GIRARD — While many local communities are prohibiting or placing moratoriums on recreational marijuana facilities, officials in Girard say they welcome such establishments to the community.

Mayor Mark Zuppo said Monday he has received calls from companies that sell recreational mairjuana interested in locating in Girard.

“I have had 15 companies that have called me interested in coming to the city. The state of Ohio passed recreational marijuana. The only thing other communities have done is passed moratoriums to ban it. Girard is not planning to ban them,” Zuppo said.

Zuppo said he is aware of what other communities have done, but said he has looked into the matter and feels the money the city can receive from such businesses would be a plus. He said if such an establishment were to be located in Girard, it would be on a main route and there would be only one because there are rules about them having to be a certain amount of space apart.

“They have to be so far apart and we are a small town of four square miles,” he said.

Councilwoman-at-Large Lily Martuccio said the city now has an ordinance on the books allowing medical marijuana facilities. Council President Reynold Paolone said there is nothing on the books preventing recreational marijuana facilities from locating in Girard.

“I am behind the mayor 1,000%. We have open arms for this,” Paolone said.

He said there would be business coming from Pennsylvania, which prohibits such establishments. Paolone said because Girard is close to the state border, people would travel here from Pennsylvania to buy recreational marijuana.

Zuppo said the state is conducting a lottery for all the companies interested in providing recreational marijuana and those that will offer both recreational and medical.

“There is interest from these companies in Girard. We welcome them with open arms,” Zuppo said.

He said one of his goals is that such an establishment would generate enough revenue — with the city receiving a percentage — that the city would no longer need the speed cameras.

Zuppo said the state gets 10% of the total revenue and the city gets 35% of that.

Hubbard and Lordstown have passed legislation prohibiting recreational marijuana. Niles and Austintown are allowing one such facility in their communities in designated locations.

ROAD PROJECTS

In other business at Monday’s council meeting, Safety-Service Director Sal Ponzio said officials have been reviewing road paving projects for the year.

He said Park Avenue near Tod Park is estimated at $183,627, Moser Road at $74,000, and Hazel Street from Wellman to Elruth at $68,855.

“Park Avenue is a hugely used road by Tod Park. There are a lot of tournaments held at the park, which brings a lot of traffic,” Ponzio said.

He said if all three roads are done, it would cost more than $326,000.

Ponzio said if the city wants to stay under $200,000, he recommends Park Avenue be done.

Second Ward Councilman Mark Standohar recommended the city stay under $200,000 in paving and do Park Avenue since it is the most used and most in need of work.

Also, Treasurer Henry Sforza said he expects revenue from the speed cameras and income tax collections to be less by the end of the year compared to 2023 based on collections for the first half of year. Sfroza said with Rite Aid to close in August, it will mean $19,500 less per year in income tax.

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