Norton council approves traffic signals, guardrail repairs, heavy equipment, zoning update and July drone show

The Norton City Council on March 2 approved a series of purchase contracts and service agreements to support public-safety infrastructure, equipment replacement and a summer community event.

At the start of the new-business agenda the council approved purchasing two portable traffic-signal systems for the service department. The council noted a $40,000 grant identified in the transcript as from the "Bureau of Workman's comp," with the total project cost clarified as $58,000. The motion to award the purchase for an amount not to exceed $58,000 carried on a recorded roll call with Mayor Zita, Mr. Roar, Miss Keener and Mr. Herbert voting yes and one member excused.

Council members then approved two guardrail-related repairs. The first covered replacement and installation of damaged guardrail at State Route 585 north to Ohio 21 north in an amount not to exceed $7,455; the council discussed that no insurance payment was expected for the item and that $25,000 had been budgeted for guardrail repairs. The second covered a damaged impact attenuator at State Route 585 eastbound to State Route 21 southbound, approved for an amount not to exceed $8,895; members said restitution from a responsible party was still pending.

The council also approved the purchase of a 2025 Case front-end loader through a cooperative purchasing program. The council recorded that the equipment came in under the $260,000 amount budgeted for the year. The amount transcribed in the motion was garbled in the recording; the council approved the purchase as presented in the motion.

In another notable contract, the council awarded up to $90,000 to OM to facilitate an update to the city's zoning code. Members noted the comprehensive plan OM completed last year and discussed that some zoning code provisions date back to 1988. One councilmember reported that a steering-committee participant expressed dissatisfaction with how some suggestions were handled during the comprehensive-plan process; council members nevertheless expressed a preference for continuity with OM to maintain consistency.

The council approved a contract for a drone-and-fireworks show for the summer concert series on July 25 for an amount not to exceed $18,500. The item was presented as part of the city's bicentennial/250th celebration. The vendor name is transcribed in different places as "Razie Incorporated" and "Rozi, Inc."; the agenda item as read at the meeting yielded approval.

The council accepted the minutes for Feb. 17, 2026, as submitted and adjourned at 6:12 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Portable traffic-signal systems: approved. Recorded votes: Mayor Zita — yes; Mr. Roar — yes; Miss Keener — yes; Mr. Herbert — yes; Mr. Dearart — excused. - Guardrail replacement (SR‑585 north to Ohio 21 north): approved (same recorded votes). - Guardrail impact attenuator (SR‑585 eastbound to SR‑21 southbound): approved (same recorded votes). - 2025 Case front-end loader purchase: approved (same recorded votes). - Zoning code update (OM contract, not to exceed $90,000): approved (same recorded votes). - Drone and fireworks show (July 25, not to exceed $18,500): approved (same recorded votes). - Minutes for Feb. 17, 2026: accepted as submitted.

Context and next steps Several items were noted as dependent on outside funding or restitution: the traffic-signal purchase relies in part on a $40,000 grant as transcribed; at least two guardrail repairs were said to be unlikely to receive insurance recovery. One councilmember said they will request an appropriation amendment to increase the guardrail-repair line item; the council did not set final details for that amendment at this meeting. The zoning code update proceeds with OM; staff will return with implementation steps as the project advances.