Trespassing and illegal dumping a problem at reservoir in Perrysburg
By JACKI COMELLOFact Box
Authorities have made an arrest and the Buffalo FBI has also been contacted.
PERRYSBURG - Village Water and Sewer Superintendent Robin Clark informed the public and the Village Board of a recent issue at the reservoir. He explained that nine to 10 bags of garbage were disposed of in a restricted area.
According to Clark, authorities have made an arrest and the Buffalo FBI has also been contacted.
"It's serious," Clark stated. "It's different from dumping it on the road."
Fines for this type of offense could range from $1,500 to $35,000. "In certain circumstances, it could be a federal offense, entering on a public water system to commit a crime."
He also said he will be working with the health department to research ways to improve security at the water system.
Clark passed on a message from Town of Perrysburg Highway Superintendent Dan Stang about additional dumping issues. "It's running rampant in the Town," he said. "They're getting bags and bags of garbage on like Plank Road down 39."
A decision was made to change the date of next month's board meeting from April 21 to April 14. The annual budget is due and a public hearing will be held at that meeting to approve the budget.
Mayor Anthony Kota discussed the first draft of the budget with the Village Trustees.
He indicated that the tentative budget has a minimal increase of 2.9 percent with a tentative tax rate of 7.1874, up from the current rate of 6.98 percent.
"I've tried to contain costs," Kota said, and he went on to explain some of the steps taken.
He mentioned Governor Patterson's symbolic 10 percent pay cut, explaining that some board members from other municipalities have followed suit.
"In the budget, I've done the symbolic 10 percent pay cut".
Kota extended the offer to the Village Trustees and they plan to discuss it further as work continues on the budget.
The Mayor's pay cut will add about $346 to the budget and if the trustees follow his lead, their contribution would be $178 each.
Clark asked Kota if he has ever gotten a raise since becoming mayor. His answer was that neither he nor the trustees have taken a raise in the last several years.
"We are also considering a 10 percent pay decrease for the clerk with the possibility of reducing office hours," Kota said. "The work load would stay the same, but it would be reduced work hours."
In other news:
Town Clerk Christine Bartlett informed residents that water and sewer bills need to be paid in full. "No partial payments will be accepted," she said. "They will be returned to you and then you will possibly incur late fees."
The board recognized and signed a certificate of service that was overlooked at a previous meeting when other citizens were honored. "This is for Ed Randall who passed away last year for his many years of service, loyalty and dedication for serving on the zoning board of appeals and the planning board," Bartlett announced.
A decision is still pending regarding the right of way request by National Fuel. Clark expressed some concerns because the sewer lift system is within the area that National Fuel is requesting access to. Clark reported that National Fuel representatives have yet to return his calls.
No additional information was available at this time regarding the dissolution study grant.
Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com
