School buses will pass through Perkins Park
By John Zornow

The Newark Village Board met Monday in the Municipal Building.

West Miller St. residents Mike and Ange DeJohn are among the village's many landlords faced with inspections of their apartments in connection with the village Multiple Housing Inspection Code.

Mrs. DeJohn asked what violations are being ticketed by inspectors. She was informed that such items as blocked doorways, chipped (lead-based) paint, and other items geared towards the health and safety of tenants are included. She was advised to contact the Code Enforcement Office for complete details. She added, 'We invested in Newark, and the quality of our tenants is dropping.'

DeJohn later grilled the board on Perkins Park issues, reiterating that she is not in favor of the new gazebo at the Elmwood Avenue entrance, and she wants the buses and teachers out of the park. 'To where?' asked Mayor Blandino, who added 'back onto west Miller Street?' The mayor said the village 'is not about to compromise the safety of children' by banning school buses from Perkins Park.

East Union Housing rehab nears completion - The mayor reported that the $3 to $4 million dollar housing rehab effort on East Union, performed with HUD grants and loans, is a success story. Blandino said there were still a few bad situations that spoil the total look of East Union, but that when the Rt. 31 construction is completed next year, residents will be proud of the way East Newark looks.

Village budget and FEMA money - Blandino announced that the 2004-2005 budget process is underway, with all departments asked to cooperate with the difficult tasks ahead. The mayor added that good news has been received, in the form of FEMA reimbursement money in connection with last April's ice storm. Following a thumbs-up by the Newark Planning Board, village trustees unanimously approved a waiver of sub-division for Erie Falcon Golf Club on Country Club Drive, to parcel off a portion of the golf links, until environmental issues can be handled.

Water Billing Snafu ends on positive note: Clerk/Treasurer John Trickey revealed that a glitch in the software water billing recently was discovered that resulted in seven of Newark's major water customers being undercharged for water usage. Trickey reported that notification of the customers has yielded positive results with three accounts already paid up to date. The remaining customers are in the process of making arrangements to pay. Blandino stressed that, by law, the village cannot forgive this type of payment obligation.

West Union St. lights - Operations Manager Jim Bridgeman reported that a meeting would take place Tuesday morning with all parties involved in the construction, installation, and wiring of the street lights in question. Lights in the 100 West Union block have been dark for months.

Ice skating weather - Bridgeman reported that three to four inches of ice exist at the DeMay Skate Park facility at the Alex Eligh Community Center on East Avenue. Benches have been put around the rink and skaters should call 331.2532 for skating times.

Bridgeman was given the go-ahead by village trustees to advertise for bids on 2004 mowing and dumpsters.

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