Canfield council prohibits horizontal drilling in city limits

Inside city limits ban prompted by various issues with fiber optics companies

CANFIELD -- City council passed an ordinance Wednesday that will prohibit horizontal drilling in city limits.

Council President Christine Oliver asked city attorney Mark Fortunato to explain the ordinance.

"We've had a struggle with fiber optics installers," Fortunato said. "Under the Federal Communications Act, local authorities are limited to what they can and can't do."

He said with recent disregard for safety issues, such as ignoring infrastructure and disruption to neighborhoods, the city wanted to take appropriate action to protect its residents. He added there is a pending Federal Communications Commission complaint filed by a fiber optic service provider seeking clarity regarding municipality authority in Ohio to regulate such services.

"We thought we should be placing a moratorium on horizontal drilling until legislation is clear on this topic," Fortunato said.

Council also had a first reading on an ordinance to regulate size and placement of accessory buildings in the city. A public hearing on the ordinance is set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21.

In other business:

•City Manager David D'Apolito reported the work continues on the Glenview culvert project and the new culvert should be arriving any time.

•D'Apolito said The Ohio State University football tailgate party on the Green was postponed, but has not been cancelled. He said a new date is being reviewed and details will be made known soon.

•Public Works Superintendent John Rapp reported his crews will be flushing the city's fire hydrants in the coming weeks. He said, "There could be periods of low pressure and discoloration, but it won't last long. We have 500 hydrants to flush and test."

•Council approved replats for Lot 1375 and part of Lot 1119 at 750 and 760 Blueberry Hill by Michele Kalaher and Michael McElhaney, and Lot 6902 creating Lot 6915 on Lake Wobegon Drive by Stonebridge Land Corp.

•Authorization was given to the city manager to enter an agreement related to a gift to the city's cemetery fund. It involves a city resident who wants to establish a trust and upon his death give 30% to the care of his family's eight graves, and the remaining 70% to cemetery capital improvements.

•Council set the trick or treat time 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.