WELLSVILLE — Wellsville Fire Chief Barry Podwel issued a warning during Tuesday’s Wellsville Village Council meeting.

Powdel said that he knows the village has a burning ordinance and there is no burning statewide. He said understands people try to have little fires, but his department has been out on two major fires on Monday and a major one for four days. He noted that he was getting phone calls on Monday from residents in Russell Heights concerned about the embers from the fires in Yellowcreek drifting into their area.

Podwel said in the past usually what he does when someone is having a fire is warn them and if they don’t put it out the department puts it out.

“I’m not warning anybody, I’m going to charge them,” Podwel said.

Podwel also brought up a topic formerly discussed on setting up a committee in the event of major catastrophe in the village. He previously brought this up after the East Palestine train derailment.

He made a trip to Asheville, North Carolina, two weeks ago and saw the damage from Hurricane Helene and noted that the city was a mess.

As a precautionary measure, he wants to establish a committee to look into what the village can do to pre-plan and be prepared in case of a catastrophic event in the village. He wants Mayor Bob Boley, Fiscal Officer Hoi Wah, Administrator Jeff Cope to be on the committee, and seek others from the state. He also wants to get with Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Peggy Clark for input.

Wah said that Village Administration meet with the Port Authority, the USDA, Buckeye Water District and OMEGA regarding the funding status of the Mariana Project for which the village has acquired $625,000 for in funding. She noted they were possibly going to apply for a CBDG Infrastructure for storm sewer grant hoping to get $750,000 for the dredging part of the marina since there is no funding secured for that yet.

The village is currently looking into the cost of docks for the marina.

Council member Aaron Smith suggested looking into bringing Russell Heights into the village and a discussion on annexation followed. Council member Keith Thorn, who also serves as chair of the Claims, Rules and Ordinance Committee will talk with Village Solicitor John Gamble on looking into the annexation of Russell Heights and other areas around the village.

Smith told Council there was a new sign ready to be installed at the cemetery. He also noted that a grant in the amount of $2,500 was received from Hancock Savings for Hammond Park.

An ordinance to increase appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the village was approved.

An ordinance limiting the use of intermodal shipping containers in the village was placed on second reading.

There was no one to speak during public portion.

Council approved the payment of bills totaling $16,674.63.

The Claims, Rules and Ordinance Committee will hold a joint meeting with the Property/Sewer Committee on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., in Council Chambers to discuss an ordinance for a building/housing inspector and building code.

Wellsville Village Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., in council chambers at Wellsville Village Hall. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9.