CANFIELD — Township resident Darlene MacBenn addressed Canfield City Council this week about her ongoing request for water and sewer.

She seeks the service for city lots 7185 and 7195 on U.S. Route 224 west of the city. MacBenn’s property is the second property in the township from the city limits.

It cannot be annexed into the city, however, as there is one other property between hers and the city line. If she were to be annexed, it would make that one property an island and that is not permitted.

“We have owned the property for 40 years,” she said. “We don’t want to hire an attorney. We would rather solve this problem without litigation.”

She said her property is actually four lots. Three properties border Route 224, and the fourth is city property.

“That back lot was included with the Hunter’s Woods development when it was annexed into the city,” said Councilman Chuck Tieche, who was city manager at that time.

Tieche said he doesn’t know why that one lot was included.

Millennial Moments Joint Economic Development District was formed a few years ago with an agreement for the city to bring water and sewer to the property and collect city income tax from residents and people who work in the JEDD. In exchange, the property would stay in the township.

The MacBenn property stands alone, but has that waterline running across the road from the property, and the sewer line runs across the front.

Chuck Colucci, police chief and acting city manager, told MacBenn: “So here is where we are at. You’re going to need an attorney. The city attorney (Mark Fortunato) can work with your attorney to resolve this problem, but he cannot work for both the city and you.”

Nothing more was said and MacBenn left the meeting early, still with nothing resolved.

TRAFFIC LIGHT

Council had a brief discussion over the traffic light at Lisbon and Wadsworth streets. Some would like to see it on flasher.

“A neighbor asked me about turning the traffic signal on U.S. 62 (Lisbon Street) from working to flashing,” Tieche said.

He said there was some discussion about it last year and part of that discussion was concern over people running a red signal if it were switched back and forth.

Public Works Superintendent John Rapp said the city does control that traffic light on a U.S. route. The reason it was not alternated with flashing when school was out, he said, was it caused accidents. He said people would get used to seeing the flashing and may think the light is changing, thus running a red light.

Mayor Don Dragish said: “In my opinion, the light should move to flashing after 9 p.m. through the overnight hours.”

Also considered was leaving the light on flashing through the summer months, but the concern was that motorists would get used to that and would not be ready for the light to be activated as school started.

Colucci said he would talk with his traffic officers and look into changing it.

Council approval was given for the acting city manager to enter an agreement with Z-Tech Builders and Excavators for the Indian Lake Water Main Replacement not to exceed $320,300.

Council unanimously approved naming Lex Calder as the exempt person (from term limits) on the park and recreation board.

Council approved naming Colucci as acting city manager until December, with a $2,500 per pay stipend to serve as acting manager and police chief while the search continues for a new manager.

Council approved in a 4-1 vote the application with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control for an F1 and F2 permit. The permit would allow the sales of alcohol for a specific day. The permits would be for the Sept. 9 Fall Fast and the Sept. 21 Family Fun Night.