6/14/2012 - West Side Leader
     

Richfield Village residents can learn about the “fracking” method of oil and gas drilling at a seminar July 18 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4410 W. Streetsboro Road.

Mayor Bobbie Beshara made the announcement at the June 5 Richfield Village Council meeting. Dale Arnold, of the Ohio Farmers Bureau, will speak at the seminar.

“This will be a good chance for residents and Council to learn about fracking and understand what it means,” Beshara said.

Councilman Ralph Waszak urged residents to attend the seminar if they are contemplating an oil and gas lease.

“You need to understand the impact on your property and adjoining properties,” he said.

Beshara also reminded residents that school is out and that drivers should be careful.

In other news:

• Police Chief Keith Morgan reported the two new police vehicles have arrived. The Service Department is preparing them for road use.

Safety Town will begin June 18 at Hillcrest Elementary School with morning and afternoon sessions, Morgan said. He noted that on the same day, the Everett Road bridge will be closed for 75 days.

• Acting Fire Chief Phil McLean reported the department fought a fire earlier in the day at a century home on Medina Line Road. The fire was contained on the upper floor, and two elderly residents escaped safely.

McLean also reported the fire department has been busy with training classes, and the new ambulance is still scheduled to arrive next month.

He also said the Richfield and Bath fire departments will walk through the Revere Local School District schools in August to make detailed medical-evacuation plans in the event of an emergency.

• Council President Mike Wheeler delivered a report from Service Director Melanie Baker. She mentioned that Cavanaugh Builders will work on the Carter Pedigo trail throughout the summer and should be finished by the end of August.

• Recreation Director Ruth Jocek reported the Farmers’ Market will take place in the center of town on Wednesdays during the summer from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Also, the parks department is sponsoring “Trucks, Trucks, Trucks” at Richfield Woods Park June 20 at 12:45 p.m. The police, fire and service departments will be there with their vehicles.

• Council voted to spend no more than $5,000 to rent tents, tables and chairs for Community Days, which will take place Aug. 10-12.

Also, Council approved the expense of up to $5,500 for the Community Days fireworks. Donations could offset the cost of both Community Days expenses, they said.

In addition, Council voted to waive the alcohol exemption at Richfield Woods Park for the Community Days festivities.

• Planning and Zoning Director Brian Frantz encouraged residents to cut their grass. He said the village has cited four property owners for letting it grow too tall.

• Finance Director Sandy Turk said income tax revenues came in 20 percent lower in May compared to the same month last year. Still, the village is running 6.9 percent ahead of last year’s overall total through five months, she said.

“Tax revenues usually decline over the second half of the year,” she said. “We should proceed cautiously because the growth could evaporate quickly.”

• Waszak said the Tree and Landscape Commission met May 24. The commission discussed invasive species and approved the landscaping for the Parker/Serdinak trail.

The next Tree and Landscape Commission meeting is scheduled for June 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

• Council Vice President Richard Hudak said the next meeting of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is scheduled for July 9 at 6:30 p.m.

The next Richfield Village Council meeting is scheduled for June 19 at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 4410 W. Streetsboro Road.

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