By DONNA ROBINSON
The Press-News
EAST CANTON -- Stark C&D Landfill in Osnaburg Township was the topic of discussion at the regular session of village council on Monday night. The meeting was held at the Foltz Community Center, since a large crowd was expected.
Osnaburg Township Trustee Donna Middaugh was the first to address council members on the proposed annexation of the landfill into the village of East Canton.
Ms. Middaugh stated, she is "not against the annexation if it is done in the right way." Using large maps that were placed in the front of the room, Middaugh showed the size of the landfill as it is today and how much more it could grow in the future if correct zoning laws are not set in place to stop expansion.
Middaugh reported the township has been fighting the landfill expansion in the courts for two and a half years. She voiced her opinion that the township has a good chance to win this case and keep the landfill from expanding. That is one of the reasons Middaugh thinks the landfill wants to become a part of the village, because the owners know they will most likely lose the case with Osnaburg. She pointed out the landfill does not bring in much money, between $5,000-$7,000 per year and some income taxes. Middaugh suggested the village and township work together to keep the landfill from expanding. She said she objects to the annexation by the village, unless the landfill owners agree not to increase in size.
Council member Kurt Geis asked Middaugh what would happen if the township lost the case in court. She answered that the township would take it to the case to the Ohio Supreme Court. However, Middaugh said she is confident the township will not lose this case.
Mike Shockling, who resides on East Nassau in East Canton, said the smell from the landfill is terrible. He also talked about the truck traffic on the street from the landfill.
Lee Fuller, who also resides on East Nassau, said he hears trucks going into the landfill property late at night and then the sound of a bulldozer running. He questioned why the landfill needs to hurry and cover up what they brought in and why late into the night.
Ron Mack, who resides on Eveningstar Road, said the only way to shut the landfill down is to raise the tipping fees they have to pay to the township (or the village if they were annexed).
Other statements from residents at the meeting included: 1. Trash falling from trucks littering the streets. 2. The concern of contamination to drinking water. 3. Property values will go down. 4. The residents should be the ones to vote on the annexation. 5. If allowed to expand, the landfill would be a health issue with the new school being built within a 1,000 feet of the landfill.
Mayor Reggie McGee thanked everyone who addressed council. He said what they had to say was important to him and to council members. McGee said the village did not ask Stark C&D Landfill to consider this annexation. The landfill approached the village asking for water and sewer lines. McGee said it was not the wish of council to allow expansion of the landfill. He said at the last council meeting the first reading of the ordinance or the proposed annexation was read, which was also a way of getting the word out to the public to hear their opinions.
"We wanted input and it will be a lengthy process. If we cannot come to an agreement it will not be a deal," assured McGee.
Village Solicitor Charlie Hall said village laws and regulations are stricter for these types of businesses than are township laws. Therefore, the landfill may be controlled better by being a part of the village.
Council member Nick Collin, suggested that council consider the opinions of those who spoke at the meeting and study the situation before making further decisions on the annexation. McGee agreed that there is no need to rush into an agreement at this time.
Collins made a motion to table both Ordinances: 2008-09 "To approve and enter into a pre-annexation agreement with Eslich Environmental Incorporated and Ordinance" and Ordinance 2008-10. "An Ordinance to include amendments to the East Canton Zoning Ordinance - 1993-015, and to specifically create definitions and general and specific regulation for operating a demolition materials site as a conditionally permitted use." His motion passed and the ordinances were tabled.
In other business, council:
* HEARD Mayor McGee report he will conduct interviews for new police offices within the next couple weeks;
* HEARD, in the park report, the new water fountains are expected to arrive next week; he graffiti on playground equipment needs to be removed; and the new gravel between the two parking lots is in place and working quite well;
* HEARD the mayor ask village coordinator John Shirley to attend the Stark Planning Commission/Ohio Department Of Transportation training on May 29; the mayor also asked all council members to attend, if they could;
* PAID invoices in the amount of $13,153.57 and payroll $10,620.07;
* ACCEPTED the March Treasury and bank reconciliation report by Fiscal Officer Barbara Hall and the water financial report prepared by service clerk Jackie Branch.
* HEARD the Mayor's Court report for April-- fines- $2,155; local cost- $945; state cost- $1,060; parking tickets--$5-- for a total of $4,165.00.