LISBON — Columbiana County Park Board members agreed to hire Mark Guy of East Palestine as their new part-time administrative assistant and agreed to recommend Michael Bates of Lisbon for appointment to an unexpired term on the board.

The moves were decided during a special meeting Friday, with Vice Chairman Crystal Siembida Boggs and board members David Hughes and Megan McMaster all in agreement. Chairman Joe Lawhorn was unable to attend.

Siembida Boggs planned to submit Michael Bates’ information to county Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Baronzzi, who is the appointing authority for the park district, for his consideration. If appointed, Bates will serve the four-year term vacated by longtime board member Tom Butch in January. Butch had just been sworn in for the new term in December. The term expires Dec. 31, 2029.

There had originally been two candidates who expressed interest in joining the board, but one 

candidate who had been interviewed by McMaster and Lawhorn withdrew his name from consideration. Siembida Boggs and McMaster interviewed Bates.

“I feel he has a little more understanding of volunteering,” McMaster said, plus he already had involvement with the parks, helping during a cleanup project at Scenic Vista Park according to Siembida Boggs. Hughes didn’t know him but said if someone’s willing to serve and represent the people of the county and the park district, he has nothing against that and said he was voting yes.

As for the administrative assistant position, Siembida Boggs said one candidate already took another job, with Guy the only remaining candidate. She said the qualifications were there and he’s willing to work for the wages offered. McMaster said he interviewed very well and asked a lot of good questions.

Last month, the board agreed on the job description and set the hours at 15 hours per week, with the possibility of up to 20 hours per week and agreed that the person will be paid if attending an event for work. The starting pay will be $12.15 per hour, with raises of 25 cents after the first quarter, 50 cents after the second quarter, 25 cents after the third quarter and then 50 cents, bringing the total to $13.65 after one year.

Hughes said he’s known Guy for years and was surprised that he applied. He previously worked many years for the Columbiana County Board of Elections.

Siembida Boggs was thankful that he did apply. She said she wanted him to start Monday, saying they’re two months behind and there’s way too much for the board members to do themselves.

Hughes did ask that in the future, any assistant or administrative person go through a background check.

Also during the meeting, former Park District Board member Tom Butch, who is the chairman of Friends of the Park, indicated the Friends will continue to pay for the portable toilet at the parking lot near Logtown Road and asked for the bills to be sent to him.

Siembida Boggs said the county commissioners have informed the board the building where the park office is located will have to be vacated and Commissioner Mike Halleck said he would let them know when they have to move, to give them time to make arrangements.

After the meeting when asked about the building, she said they may have to put the office at the park district’s maintenance building, which many years ago served as the Center Township headquarters before the township moved to a new location near the Lisbon industrial park.

Butch also commented about the climbing cliffs owned by the village of Lisbon that the village wants the park district to take over. He explained that half of the climbing wall area is part of the park district’s new Logtown Stone Quarry park while the other half used by climbers belongs to Lisbon. He said the village’s property includes the climbing cliffs and the rest is all wooded. The climbing group already takes care of the cliffs and the wooded area wouldn’t really need maintenance.

He said there should still be $18,000 left from the Western Reserve Land Conservancy from the purchase of the Logtown Stone Quarry area and he said the land conservancy would probably put money into the project to purchase the Lisbon land for some maintenance. The land conservancy would purchase the property.

Butch said acquiring the rest of the cliffs would be good for the future and good for the village. In the future, the district could put some walking trails in.

“I appreciate that information,” Siembida Boggs said.

Still  pending is a meeting between park district members, Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson and representatives from the land conservancy.

The next regular meeting of the park district board remains set for 11:30 a.m. March 10.