AUSTINTOWN — A longtime township employee is on the verge of retirement, and officials hope to find his replacement sooner rather than later.

In May, trustees introduced a proposal to standardize the retirement process and policies for some of the township’s administrative officers and noted fire Chief Andy Frost, police Chief Robert Gavalier and Zoning Inspector Darren Crivelli all are nearing the end of their tenures.

This week, the township posted a job description for a new zoning inspector.

Crivelli declined to comment, but township Administrator Mark D’Apolito said Crivelli was instrumental in helping to put the job description together.

“Darren has had an outstanding and respectable career in zoning, and we’re hoping he can pass that knowledge on to his successor,” D’Apolito said. “He’s operated as a department of one for a while, so we want him here to train someone because zoning is a unique skill set.”

He said Crivelli, 63, has not provided a specific date for his retirement. Crivelli has spent 29 years as a zoning inspector, beginning in Austintown, and then leaving for 10 years in 1999 to do the job in Boardman before returning in 2008. He said in May his plans are not certain yet, but he does not intend to work past 65.

D’Apolito said now is an ideal time in the township for a new inspector to get a start.

“With a lot of the projects we have going on, especially the Meijer store, we felt it was a very opportune time to start training a replacement,” he said.

He said ensuring zoning compliance for a project like the Meijer supercenter is a multiple-step process, and the project will include multiple phases.

D’Apolito also mentioned that Pilot has made an investment to expand its facility on state Route 46 near Interstate 80. Along with that, D’Apolito also said the township is expecting a change to the space currently occupied by Rite Aid.

The company reportedly announced plans to close most, if not all, stores in Ohio.

“We’re sad to see them go, but we’re excited for the redevelopment of what has been a very high-traffic parcel here in Mahoning County,” D’Apolito said.

D’Apolito said the job posting notes the position is open until filled and completing the hiring will depend entirely on the applicants the township receives.

“It’s going to need to be a unique individual to replace Darren,” he said. “We have a very lean and efficient zoning office, and we would like to maintain that.”

D’Apolito added that Austintown hopes to bring in an assistant at some point. Crivelli had an assistant for several years, but that person left during the pandemic and the position was never filled because Crivelli was comfortable doing the job on his own.

In recent months, the township received a proposal to fill part of the vacant JCPenney space in Austintown Plaza with an opioid treatment center operated by a Maryland company.

The company ultimately withdrew its bid, citing unforeseen financial burdens, but not before the zoning board of appeals approved the project, and Crivelli was required by law to sign the permit.

During a trustees meeting, Crivelli bore the brunt of criticism from irate residents who did not want the clinic in the plaza or near some of their homes.

Earlier this month, Crivelli proposed an amendment to the township zoning ordinance, and a map, outlining where Austintown would allow a recreational marijuana dispensary to open up. The location will have to be somewhere along Route 46, near I-80. Trustees approved the amendment.

During the presentation, Crivelli advised trustees they could expect some questions from the media and some blowback from residents, and he directed them to refrain from responding and refer all questions to him.

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