Township Trustees

Matthew Vansuch	James Saker	Rick Clark
Trustee Vice Chair	Trustee	Trustee Chair
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Howland Township continues to be a community of which we can all be proud. Like many of you, the past few years have presented us with many challenges. But everyone has been working hard to build a better Howland while living within our means.

Concerned residents ask us everyday how the Township is doing. The answer is “better than most.” While other communities are laying off employees, cutting services, and asking for tax increases, we continue to balance our budget while maintaining the quality services that we have come to expect, all without having asked for additional property millage since 1988.

The 2011 budget is $11,573,000, with $2.8m carrying over from last year. This enabled us to pay all of our bills at the start of the year before we received any disbursements from the county auditor. Our new fiscal officer Robert Costello and his assistant Vivian McDowell diligently work to manage our cash-on-hand and ensure that all financial records are in order. They are to be commended for another clean audit with no findings.

Next year, we will more than likely see our revenue from property taxes decline because of the six-year property valuation. The state estate tax disappears after 2012. The phase-out of the tangible personal property tax will significantly impact every department. (Click for Details: Reductions in State Funding to Howland Township and Loss of TPP Tax Reimbursement by Each Department)

Some of this past year’s accomplishments include: paving 4 miles of road in 2010 (including Howland-Wilson in cooperation with the county engineer) and several more (including Henn-Hyde) this year; completing Phase II and starting Phase III of the Venice Heights watershed improvement projects to alleviate flooding problems; purchasing 2 new ambulances; receiving a fully-funded transportation enhancement grant for gateway improvements at the State Route 82 and 46 intersection; saving $50,000 on leak pick-up through our successful participation in Allied Waste’s curbside recycling program; seeing 30 blighted homes demolished through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program; and finalizing a Safe Routes to School plan to help our children safely get to school.

After interviewing inside and outside candidates, we named 14-year veteran captain Jim Pantalone as our new fire chief to replace George Brown, who left for Boardman Township.

We continue to provide spring and fall branch pick-up, mosquito spraying, scrap tire removal, Christmas tree pick-up, help fund the economic development director at the port authority, and, in conjunction with the school district and our police department, fund a school resource officer.

The farmers market has become a Saturday morning institution for many residents; it is so popular that it will continue once a month during the winter at the Senior Center. We have tilled more plots in the community garden, and Girl Scout Troop 598 delivers our gardeners’ extra vegetables to those in need.

We continue to engage with local businesses and local governments. Our administrator Darlene St. George serves as a director of the newly formed Trumbull County land bank, which is one tool that we can use to preserve and protect our neighborhoods from blight. Over a dozen more blighted properties have been submitted to the county for the next round of NSP funding. We worked closely with Congressman Ryan and state and local officials to facilitate the demolition and sale of the Delphi buildings on North River Road, potentially leading to 200 new jobs. Additionally, we worked with the mayor of Warren and senior management at Severstal Steel to address their concerns and to retain jobs at the mill.

None of this can happen without the tremendous cooperation of our employees. By staying healthy, avoiding workers compensation claims, and not filing grievances, they have helped keep our BWC premiums, health insurance costs, and other costs in check, all while freezing their pay for the past four years. They have embraced the mantra that we must do more with less. All of this demonstrates their appreciation and respect for our residents.

Our new comprehensive plan guides our everyday decisions and our long-term goals. The zoning commission members continue to review and consider changes to our zoning code to bring it in line with the plan. We thank them and the members of the board of zoning appeals for stepping up and working for our community’s betterment.

As always, our goal is for you to receive exceptional public service at an affordable price. We will continue to wisely manage and utilize the financial and physical resources of Howland Township and promote policies and programs which will assure the long term health and vitality of the community. That is what you have come to expect from us, and that is the course that we intend to follow.

Sincerely,

Rick Clark, Sally Wehmer, and Matthew Vansuch

September 2011

Our continued goals:

• Address major flooding and water runoff problems in the Township.
• Fiscal Integrity
• Continue to improve "Quality of Life" for our residents.
• Continue to work with O.D.O.T., Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and Trumbull County officials to provide a safe traveling environment for our community.
• Continue to stimulate economic development in the Golden Triangle and other areas of the Township.

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Schedule:

2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 6 pm
4th Wednesday of the Month @ 4 pm

Click Here for an Historical Listing of Howland Township Officials