New Mill Creek impound lot opens in January
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Those unlucky enough to have their vehicles towed while in Mill Creek MetroParks properties soon will be able to at least take comfort in not having to travel far to retrieve their cars.
“We tow 75 to 80 vehicles a year on average,” said Jim Willock, the park district’s police chief said during park commissioners’ board meeting Monday in the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center, 123 McKinley Ave., on the West Side. “Forty percent are never claimed.”
Beginning in January, vehicles that are towed from park property will be taken to an impound lot behind the Mill Creek MetroParks Police Department, 810 Glenwood Ave., on the South Side, Willock explained. Owners will be charged a $25-per-day fee for storage and release, he noted.
Money generated from the fees will go to the park’s general fund, much of which will be used for infrastructure and other essential needs, the chief continued.
The impound area has been completed and should be operational by early next month, Willock said.
In other business, commissioners approved a $1,380,200 temporary budget for the first two months of 2016.
The funds will be used mainly to pay bills for January and February, noted Treasurer Kevin Smith, who said that the end of March is the deadline for approving a long-term budget.
Also at the session, several elected officials and others expressed their thanks to Atty. Lou Schiavoni for his 41/2 years of service on the board, including two as its president.
Schiavoni announced at a Dec. 14 board meeting that he would not seek a renewal of his term, which expires at month’s end, mainly because he wants to devote more time to his family and law practice. Aaron Young, the park’s executive director, is to take over as president.
Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, gave proclamations to Schiavoni for his service. Lou Schiavoni is Joe Schiavoni’s father.
The elder Schiavoni praised fellow board members for working with him to achieve what he said is in the park’s best interests.
He also expressed gratitude for the passage last month of a 15-year renewal of a 1.75-mill operating levy and a 0.25-mill levy for capital improvements. In all, the levy will bring in about $7.6 million annually.
Despite not seeking another term, Schiavoni said he plans to continue working on behalf of Mill Creek MetroParks.
“I’ll still be around, I can tell you that,” he added.
Also receiving a proclamation was Bill Whitehouse, who has been active with the park for about 60 years, more than 30 of which he spent as a naturalist.
The next regular board meeting is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at the MetroParks Farm on state Route 46 in Canfield.