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East Palestine’s former mayor thanked for her service

EAST PALESTINE — For the first time in six years, village council held a meeting without Mayor Margo Zuch.

Alan Cohen, the village’s new acting mayor until 2020, presided over the meeting.

Zuch, who recently turned 80, resigned at the end of June saying she felt it was time to step down and let someone else serve.

Her term expires on Dec. 31, 2019, which is why Cohen will continue serving until whomever is elected in 2019 takes over the position in early 2020.

Cohen took some time during the this week’s meeting to thank Zuch for her years of service, which included time on council.

He said he was “surprised and saddened” to learn of the resignation.

“I would like at this time to extend, on behalf of the village and everyone here, our thanks to her for her years of dedicated service, both as councilwoman and as mayor. She will be greatly missed,” he said.

Cohen then took nominations for the position of president pro-tempore of council in the event that he cannot be present.

Councilman Mark Walker nominated Councilman Doug Simpson. The nomination was seconded by Councilman Brett Todd, and passed with all in favor.

Councilman DJ Yokley was absent from the meeting.

The only other business on the agenda was the passage of the projected 2019 budget, which was given a second reading and then passed as an emergency.

Passing legislation as an emergency waives the required 30 day wait period necessary for regular legislation before it can take effect.

Cohen also announced that Rite Aid has requested a liquor license transfer.

He explained that the business has never before requested a liquor license, and is seeking a transfer of an unused license from another area, since there are currently no new permits available for East Palestine under the quota system.

Transfers are allowed under the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control, as long as they meet the necessary requirements.

Council approved a motion not to reject the permit request. The motion does not bar anyone or any other organization or entity from rejecting the permit request, however.

Final permit approval is given by the Division of Liquor Control.

In other matters, Cohen announced the asphalt for the new tennis courts at the park is in place, and now the village is awaiting the installation of the fencing and net posts.

He said the actual tennis surface will not be put on for a few weeks in order for the asphalt to properly set.

Walker also announced during the meeting that he is pleased to see that the discrepancy between water production and water billing is decreasing.

The village has struggled with a problem of production exceeding the amount billed over the years, and have attempted to locate the source of the problem, with some results.

Cohen noted that the discrepancy has decreased by roughly 23 percent as of June.

Walker said that shows that the new meter readers are working.

The village installed all new meters last year due to the fact that the old meters were outdated and not reading accurately.

Simpson also said the leak detection performed by a company hired by the village found two leaks they were not aware of, and that has also lessened the discrepancy.

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