Stauffer fills empty seat on East Palestine Council
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EAST PALESTINE -- Erin Stauffer was sworn in as the newest member of the East Palestine Village Council, filling what was the third open council seat since October, during Monday's regular council meeting at the East Palestine Municipal Building.
Stauffer replaces Jessica Rocco, who tearfully resigned in April, on council as well as the Recreation, Parks and Cemetery Committee chair.
Rocco gave no specific reason for giving up her seat, but called it one of the "hardest decisions" she ever made when tendering her resignation on April 21.
Rocco's departure was the latest in a months-long upheaval that changed the face of the council. In October, councilman and longtime community leader Doug Simpson resigned his seat in protest of what he called "unfair treatment" of former village manager Chad Edwards. He was replaced by Barb Herriot. In December, councilwoman Linda May passed away unexpectedly. John Simon filled May's seat.
Monday's meeting began with back-to-back executive sessions before naming Stauffer as Rocco's replacement. Thomas Povenski Jr. was appointed as the new Mayor Pro Tem and Tim Blythe was appointed as council's representative on the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC). Both positions were also held by Rocco.
In other matters on Monday, Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy presented council with a proposal to install tents in the village park at the current location of the scout cabin. The cabin Diaz-Guy said is in disrepair and rather than put money into the cabin, the idea is to tear it down and use the space to create nine to 10 tent camping spots with limestone pads. Utilities and restroom facilities already exist at the location. The project is anticipated to cost approximately $47,000. Diaz-Guy asked council to consider the proposal and to take action on it at the next meeting.
"One thing we've noticed is that in the village there is a lack of small projects that we can do in the community with privatized grants or with the help of the school district to sort of move the needle forward and when we started looking at shovel-ready projects, this idea came up in multiple conversations," Diaz-Guy said. "The idea here is pretty simple. East Palestine has a lack of lodging opportunities. We have one Air BNB and zero hotels but we have a lot of people who want to spend time in East Palestine. We had a successful disc golf tournament in the park and from the park crew we learned that cyclists often stay in tents around the lake in the park, so what we are looking to do is create a community space that runs through the normal reservation process where people can book a stay at the tents at East Palestine Park."
If the project is proven marketable, the revenue generated could be used to maintain the park.
In other project news, Diaz-Guy gave updates on several things in the works.
In 2024, the village of East Palestine was awarded $211,488 from a program funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop a comprehensive safety action plan to improve local streets -- Safer Streets for All, but those funds were later delayed.
"Due to the federal government grant processes being out on hold that award was granted to the village but the grant agreement was not signed," Diaz-Guy explained.
The village recently received the agreement and submitted it back on Tuesday. The next step is an action plan to reduce roadway fatalities -- the purpose of the grant -- such as improved crosswalks, street signs and sidewalks. The village will apply for construction funding in 2026.
The new safety complex will be constructed on North market Street using a $16 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. The village will receive $16 million, covering 75 percent of the project which is projected to be finished in July of 2028. Over the next 16 weeks, construction plans for the complex should be completed, Diaz-Guy reported.
He also reported that the installation of a new "Welcome to East Palestine" sign located at the intersection of state routes 14 and 170 is underway. The sign should be fully installed within 90 days. The sign was paid for by Norfolk Southern as part of the remedy related to the 2023 train derailment.
In other matters, Blythe, chair of the Street Committee, thanked residents for passing the street levy which failed during the last election and Povenski congratulated Brittany and Rob Hill for earning Firefighter 1 Certification and Josh Foster and Jonathan McElroy for earning Fire Inspector Certification.
Also at Monday's meeting:
-- A resident addressed council regarding damage to her landscaping West Park Street property caused by oversized trucks. She asked council to consider signs warning trucks and oversized vehicles that they will be unable to make a left turn at the end of the street due to it becoming one-way. Diaz-Guy advised there are plans to place "no trucks" and "local delivery only" at various locations in the village.
-- Council changed the May 26 meeting to May 28 in observance of Memorial Day. A parade will be held on Memorial Day in the village.
-- Council approved transfer of C1, C2, A6 permit allowing carry-out alcohol sales at the Marathon from its old owners to its new, waving the need for a hearing.
-- Diaz-Guy reported several projects at the Glenview Cemetery are ongoing (such as painting of the entrance) and the cemetery which was without an official address is now located at 335 South Market Street.
-- Council tabled two ordinances -- one related to junk cars and related to hours at the park - at the request of Village Law Director Dave Powers. The junk car legislation is currently being reviewed by the zoning/building inspector and chief of police. The park hours legislation will only be relevant if council approves the tent proposal.
-- Herriot reported the council is moving forward to add a student council member that will report to local leaders what is going on within the school district and will report to the district happenings and initiatives in the village.
-- Council heard Police Chief Jim Brown applied for a grant to expand services for crisis response.
-- Council held the second reading of an ordinance repealing the existing indigent burial policy and procedures.
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