BOARDMAN — Township trustees approved a 2024 operating budget of nearly $24 million at their meeting Monday.

Trustees also approved spending $10,899 with Crime Point Surveillance Solutions for a low-light surveillance camera and $26,258.30 for ammunition for the Boardman Police Department. The surveillance camera will replace a 15-year-old camera, according to Boardman police Chief Todd Werth, with newer and better technology. It will be used primarily for drug investigations, Werth said.

The appropriation for ammunition is for high quality “duty ammunition,” according to Werth. The police use older ammunition for training, so this is a revolving expense to provide police with adequate equipment on the streets, he said.

Monday’s meeting at the Boardman High School cafeteria began with a request from community member Paul Gillern, a district captain for the Ohio Convention of States Project, who asked the board to support the establishment of a states’ convention under Article 5 of the Constitution.

“This is a nonbinding resolution,” Gillern said.

The Ohio Convention of States is a grassroots organization that aims to increase states’ rights through a supermajority of states (at least 38 participating) that can approve constitutional amendments. The proposed state convention is a measure to ensure a balance of power between the federal government and the states, according to Gillern.

The board was given information by Gillern and thanked him for his comments.

Board members then moved to authorize Fiscal Officer William Leicht to endorse a liquor license for the Christmas Cafe on California Avenue. Authorization was approved in part, according to trustee Brad Calhoun, because the eatery is located in a “wet area,” or a location zoned for alcohol beverages to be sold.

Boardman’s operating budget will appear higher on some accounting documents because appropriations must be listed twice — first as a budget amount and second as an appropriation, according to Administrator Jason Loree. What might appear to be $29,929,384.81 on the accounting forms, Loree said, is only the original $23 million amount because of a $6 million appropriation to the Boardman Police Department.

Trustee Larry Moliterno praised the fire department for its work.

“There have been a lot of instances (in which the fire department had to respond),” Moliterno said, “and every single time that we have had one of these instances I am just more and more impressed with the professionalism of the department, how they handled the situation.”

Board members also praised the police officers for their work.

“We are appreciative of the cooperation with negotiations and very appreciative of what the police do each and every day,” Calhoun said.

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