CANFIELD — City Council heard from two residents during public comments at Wednesday’s council meeting, including one who spoke on rifle storage and the other on outside storage.

Harry Dampf from the local chapter of the Tri-State Marine Corps League Detachment 494 served on the League’s Honor Guard, which presents a 21-gun salute, plays taps and folds flags at veteran burials. Dampf said for years, the League stored the M1 rifles at the Struthers Police Department. The honor guard would go to the police station and prep the rifles for the veteran burial ceremonies.

In 2002, he said most of the Honor Guard members were centered around Canfield, and the Canfield Police Department welcomed the league to store its ceremonial rifles.

The move was made that year and the storage remained at Canfield until this year.

“The rifles were moved from Canfield three weeks ago,” Dampf said. “Mainly for convenience.”

He said the Honor Guard members are from different areas now, so the rifles were moved to a more common area for all to best access them. For security, Dampf did not disclose the new storage location.

“It is estimated that since 1982, we have participated in over 3,000 memorial services,” he said. “We are one of the few groups that can do a full 21-gun salute, provide taps and fold the flag to be given to a loved one. I just wanted to thank Canfield police and the city for allowing us to store our rifles here.”

He said Assistant Chief Scott Weamer said they are always welcome back.

OUTDOOR STORAGE

The second person to address council also was focused on storage — but of a different nature. Ken Cerimele owns the storage facility at 530 W. Main St. It is an indoor storage facility, but since late 2024, Cerimele has been trying to get outdoor storage so he can expand his business. He originally wanted to store boats, campers and RVs, but has not yet been approved.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Cerimele told council he has an opportunity to provide Pods rentals, but needs permission to store them at his West Main Street site.

The Pods would be 8 feet by 8 feet, 8 feet by 12 feet and 8 feet by 16 feet in size. They would be white stored in his back area. The Pods would be empty and specially designed trucks would move them to locations when rented.

“There would be 100 Pods to start,” he said.

Attorney Mark Fortunato said Cerimele would have to go through the process, which means legislation brought before council, presented to the design review board, a public hearing and then final approval. He told Cerimele he would be looking at May for the final approval.

“If it’s that late, I may lose the opportunity,” Cerimele said.

Fortunato said approval for the Pods has to go through the proper route. He told Cerimele to talk to the Pod company and inform them of the process and it may wait.

Council members all agreed to get the ball rolling and Council President Christine Oliver asked Fortunato to move forward with putting some legislation together on Cerimele’s request. The issue will be presented at the first April meeting.

POWER SURGE

On a different matter, City Manager Dave D’Apolito informed council the recent strong winds had cut power to the water tank pumps, and the tank levels were dropping. He said the power surge fried the pump computers.

He thanked the Public Works Department for responding quickly and being able to rig a temporary fix to get the pumps running again.

“Had they not responded and made the quick fix, the city could have run out of water,” D’Apolito said.

In other business, council:

● Asked for legislation on Airbnb regulations to consider and discuss at a future meeting.

● Heard from Public Works Supervisor John Rapp that stick and brush pickup will begin April 6 in Quadrant 1. The full schedule will be posted on the city’s website along with the streets involved.

● Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to apply for and accept entering into an agreement with A Water Supply Revolving Loan Account for the C.H. Campbell Elementary Water Service Improvement Project.

● Approved the appointment of Chad Hawks to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028.

D’Apolito added that an opening on the Parks and Recreation Board still needs to be filled. Applications are available on the city’s website.