day Parade lineup will be at 9 a.m. with the parade beginning at 9:30 a.m.
A 10 a.m. community service is planned.
Anyone who wants to be in the parade should call the police department.
James Lewis was hired as a part-time village police officer.
A Springfield Township native, he works part time as a Struthers patrolman.