Staff photo / J. T. Whitehouse Western Reserve Joint Fire District fire Chief David “Chip” Comstock displayed a slide showing the proposed addition to Station 93 as the department continues to grow its services while attracting good people. He made the presentation during Wednesday’s Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber’s Good Evening Poland event.

POLAND — The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber’s Good Evening Poland event Wednesday featured several updates on projects already underwaynd those coming next year.

Featured were the schools, township, Celebrate Poland, Western Reserve Joint Fire District and the public library.

AQUA OHIO

First at the microphone was Aqua Ohio’s Struthers Division Area Manager Jennifer Johnson. She spoke on Aqua’s history and recent projects before turning the focus on next year.

“We will have $40 million for capital investment in 2026-29,” she said. “We will also be starting a three- to five-year program to replace lead water lines and will be looking at upgrading the Lake Hamilton spillway.”

POLAND SCHOOLS

Next was Poland Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Maria Hoffmaster. She said for approximately 15 years, Poland’s class sizes have been diminishing. Some classes had fewer than 100 students, but the district seems to be jumping back with class sizes going up to approximately 150.

“Our preschool program went from three classes to five,” she said. “Our security has also seen improvement thanks to the partnership with Poland Village and Poland Township.”

She SAID the district now has 100 high definition cameras in the schools, along with four Flock license plate readers that can identify vehicles. Combined with three school resource officers and the Raptor scanning system, Hoffmaster said the schools have stepped up the level of safety for its students.

CELEBRATE POLAND

Cindy Best, representing Celebrate Poland, spoke on the need for support for next year’s event. The two-day community celebration will be in its 20th year in 2026 as well as taking part in America’s 250th birthday.

“Money is always our biggest hurdle,” Best said. “We need financial support as everything costs so much.”

She said portable restrooms cost $7,000 for the two days. Fireworks have been running around $15,000. She asked people to support the event and to take part in the upcoming Nov. 26 pie sale. Information will be on the organization’s Facebook page soon.

LIBRARY

Speaking as a representative of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County was Chief Operating Officer Jordan Shaver. He ran through a timeline dating back to 2022 when the brick pavers were replaced with concrete at the Poland branch. He said it was on May 20 that the library trustees decided to explore options, including relocating the library.

“The assessments are still going on today,” he said.

He said those assessments still include looking into relocation, but he did close his talk with a big thanks.

“This is my library,” he said. “I grew up on Cortland Street and my family and I still ride bikes to it. I want to thank everyone for caring so deeply about our library.”

FIRE DISTRICT

Western Reserve Joint Fire District Chief David “Chip” Comstock was next to the podium. He started out by showing a photo of the community’s first fire truck, which he said cost $150.

“Our newest engine cost us $715,000,” he said.

He talked about the district opening up ambulance service to deal with long waits in the township. Today, he said, the district has four ambulances providing Poland residents with a faster response time.

Having four ambulances and an increased need for personnel led Comstock to reveal the artist’s rendering of the proposed addition to Station 92 near Dobbins Elementary School.

“We are looking at adding six bunk rooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchen / dining area,” he said.

The addition would make for better facilities for fire fighters / EMTs who are working shifts at the station.

“We estimate it will cost around $3.5 million to $6 million,” Comstock said. “We have sold some of our extra fire vehicles to save money and help afford the new addition. We think we can make it happen without going back to the taxpayers.”

ED KEMPERS

Closing out the event was Poland Township Trustee Ed Kempers. He bragged about the community being declared the fifth safest community in Ohio.

“We love for our people to feel safe,” he said. “In closing I just want to say Poland Township has passed a resolution to support keeping our Poland Library branch.”