LEETONIA — Village council approved an offer for the village’s commercial insurance in its meeting Wednesday.
Originally discussed in council’s prior meeting Sept. 6, the proposed policy for the upcoming fiscal year had a cost of $41,363.76, which represents an 8.9% increase over last year’s cost of $37,982. The matter was tabled at that meeting to allow Fiscal Officer Nick Mistovich to review potential alternate policies.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Mistovich presented council with proposed policy modifications from two brokers, both of which would see changes to the village’s deductibles to lower the overall premium.
The first proposed policy would increase the village’s property deductible from $1,000 to $2,500, for a premium of $39,017.76. The second proposal would increase both the property and auto deductibles from $1,000 to $2,500 to reduce the premium to $37,957.76.
Mistovich said that the increase had been primarily caused by increases to commercial property values,
noting that of the $3,381.76 change, $3,090 was caused by this valuation increase. Mistovich also said that the village’s insurer was happy to explain the proposed policy to council in-depth and work with the village directly to develop the next year’s policy before the current one expires should council elect to remain there, and that they were “taking it really seriously,” and would not take the village’s account for granted.
Council ultimately voted unanimously to accept the proposed policy as presented with no modifications.
Other financial matters approved included the transfer of $3,000 from the general fund to the cemetery fund, and the purchase of new police vests from Blue Line for $5854,60, with $4,390.95 of that cost being paid through grant funding from the state.
Other matters included approval of the upcoming retirement of Cheryl Altomare effective Sept. 30. Altomare has worked for the village in various positions for 35.5 years.
“I want to acknowledge her commitment and dedication to the village over the years through all her positions,” said Mayor Kevin Siembida.
In his report Siembida said that the next phase of work on Walnut Street, which will see the northbound lane taken up and replaced will begin Oct. 2, weather permitting, and is estimated to take approximately two weeks.
During his report Village Administrator Gary Phillips requested the Water and Sewer Committee have an informational meeting prior to council’s next meeting on Oct. 4 to discuss the department’s projects. The meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 4.
Council also heard a complaint from resident John Rupert regarding ongoing issues caused by overgrowth of a tree on a vacant property. Rupert said that branches from a tree on the vacant property across the street from his home on Chestnut Street will grow out into the street, making it difficult for two cars to pass by each other, causing debris to be thrown into his yard and cars to drive through his yard to avoid damage.
“People are in my yard because obviously they don’t want their vehicle scratched, and the other people aren’t going to sideswipe someone, so they go into my yard,” said Rupert.
Rupert said that in the past the village had cut the limbs back, alleviating the issue temporarily, but that roughly every three years it grows back to a length to begin causing the issue again, and he had been unable to get assistance in resolving the issue from the village. Rupert explained that he had spoken with Siembida who agreed the village should be able to remedy the issue and had been directed to speak with Street Superintendent Ed Allen about the issue; and that when he spoke with Allen before Labor Day, he had been told the department couldn’t address it at that time as it was busy with holiday preparations. Rupert also said that he had since called again five times and Wednesday, leaving two messages for Allen which had not been answered, so he went to the village office on Thursday, and spoke to Allen in person, claiming they had gotten into an argument about the issue and he was asked to leave.
Council President JR Ferry said he lived nearby and was familiar with the tree in question, and agreed it is making it difficult for two cars to pass by each other on the street, asking Allen what the village could do about the issue.
Allen said that the department currently only has one laborer, but that they should be in the area to do mowing sometime next week.
Ferry suggested Rupert return and inform the council if the matter had not been resolved prior to their next meeting, and Rupert agreed he would.
The village council will meet next at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4.
