BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Boardman Township Trustees Larry Moliterno, Tom Costello and Brad Calhoun met on Monday night and spent about an hour responding to queries from four persons who asked questions concerning a storm water utility fee levied by the ABC (Austintown-Boardman-Canfield) Water District that appears on current property tax bills.
      The assessment, estimated between $36 to $56 annually on residential properties, will be used to address surface water drainage issues throughout Boardman, according to Township Administrator Jason Loree.
      The water district approved the utility fee last October with Boardman and Canfield voting in favor and Austintown abstaining.
      Paul Hershey, of 149 Sugarcane Dr., asked how the utility fee could be imposed without a vote of the people.
      Loree said the water district was created under provisions of the Ohio Revised Code that allows that district to collect fees for services it provides, adding that a water district can work on private property in an effort to address drainage issues.
      “Townships are not allowed to do that,” Loree said.
      Others who expressed similar concerns included Diann Cordova, 4904 Grover Dr.; Ed Dambick, 187 Green Bay Dr.; and Ralph Cook, 803 Presidential Dr.
      They were informed there will be a meeting of the water district on Wed., Mar. 20 at the Boardman Library at 2:00 p.m.; followed by an open house tentatively set for the same date at 7:00 p.m. at the library.
      According to the water district’s web site, “Townships are not allowed to spend tax dollars on private property to make improvements to storm water systems. This includes work within any water course, river, stream, and private property detention/retention pond. But water district can work on private property.”
      Funding that is collected form the storm water utility fee imposed on Boardman Township will stay within the community.
      According to the water district’s web site, projects considered for calendar year 2019 include:
       •Categorize over 5,000 catch basins and set-up a replacement/repair program.
       •Evaluate the existing storm sewer infrastructure and develop plans for the replacement of the piping network that is beyond its useful life.
       •Establish a street sweeping and ‘vac-truck’ plan for all streets in the township.
      Chris Menosky, of 8485 Crystal Dr., asked if the township could provide a reimbursement of $25 to repair his mailbox that was damaged by road crew during snow removal. His request was granted.
      Brandon Burke, of Homestead Dr., asked if he could pave a portion of his property with gravel to make more parking on the site.
      Marilyn Kenner, road superintendent, explained the township requires driveways and parking lots to be paved.
      In other matters, acting on the recommendation of Police Chief Todd Werth, trustees approved the purchase of $17,750 worth of pistol, rifle and shotgun ammunition for use in police training and authorized the purchase of five tasers, nine holster and five magazines at a cost of $5633.98 from Vance’s Law Enforcement in Obetz, Oh.
      Acting on the recommendation of the road superintendent, trustees approved the purchase of a plow blade at a cost of $7931.15 to replace aging, existing equipment.
      Trustees approved Atty. Matt Vansuch as legal counsel on matters of home rule authority and zoning; okayed a resolution for application to the Ohio Department of Transportation for a Safe Routes to School grant, and approved a mutual aid agreement between the Boardman Fire Dept. and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.