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Austintown Rules to be altered for massage parlors
By ROBERT CONNELLY
AUSTINTOWN
Township trustees unanimously approved the first of two readings on minor changes to massage-parlor rules.
Austintown’s remaining massage parlor, 76 Spa on 76 Drive, is close to the interchange of state Route 46 and Interstate 80. Police Chief Robert Gavalier said prostitution was discovered recently during an inspection.
Detective Jeff Solic said no arrests have been made after the “routine inspection” for health and safety standards. An undercover officer found violations a few weeks ago.
76 Spa sits in the same strip mall as Club 76 and Gold Strike Cafe, which police have said are under investigation for giving cash payouts at Internet cafes.
Zoning inspector Darren Crivelli explained that the regulations for signs and locations for massage parlors will be governed by state code instead of specific township zoning, allowing townships additional regulations. He explained that because these businesses generally are associated with illegal activity, this gives the township more authority over them.
For example, the township previously had limited the establishments to industrially zoned areas and in properties fronting Route 46, and also within 4,000 feet north or south of Interstate 80. Now it can apply other limits, as needed.
The other changes include the massage parlors being closed from midnight to 8 a.m. on any day of the week and there are new exemptions. Those now include public health centers, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, karate schools, private and public K-12 schools and community fitness centers.
The changes to the massage-parlor rules were discussed Monday. No resident spoke against or in favor of the ordinance changes before the 3-0 vote in favor of the amendments. The second reading will take place at the next trustee meeting, Crivelli said.
During Monday’s trustee meeting at the Austintown Senior Center, the Fraternal Order of Eagles presented three donations: $3,000 to the police and fire departments and $1,000 to the senior center. Gavalier said the donation will go toward purchasing new rifles, replacing Vietnam War-era rifles they had been using. He said the cost to equip the new rifles to department vehicles and the new rifles will cost $1,700.
Fire Chief Andy Frost III said the donation will cover most of the cost to replace expired safety belts. The total cost of the 24 safety belts is $3,200; they are replaced every 10 years. Frost explained the belts go around the waist and have an 18-inch tether that ties to a ladder whenever a firefighter is in the air.
He added that they are in the air one to two times a week for training purposes.
The Eagles have helped ease capital expenses for the fire department before, such as when the organization helped fund the purchase of Jaws of Life.
“Its always a worry. Sometimes, we have to go past the expiration date” on equipment, Frost said.
Mike Galle, general manager of Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, was on hand to announce the co-sponsorship of the township’s fireworks show during the festivities of July 4.