Boardman trustees take government to the schools

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Boardman Center Middle School students got to learn more about local government Monday as township trustees conducted their regular meeting at the school.

Trustees issued proclamations honoring Sarah Pavalko and Denise Gorski.

Sarah, 14, helped save her family’s home from a fire in March after she saw the warning signs and practiced proper fire safety.

She accepted the Smoke Detector On Guard Award from the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal and the township fire department.

The board recognized Gorski for her 30-plus years as a teacher and high-school girls track coach. Gorski retired last year and now serves as school district athletic director, the first woman to do so in Boardman.

“Boardman is a much-better place because of the efforts of Mrs. Gorski,” Trustee Tom Costello said.

“My teaching and coaching career here is something I will cherish forever,” Gorski said.

Trustees also swore in the township’s newest firefighter, Troy Haire.

“It is always a good thing when you can give someone the ability to come home,” fire Chief Mark Pitzer said of Haire, who originally is from the area and worked in Georgia for the past 10 years.

Students also saw a canine demonstration led by officer Brian Cionni, who handles canine officer Eros.

Trustees opened bids for a catch basin repair project. Bids ranged from $45,015 to $119,145. Township officials and an engineering firm will review the bids before awarding a contract.