HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — With concerns about not enough funds to continue operating the police department, township trustees and officials are looking at ways to collect the $1.3 million in delinquent property taxes owed to the township and the Hubbard school district.

Trustee Fred Hanley said he was informed by the Trumbull County Auditor’s office there are $1.3 million in delinquent taxes owed to the township and the school district.

Zoning administrator Dennis Parsons said at the monthly trustees meeting that, for the last quarter of 2019, there was between $215,000 to $235,000 in delinquent taxes owed to just the township. He said some delinquencies go back more than 10 years.

Hanley said he was informed that some quarters in 2019 were near $275,000 owed.

Hanley said trustees had suggested posting in the windows of the township administration building the names of properties that owe back taxes of $1,000 or more on occupied land where there is a house or structure. This was met with mixed reviews from residents.

While some residents agreed the names should be made known and since the information is available online through public record or published in local newspapers, other residents felt people who have been unemployed or lost jobs or working to pay taxes on payment plan would be embarrassed.

Hanley said trustees have tabled for more review a final decision on whether to post names and addresses of properties at township hall.

“We are not sure what we will do. We are reviewing this,” Hanley said.

Resident Megan Evans said she does not support the idea of posting the names since there are residents who have lost jobs or been laid off from work who are trying the best they can.

Officials said they know the problem is not just Hubbard Township; many communities also also are not getting taxes.

“If we were even getting some of the taxes, that would help the police department. Any additional money would help,” Hanley said.

Trustees on Feb. 10 approved moving $60,000 from the general fund to cover police costs and payroll as the police fund had a $34,000 balance. Trustees have been covering police costs on a month-by-month basis by taking money from the general fund to cover police wages.

The state is doing a performance audit on the township police department. The trustees hope to have it back by March.

In another matter at the Feb. 10 meeting, several residents questioned trustees naming former Hubbard city police chief Raymond Moffitt, of Hubbard, as a consultant as negotiations with the township police department’s officers takes place on their next contract. Residents indicated a township resident should have been named.

Hubbard Township police Sgt. Ron Fusco said there were several township residents who could have served as the consultant. Fusco said the former chief won’t be talking to any union members.

Trustee chairman Tom Jacobs said Moffitt was selected for his many years experience in law enforcement including as a chief.

“We felt a former chief would be helpful in negotiations with the police. He knows the laws,” Jacobs said.

Don Newell, a member of Friends of Hubbard Township Police and former police officer, said he would have been willing to serve as a consultant.