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Austintown trustees approve license-plate readers, nuisance abatements and two November levies
Summary
The Board of Trustees approved purchase of six license-plate readers, adopted a nuisance-abatement resolution naming nearly 40 properties, approved two levies to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, accepted an AARP grant and declared surplus vehicles for auction.
The Board of Trustees of Austintown Township met June 1 and approved a series of administrative and operational actions, including the purchase of license-plate reader units and a large nuisance-abatement resolution.
Vice-Chairperson Monica Deavers opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and trustees unanimously present (Deavers and Trustee Bruce Shepas; Trustee Robert Santos was absent) approved routine minutes. During public comment residents raised concerns about stormwater, raw-sewage in a neighborhood and whether homeowners would be responsible for curb repairs after snow-plow damage.
On formal actions, trustees approved an MOU with vendor Flock to buy six license-plate reader units for $18,000 and a three-year contract totaling $54,000. The board also adopted Resolution #26-06-01-05 declaring a list of properties public nuisances under Ohio Revised Code 505.87 for violations such as high grass and junk and ordered owners to abate within seven days (four days for repeat violations) or face Township abatement and a minimum $500 lien.
Fiscal actions included approval to place two levies on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot — one for maintaining senior services and facilities and one for parks and recreation — and acceptance of an $11,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant for the Senior Center. Trustees also approved a Medical Mutual life insurance renewal and declared multiple police and road vehicles and heavy equipment surplus to be sold via internet auction.
Administrative and personnel actions included the appointment of a part-time lieutenant in the Fire Department, adjustments to effective dates for another firefighter’s resignation and rehire, and a post-meeting vote to move Samantha Bell to a Road & Park administrative assistant role following executive session.
The meeting included reports from department heads: the Road Department said paving is complete and some sidewalks are being repoured; Parks listed upcoming events; and Police and Fire chiefs presented monthly statistics and noted pending grant applications. The board recessed to executive session at 6:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:30 p.m., then adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Votes at a glance: All recorded roll-call motions in the meeting passed with Deavers and Shepas voting yes and Santos recorded absent unless otherwise noted.
Notable recorded resolutions (motion text abbreviated): - RES 26-06-01-01: Approve minutes (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-02: Approve MOU with Flock — purchase six LPRs for $18,000; three-year $54,000 (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-03: Allocate 20% of Police Chief salary to dispatch costs (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-04: Fire Dept personnel adjustments and appointment of Brandon O’Hara (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-05: Adopt nuisance resolution under Ohio Rev. Code §505.87 ordering abatement or Township-initiated removal with minimum $500 lien (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-06: Acquire deed for vacant Fox Chase lot (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-07: Accept AARP Community Challenge Grant $11,000 (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-08 & 09: Place levies for Senior Services and Parks & Recreation on Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (Deavers/Shepas motions). - RES 26-06-01-10/11/12: No objection to three liquor permit notices (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-13: Approve Medical Mutual life insurance renewal (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-14: Declare listed vehicles/equipment surplus (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-15/16/17: Recess to executive session, reconvene, and move Samantha Bell to administrative assistant role (Shepas moved; Deavers seconded). - RES 26-06-01-18: Adjourn (Deavers moved; Shepas seconded).
The board noted it has notified the Ohio EPA and the county health department about a reported sewage issue and is working with state and local agencies to resolve neighborhood health and drainage concerns. The trustees plan follow-up through department staff and future agenda items as needed.
