The matter of relocating Wally’s Paradise from Route 6 west of Linesville to West Center Road in the township was the major topic at the Conneaut Township Supervisors March meeting for a second month.

The March meeting of the Conneaut Township Board of Supervisors was opened and the Pledge of Allegiance said. Supervisors in attendance were Tim and George Greig. Supervisor Jake Lisbon was absent.

Secretary Telce McCann took the minutes and there were 10 concerned citizens present, along with a rep from one of the asphalt companies.

The two bids for MC-70 and E-3 were opened, won by SuitKote.

From there, the public had a chance to review the minutes for the February meeting. The motion carried unanimously to accept the minutes.

Next was a review of the expenditures and receipts; the motion also carried unanimously to accept these.

George Greig brought up the topic of the topless bar that Walter [Wally] Bolharsky would like to relocate to Center Road, within Conneaut Township. Bolharsky currently owns and operates "Wally’s Paradise," a BYOB topless bar located on Route 6, west out of Linesville, about 3 miles going toward the Ohio line.

It is Bolharsky’s intention to relocate the establishment to the Auction House/Train Depot on Center Road which is north and west of Linesville Borough, and to operate a topless bar and antique shop from there.

Citizens attended the March Board meeting to voice their opposition to this move.

However, Conneaut Township does not have Zoning Laws in place; therefore no public hearings will be held and no votes by a Zoning Board or the Supervisors will occur.

The Conneaut Township Board of Supervisors had sent a letter of inquiry to Mr. Steve Petrus, via the Township Solicitor, about the relocation of the business to a commercial establishment owned by Mr. Petrus.

The letter sought information from Mr. Petrus and Mr. Bolharsky about their intentions for uses of commercial facilities, and listed requirements found in the state’s new International Building Code..

Matters such as sewage facilities, electrical upgrades, handicapped access ramps, parking, and sprinkler systems that require inspections by a certified Code Official were some of the items mentioned in the letter.

It also mentioned impact on public health and safety of residents, and that residents have asked that the Supervisors to investigate "regulatory options that may exist and be adopted by the Township, to protect the citizens against a business that is regarded by a portion of township residents to have an adverse effect on the safety and welfare of citizens."

Wally Bolharsky responded with a letter of his own, read aloud by Secretary Telce McCann, for the public. Bolharsky was not present at the Board meeting.

In the letter, Bolharsky states that he has (purchased) the old Train Depot from Mr. Steve Petrus, and would the township please address all concerns to him, Bolharsky, in the future.

He said that the building has had many upgrades, including handicap access and ramps, marked fire exits and extinguishers, sewage and much outdoor and indoor lighting. His emphasis was that he is in complete compliance with new codes, complete with food license.

He also stated he felt that jobs would be created and that the new location would have less of a (negative social ) impact.

The letter alleges that the septic system has been inspected by Calvin Thayer.

Wally’s Paradise out at its Rt. 6 location has been open for 7 years.

George Greig then stated that township is not responsible for any building inspections and that since Bolharsky’s establishment is commercial with a commercial license to operate, it is the State’s responsibility to inspect the facility.

It is a former Auction House, but since the building will house a new business, it must be inspected under new code requirements.

A citizen asked about parking access off road. The Supervisors speculated that there may not be enough off road parking currently, and that would need to be addressed.

Someone asked whether Bolharsky would have to provide new architectural plans, since it would be considered a new business, while yet another citizen inquired whether they could contact the Bureau of Labor and Industry themselves with questions.

The answer was, possibly, on the architectural plans, and yes, on the contacting Labor and Industry.

Someone else noted that there has been activity at the train depot site.

When asked for thoughts or comments on the matter, Supervisor Tim Greig responded, "No comment at this time."

George Greig’s statement was, "Bolharsky must meet all code standards...if all requirements are met, there will be no stopping it. However, the township is(entitled) to limit its hours of operation."

He said that he is still receiving some phone calls from citizens wanting updates on the issue.

Greig then asked for public comment.

A woman stood and made the statement that she lives very close to the current location of Wally’s Paradise. She wanted her statements to be "published in the Community News paper and spread around the County and State, if possible."

She was very adamant that she was against the move and elaborated by saying that her yard has been destroyed and accidents have occurred in front of her house, allegedly caused by patrons leaving Wally’s Paradise. She further stated that her mailbox was stolen twice, a Federal violation, and that a large tree in her yard was hit, along with a concrete driveway marker.

She alleges that she could not get any names of drivers, that none of them had insurance, and that she has never been reimbursed for damages. The State Police were summoned, but did not respond.

She thought residents should hear "the other side of the story" about having such an establishment in their vicinity.

She alleges the patrons who frequent the place are from Ohio, that they leave intoxicated and have no insurance responsibility. She warned of the dangers to families from persons who drive drunk.

She concluded by saying that residents will not like what they see, once the bar is up and running.

Someone asked if Wally Bolharsky can be held financially liable for his patrons; no one knows for sure, as there is no liquor license in place. The bar will be a BYOB, with no license required.

The only 2 liquor licenses for Conneaut Township are currently in use.

Someone brought up the parking issue again, with adequate numbers of handicap parking spaces being directly proportionate to building patron capacity, all this being off road.

Both the topless bar and the antique shop will have to meet all current international code requirements.

George Greig then asked for any further comments from the public. Most of the comments would not be permissible to print in this family publication.

As of press time, Boharsky could not be reached for comment.

Moving on, stone quotes for road materials were discussed, with types of limestone and upcoming summer plans for the township. Piggyback qualifications were discussed briefly.

The Ordinance 2010-2, for Supervisor Meeting Compensation, was discussed, with due process moving along to implement the new pay increase. This to go into effect when newly elected or re-elected officials are sworn in for next term. The motion carried unanimously to implement Ordinance 2010-2. All newspaper ads have been placed, the final step being passage of said Ordinance.

The ordinance means supervisors will be paid at a $50 per meeting rate instead of the $40 rate now in effect. Again the rates will go into effect when the ordinance is passed and when new elections or re-elections occur. It would not change the rate for current supervisors at this time.

The truck loan was brought up, with consolidation of separate accounts. Secretary McCann was instructed to speak with the bank concerning this matter.

Township Clean-up Day will be held Saturday, May 15, 2010.

In other business, the County Ordinance Act 167, Storm Water Management, was discussed. This concerns a DEP law that will require management of run off water before building permits can be obtained. Larger buildings will require different permits, due to the large roof capacity and amount of run off during storms.

The county is suggesting land owners on slopes install small collection ponds to gather run off, along with water absorbing plants.

The timetable to implement this new initiative has been moved up, due to state funding issues.

Townships are required to adopt this Ordinance. They also have the option of forming their own Resolutions in accordance with DEP, which would then supercede the County’s Ordinance.

Next, the Earned Income Tax Collection System was brought up. Work continues in this state mandated law, with 57 volunteer reps from each township in Crawford County, along with 5 school districts.

A $5,000.00 grant will be available for townships to help with their expenses while implementing the new law. A Finance Committee has been formed, which includes business managers, along with a By Laws Committee, and Solicitors.

There will be quarterly meetings held in this long term endeavor, these to be held at west Mead Township Building, at no cost. Meetings are open to the public and are subject to Sunshine Laws.

Citizens are being urged to attend their local township Board meetings, as these new Earned Income Tax Laws will directly affect them in the near future.

For the Road Report, work will continue with curbing and cleaning, until wet weather sets in.

Tim Greig will be going to a Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Training Class.

The Supervisors asked for any further comment from the public. There being none, the motion carried unanimously to adjourn for the afternoon.

The Conneaut Township Supervisors meet every second Tuesday of the month at 5:00pm. The public is encouraged to attend.