McDONALD — With nearby communities like Austintown, Lordstown and Niles having already taken action on guidelines for recreational marijuana dispensaries, village officials plan to begin talking about what should be on the books for McDonald.

Mayor Ray Lewis said at Wednesday’s council meeting he and police Lt. Ryan Ronghi, who is handling police chief duties, have briefly discussed the need to get something in place for the village.

“We want to move quickly on this,” Lewis said, adding other communities are either prohibiting recreational marijuana facilities or limiting the number and location for such establishments.

He said village zoning does not allow for medicinal marijuana facilities, but nothing is on the books for recreational adult-use, and something needs to be in place.

Lewis said the issue will be discussed by the safety committee and by council in July.

In other business, fire Chief Fred Marcum said a program is in place to inspect the condition of the village’s 160 fire hydrants to see if they are properly operating.

Village Administrator Thomas Domitrovich said the summer street department workers are painting the hydrants red so they are more noticeable.

Domitrovich said 25 of the hydrants so far have been painted. The project is to be completed by the end of summer.

He said six hydrants were found inoperable.

RIVER CORRIDOR

Lewis said he attended a recent meeting of the Mahoning River Corridor Mayor’s Association to meet with mayors from the Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties to discuss ways to use the riverbanks for greenspace or economic development.

“We will continue meeting on ideas and what opportunities will be available along the riverbank,” Lewis said.

He said it was suggested to see what can be done with the old U.S. Steel property in the village that is near the river.

FESTIVAL

Also, the 91st annual McDonald Firefighters Homecoming Festival is 6 to 11 p.m. nightly Wednesday, June 27, 28 and 29 at Woodland Park on Ohio Avenue.

Councilman Chad Jones said the festival has added a dunk tank, with Lewis and police officers to be in the tank. The tank will be at the festival Wednesday only.

The parade will be 6 p.m. Wednesday to begin the festival, which will include amusement rides, food, games and music. The 5K Run of the Mill race will be 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.

“It will be a fun event. Maybe the best one yet,” Jones said.

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