Residents urge Conneaut Council to oppose local ICE contracts, restrict brine use and scrutinize development

Several residents used the Feb. 23 public-comment period to press Conneaut City Council on immigration-enforcement contracts, environmental impacts from brine road treatments, proposed poultry regulations, and potential data-center development.

Immigration enforcement: Sarah Brower and other residents asked Council to adopt an ordinance or resolution signaling that Conneaut will not enter into 287(g) agreements that deputize local officers to perform immigration-enforcement duties. Brower warned such contracts can lead to “widespread harassment” and asserted constitutional and due-process concerns; Gallo, identifying as a nurse practitioner, urged an early municipal stance and said she had emailed a proposed ordinance. Council President Mr. Moisio responded that the law department would draft any legislation and said the City "would not put our police officers in a position to violate federal law," adding that the issue should be analyzed carefully.

Brine and environmental concerns: Multiple speakers urged the City to stop using oil-and-gas-derived brine on rural roads. Beth Bracale told Council the brine used for dust control "contains heavy metals - lead, arsenic, barium and mercury, and radium," and referenced testimony filed on SB 329 and studies she said came from the Ohio Department of Health and Department of Natural Resources. Julia Barton and others asked the City to discontinue brine treatments and cited ODOT and the Ohio Turnpike's decisions to stop certain de-icers derived from oil-and-gas waste.

Data centers and land-use safeguards: Jennifer Simpson said Ohio is among the fastest-growing states for data-center construction and argued Conneaut should adopt clear land-use rules before a proposal arrives, to avoid an incomplete industrial site and to maximize community benefits if development proceeds. She recommended a public process or committee and told Council, "if the City does go that route, the City should squeeze every bit of benefit from the project."

Poultry regulations and processing: Susan Ferritto presented recommended edits to Ordinance No. 12-26 (poultry/fowl), with specific suggestions on setback distances, coop sizing, maximum flock size and fencing, and raised questions about a separate measure (Ordinance No. 134-25) that temporarily waived a sanitary sewer tap-in fee for a proposed poultry-processing plant at 1013 Chamberlain Blvd.; she asked which zoning/statutory authority was used, how inspections and offal disposal would be handled and whether the owners hold required licenses.

Council did not take immediate legislative action on these requests; the public hearing on Ordinance No. 12-26 was scheduled for March 9, 2026, and Council directed the law department to review any draft ordinance regarding ICE-related contracts. Residents said they would follow up with written drafts and requested ongoing dialogue.