shingtonville drainage concerns addressed

WASHINGTONVILLE - Discussion of the village's streets dominated the Washingtonville Village Council meeting Monday evening.

Councilwoman Renee Jackson highlighted drainage problems when she said ditches along Washington Street, High Street, Bertolette Street and state Route 14, among other roads, are filled with debris and causing excess water to flood.

"If we get a heavy snow it's going to be a mess," she said. "We are going to be flooded if we don't get these opened up."

Jackson said the village is responsible for keeping the ditches clean within the village's limits but said someone would have to talk with Columbiana County Engineer Bert Dawson concerning state Route 14.

Councilwoman Theresa Allison informed council she would like to hold a meeting where an inventory is taken of everything in the street garage and where a set of rules governing the street department can be developed. A time and place for the meeting was not established.

During the meeting council formally hired David Walker as the village's new streets commissioner. Walker will earn $8 and hour and

work approximately 12 hours a week, although he may be eligible for more hours if necessary.

Jackson welcomed him to Washingtonville and then said the village's biggest project after the spring thaw is to prepare the roads for chip and seal.

Police Chief John Finch offered Walker some advice when he said to focus salt on the intersections and hills and not to worry about the roads and alleys. Finch cited the village's limited budget.

Jackson said all local public bodies are watching closely how much salt is being spread and Washingtonville must do the same thing.

Finch informed council members that John Roessler, previously an officer with the village for five years, would like to return to the police force. Council members approved Finch's request to add Roessler to the police schedule.

Roessler said he has previously worked for the Leetonia and Rogers police forces.

Finch also told council that all of the people he's hired since becoming chief have worked out well and that with the addition of Roessler the department would have 15 part-time patrolmen, which Finch said is a full police force.

Matthew White may be contacted at mwhite@salemnews.net.