Wintersville Council hears Jefferson County update
Trending
WINTERSVILLE -- Members of Village Council received an update about progress in Jefferson County and accepted the resignation of a village official during Thursday’s meeting.
Commissioner Tony Morelli said there were a lot of positive things happening around the county. Among them was the decision of Youngstown State University to open a Steubenville campus in what was the former Eastern Gateway Community College location.
“That was a lot bigger than anybody knows to get someone to take that facility,” Morelli said. “The county couldn’t afford to pay the heating bills, and nobody really wanted it. It was quite a coup that we got Youngstown State to come. The state played a big part, and we (county officials) have to get some credit, especially (assistant county Prosecutor) Shawn Blake, and I am happy to have had a little part in that.”
With that transfer accomplished, Morelli said the next step will be developing the 70-or-so acres of property that sits between YSU and the Lowe’s, especially the acreage that once made up the lower parking lot at EGCC, adding the interest is there.
“I’ve had national developers call, and I’ve asked them why that particular parcel was so important. I asked them to let me show them some other properties, and they weren’t interested -- they just wanted that one piece of property in Steubenville. I’m talking about some of the big boys,” the commissioner added.
Education could be the major driver of growth in the region, Morelli added. Steubenville, he said, is the site of three major institutes of higher learning -- the Franciscan University of Steubenville, the college of St. Joseph the Worker and YSU-Steubenville.
“If you ever listen to the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, Franciscan’s president, anytime he talks he says they are internationally successful, and he always says that these accomplishments and what they have done would not have worked anywhere else than this area,” he said.
Morelli also discussed oil and gas wells that are coming to the area and added that officials with UPMC Trinity have told the commissioners that they are committed to continuing to provide services to the region.
Also during the meeting, Mayor Mike Petrella said Patricia Proffitt had resigned as the village’s fiscal officer, effective Oct. 9. The Richmond resident had been selected in February to fill the post on a full-time basis. The Air Force veteran had come to the village with more than 20 years of experience in the field.
The mayor said applications world be reviewed for the position, which will be filled by an appointment from Petrella with the approval of council.
He also announced that Bill Davis had resigned from the village’s planning commission, citing personal reasons. Petrella added that he had appointed Sean Harlan to fill the open spot.
Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi was recognized by the mayor for his efforts in helping to recover a significant portion of the costs incurred as the result of a March traffic accident involving an impaired driver on Cadiz Road. A fire hydrant was damaged in the accident, which led to the loss of thousands of gallons of treated water from the village system and a repair effort that spanned from a Friday evening through a Sunday afternoon.
The village was able to recoup $32,000 of the $38,000 cost, the mayor explained, thanks to Kosegi’s work.
During his report, Kosegi said progress continues to be made on projects throughout the village, adding that crews have been replacing pipe at record rates. That work includes curbing and catch basin repair.
Water bills, he said, were mailed out on Oct. 1, and many village residents have reported they have received them. Some, however, have said their bills had not arrived. E-billing is an option that a growing number of residents are using, he said, adding that the utility office will email a copy of the bill to residents who call. Whether a resident receives a bill or not, the payment is due on the 20th of each month, he added.
Kosegi also issued a reminder that the village will pursue legal action against people who continually write bad checks to the utility department.
In other matters:
• Petrella said trick-or-treat in the village will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.
• The mayor said that Pastor Tim Gross of Crossroads Christian Church on Springdale Avenue said the fourth-annual Judgment House presentation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 28, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 29-30; and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 1. The free event attracts hundreds of people each year.
• The mayor added that the village’s fall leaf collection will occur on the first three Mondays of November. Those whose regular trash collection is on Tuesday will have their leaves collected Nov. 2; those whose regular trash collection is on Wednesday will have their leaves collected Nov. 9; and those whose trash is picked up on Thursday or Friday will have their leaves collected Nov. 16;
• Council was reminded that village offices will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. Sanitation will run on a normal schedule, the mayor added.
• Petrella said the village’s Christmas parade will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 6. Groups interested in participating can contact the village office.
• The mayor said judging for the Christmas light-up contest will be held Dec. 12-13, with the top finishers being revealed at the Dec. 17 council meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Municipal Building.