Newark Village Board meets
By John Zornow

The Newark Village Board met Tuesday with Mayor Fred Pirelli, Trustees Pete Blandino and Norm VanDemortel present. Absent were Trustees John Palermo and Tony Virts.

Veterinarian Rebecca Skinner was given board approval to complete an EPA study on the land that she plans to purchase in the Industrial Park.

The board learned that subject to some last minute details, the village is ready to close on the sale of Industrial Park land to the Arcadia Fitness Center.

Cub Scouts, Den 10, visited the meeting with their leader Roberta Colacino. Several Cubs went to the microphone and asked questions of the Mayor and Trustees.

In public comment, Ange DeJohn expressed disappointment about the loss of a third village clerk in just a few years. She suggested to the board that there is obviously a problem, and asked why they don't fix it.

DeJohn also asked why the village was allowing the school district to make a "curb cut" in front of the West Miller St. school. DeJohn's concern is due to the amount of traffic that goes by the school. Pirelli told DeJohn that the matter was the jurisdiction of the School Board and that she should speak to them.

Resident James J. Colacino, who is a candidate for village trustee, scolded Mayor Pirelli for "brushing off" DeJohn's concern. Police Chief Richard Bogan interjected that the pull-off was part of a proposed safety plan that included elimination of the crossing and strict enforcement of 15 MPH speed limit in the school zone. Bogan reminded DeJohn that five children have been involved in mishaps there.

"It smells like Urban Renewal." This was Mayor Pirelli's comment about a preliminary proposal to pursue a HUD Grant to change the face of East Union St. Sewer and Water Manager Jim Bridgeman spoke of what could be done on East Union, if HUD money were available and the area between Vienna St. and Blue Cut Rd. were re-zoned. Pirelli instructed Bridgeman to talk to some local developers to see if there is any commercial value to the plan before any other studies are done.

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