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Canfield city looks back on year of accomplishments
CANFIELD
City council recently released a year-in-review highlighting the accomplishments, legislation passed and completed projects during 2016.
Among the most significant developments was the passage of a major police levy.
The five-year, 3.9-mill levy was passed after a tenacious community-outreach effort by Canfield police to inform the public about the levy’s specific spending allowances. Money will go to pay for new police radios and to fund continuing service in the community. The levy will generate $767,546 annually.
In addition to its passage, an addition to the Canfield police department to facilitate growing ranks was completed after a year of construction.
The police department also was awarded a $20,000 Ohio Department of Public Safety grant to continue leading county-wide OVI checkpoint efforts in 2017.
An agreement between the city of Canfield and Canfield Township resulted in the creation of a joint economic development district for the purpose of constructing a 72-bed nursing facility.
The facility – owned by John Masternick, owner of the Windsor House in Girard – had its groundbreaking in September and is expected to bring 80 jobs to Canfield.
The 18.6-acre JEDD where the nursing facility is located is bordered by state Route 446 and the Mill Creek MetroParks.
While the JEDD allowed for shared development between the city and the township, a potential annexation would see the city grow by 22 acres.
MALA Properties, which owns 22 acres within the township just south of U.S. Route 224, last September filed a petition to annex to the city of Canfield. The annexation initially was opposed by the township trustees, who objected on the grounds the annexation violated the JEDD agreement. Since that objection was filed last September, however, an agreement between the city and township concerning the land may be finalized as early as this week.
If the annexation occurs, the city would have the option to fully develop and collect income tax on the Red Gate Farm property. The township would receive real-estate taxes from the sale.
The groundbreaking for the new 18,000-square-foot Canfield public library branch took place last October and will occupy in the same spot as the former library did before its demolition.
Overall, the council passed 43 ordinances, 14 resolutions and 16 motions throughout the year.