Headlines for May 11, 2015

Notice

David Schaef update: (12/05/23)

I spoke with David yesterday. He had just arrived at the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Erie.

There are still a couple of issues to resolve, and David is optimistic that Encompass has the skills. We didn't speak much of medicine and health, most of the conversation was about our subscribers and the Community News newspaper.

I was much encouraged by the tone of his voice and the idea he was interested in talking about Community News. So, he’s at that, “I want to get back to work” stage of healing.

He talked about his subscribers and a letter he is composing for them. He talked about how to proceed with the newspaper when he gets home.

He said he hopes to be home in 2 weeks.

Thank You all for your Love and Prayers and Well Wishes.
Tom Deighton

School district to approve a no tax increase budget
Written by David Schaef

The Conneaut School Board of Directors is expected to approve a no tax increase budget for the year to begin July 1, when directors meet in voting session Wednesday evening.

The board, with 8 in attendance at its work session on May 6, Don Ellis, Jr., absent due to illness, listened to a presentation by district business manager Kara Onorato explaining the budget process to date that included five budget committee meetings since February 23 reviewing costs and budget requests, and administrative meetings asking department heads and principals to seek cuts in all budget areas. An additional meeting is set for today, Monday, for more review by budget committee members Jody Sperry, Dot Luckock, and David Schaef along with Onorato and Conneaut Schools Superintendent Jarrin Sperry with focus being on transportation.

The proposed budget calls for revenues of $35,415,323, up $174,447 over the current budget while expenses are pegged at $37,032,267, an increase of $1,644,872 over the current year.

Increases for the upcoming year include retirement/pension costs - a state wide problem - going up by $597,237, as the required state rate goes from 21.4% to 25.84%.

Read more in this weeks issue.

Linesville makes Pachuk building payment
Written by David Schaef

Meeting in special session on Tuesday, May 5, Linesville Borough Council with 5 members present, council persons Randy Kovisto and Holly Miller absent as well as Mayor Barry Chapin, council voted to pay $70,200 towards the demolition of the Pachuk Building on its main street which has had the debris hauled away, the lot filled and work being done on two damaged windows on the house to the back of the building, along with siding repair up into the second floor, and sidewalk repairs being done, both along side the building on North Mercer Street, and in front on Erie Street.

A problem with the well that sat between the building and former gas station was noted. The 105 foot well [from the basement floor], despite a report elsewhere that a well was discovered, the well was known to be there throughout the process, and had not been capped and sealed previously, was filled in during the process overseen by a certified well inspector.

Some gas was smelled in the area but working with reps from County Fair/United Refinery, the matter was taken care by completing filling in the well casing with a limestone/gravel type material that fills in and absorbs water - according to DEP regulations.

Laura Deal made motion to pay the $70,200 with Deal, Kevin McGrath, Mike Heaney, and Tom Deighton voting yes, and Randy Uplinger casting a no vote.