The-Press-News.com - EC council discusses ordinance to annex Eslich land

By DONNA ROBINSON

The Press-News

EAST CANTON -- During the Monday night meeting of village council, an ordinance to annex land owned by Eslich Environmental, Inc. was considered.

The ordinance stated, "The village of East Canton does hereby create a new 1-2 construction and demolition debris facility district and creates certain definitions and adopts general and specific regulations with respect to land use in the district as part of a comprehensive zoning plan within the village."

Council members went over the requirements set forth in the ordinance. Any construction and demolition debris or composting shall be conducted at least 300 feet from property lines and at least 1,000 feet from any water well. The site setback area will be maintained by creating an earthen mound with forest growth or planting of deciduous trees to reduce odors, dust, trash and other airborne debris. On-site burning, crushing, grinding or any type preparation of any material for recycling will not be permitted. All work conducted in connection with the operation will have to be conducted only during the hours agreed by the permit holder and the village council.

Village solicitor Charlie Hall said that items such as roof shingles or slabs of cement are permitted to be dumped at the site, but they would not be permitted to grind or crush them up on-site. The business would be permitted to take them off-site for grinding or crushing.

Resident Lee Fuller asked council about the buffer hill that would be created between his property and the landfill. He was concerned about rain that would drain off that hill and onto his property. Mayor Reggie McGee said it is a state law that a neighbor cannot do anything to cause another neighbor a problem with run-off water. Fuller asked if village could control the traffic from the dump trucks. McGee said the village cannot stop traffic from using state roads.

This ordinance is now in draft form, so Hall will make necessary changes to bring back for council's next meeting.

Council member Tracey Haley asked McGee if there should be an exit interview conducted when a police officer either quits or is fired. McGee said that if that were required for the police department, it would have to be required of all village employees. The police handbook will be checked to see if it is addressed.

Haley also asked how the police department determines what officers are to be on duty for certain duties, such as working at the Foltz Community Center. She said that when an officer signs up to take on a task, another officer with higher seniority may scratch out that officer's name and add their name to the list. She also asked about drug deals she said are taking place in the village. She said the police are too "lax" on this problem, and she asked why. The mayor said he would talk to the police chief about the matter.

Fiscal officer Barb Hall said some customers for J&J Refuse may receive a partial bill, and the full bill will be received at a new date. She explained this will happen in order to get everyone on the same billing cycle.

McGee said many residents are happy with Direct Energy for their gas use. Some business people have asked if they are be able to sign on as customers, as it was stated "small businesses" could hook up with Direct Energy. McGee said that If they use less then 2,000 units of energy, they would be entitled to the reduced rate. He went on to say that anyone with questions could contact him or Direct Energy.

In other business, council:

* HEARD from council member Kurt Geis that water bills are back to normal now that the water breaks have been repaired;

* HEARD, during the safety report by council member Nick Collins, a list of all the street lights that are out;

* HEARD Collins present an outline of creating a way for the village to have its own water system. Collins has talked to well drillers and he asked council to read the information and bring it up for discussion at the next meeting;

* PAID invoices in the amount of $29,588.33 and payroll of $10,900.77.