WELLSVILLE — Nuisance properties will be coming down once the weather breaks.

Mayor Bob Boley told council members during their meeting Tuesday that the Columbiana County land bank should begin demolition on some of the nuisance properties in the village when the weather starts warming up.

Boley said they needed to go after other property owners whose properties are unsafe.

It was noted that some of the property owners have purchased the homes online for only a couple thousand dollars and have not even seen them. One house on 10th Street was purchased five years ago online by a person who lives in Japan.

Village Solicitor Chris Weeda asked for a list of all the nuisance properties in the village and said once the owners are notified that they have until a certain date to due something with the properties. If they fail to do so they can be brought before common pleas court for legal action.

Fire Chief Barry Podwel requested and was given council approval to hire a new full-time firefighter since he is losing one at the end of March.

Podwel asked why the safety committee decided to not put the change in dispatch through to council for a vote and that he didn’t understand why if his department has the money to pay for it.

Councilmember Aaron Smith said it was because of a ripple effect where if the fire department were to switch, the police department would have to switch, and he doesn’t know if the village can afford that. Smith also noted it’s not a decision they want to make until after November because they don’t know what could possibly happen with property taxes. He also said it was due to the cost of equipment, such as the repeaters that would be needed.

Podwel said that he was not giving up and would remain persistent in getting dispatch switched to the county 911. Boley responded, telling Podwel that he was doing his job by doing that.

Smith said the village is looking into other options that may help, but did not go into further details on it.

Fiscal Officer Hoi Way Yu said she contacted OMEGA and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation because they have funding for dispatching, and she wanted to see what was available.

Village Administrator Jeff Cope said he talked to the owner of the Car Wash and he may have several solutions for the drainage ditch that is causing problems with cars leaving, pulling in and out of the car wash.

Cope also said he has been talking with Thompson Electrical out of Akron regarding the traffic lights and was told a brand-new traffic light box would cost $17,000. Cope said the company does sell some used equipment and that even though the items are used, they would still be new to the village since so much of the village traffic light system is out of date and the used equipment would be significantly lower in price. He anticipates having estimates by Monday.

Cope also reminded residents that clean up at the cemetery will begin soon including removal of all Christmas decorations and engraved blankets. Residents have until March 13 to remove the items they want.

Boley in is report said that he received a request from the family of Martin Lee to have an unnamed road located near the area where the Kinney Center once stood to be named after him. Council with an all-in-favor vote gave the approval to name the road General Martin Lee Road.

Smith brought up the matter regarding the bill still owed to Diamondback Disposal and suggested council discuss a way to resolve the matter. Diamondback is willing to pay the village the $1,500 owed for being allowed to operate in the village. The village has been billed over $2,000 for their services in hauling debris from the deconstructed church.

Zoning Officer Rick Williams reminded residents and contractors to come to village hall to obtain all required permits

Resolutions to adopt the Columbiana County Hazard Mitigation Plan and to authorize the mayor or fiscal officer to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and Local Transportation Improvement programs.

Two pieces of legislation to authorize the village administrator to advertise and receive bids for lease of real property in the village and to establish wages for the village volunteer firefighters were placed on second reading.

Bills totaling $106.08 were approved for payment.

The Wellsville Village Council meets the first and third Tuesday of month at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Wellsville Village Hall, 1200 Main St. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 17.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com