Trumbull officials to discuss proposed Falls annexation

Staff report

WARREN

The part of today’s Trumbull County commissioners meeting dealing with a proposed annexation is expected to follow a similar procedure as one conducted in February.

That’s when attorneys for the commissioners, Newton Falls and the townships of Braceville and Newton gave legal arguments for why Newton Falls should or should not be able to annex about 440 acres near the Ohio Turnpike into the village.

Newton Falls officials have argued that the annexation will lead to economic development.

The county commissioners voted to reject the annexation the first time, following advice from the attorney they hired who said Newton Falls had not taken all of the necessary steps.

The village submitted a revised annexation petition, which prompted the townships to again submit arguments in writing opposing the annexation.

Newton Falls officials say they eliminated the issues the commissioners said prevented them from approving the annexation the first time.

Both sides and the attorney for the county commissioners will again get to discuss their position today before the commissioners make their decision.

The county commissioners say Ohio law doesn’t require them to have a public hearing on the issue, but they decided to allow the parties to speak, Commissioner Frank Fuda said.

The commissioners have not discussed the newest petition with the attorney they hired to advise them and will probably do that today, Fuda said.

The annexation discussion will occur at the end of the commissioners regular meeting at noon in their regular meeting room in the county administration building on High Street.

The commissioners are expected to make a decision today or Thursday to meet a deadline in Ohio law.