New East Palestine Police Chief Chris Weingart shakes hands with councilman Thomas Povenski Jr. following Weingart’s swearing-in ceremony Monday at the municipal building. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

EAST PALESTINE — East Palestine patrolman Chris Weingart, a more than 20-year veteran of the department, stepped into the role of police chief Monday when he was sworn in by Mayor Trent Conaway at the start of the village council meeting.

Weingart succeeds recently retired Chief Jim Brown.

“We thank Chief Brown for his many, many years of service and we are pleased to have Chris as our new chief,” Conaway said. “We look forward to many great things coming and staying on the right path.”

Brown announced his intention to retire earlier this year. He began his law enforcement career in 1996 as a part-time East Palestine patrolman, becoming full-time in 1998. In 2003, he returned to part-time patrol while working as an investigator for the county prosecutor’s office, where he served on the homicide task force and assisted with major cases. He also provided active-shooter training and worked as a firearms instructor.

Weingart has held multiple roles in the department, including patrol officer, sergeant and second-in-command. Lauded for his operational expertise and collaborative leadership style, both the village and Brown expressed confidence that he is positioned to continue the department’s mission of “serving with honor, transparency and excellence.”

Village Manager Diaz-Guy reiterated that belief on Monday.

“I took this job less than a year ago and when I came in one of the first things we did was look at all the departments and Jim Brown was leading the police department, and as a chief Jim was calm, cool and collected and seemed to work over the last 20 years,” Diaz-Guy said. “So when it came time for Jim’s retirement we asked the question, ‘Who can fill the role and build on the tradition and respect for the law that Jim embodied?’ And Chris is meticulous. His attention to detail is unmatched and I found out that a lot of the work that Chris did kept the department running smoothly. Now, I think we are in a position where we can look forward to a chief that has the same quality and character as Jim.”

In other matters, Diaz-Guy reported that a “distilled set of project recommendations” from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Safer Streets for All (SS4A) grant will be presented by the end of this month.

“A lot of this is going to focus on public safety, simplifying the roads, tightening up corridors and making sure that people are actually using crossings,” he said.

The village received a $211,488 SS4A grant aimed at improving street safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers by addressing unsafe crossings, poor lighting and safe-routes-to-school connectivity.

Diaz-Guy also confirmed the village’s official membership in the Mayors Partnership for Progress, a nonprofit network of Appalachian Ohio municipalities collaborating on shared challenges, resources and funding opportunities.

“We get together and basically worry about small-town problems, not big-city problems,” Diaz-Guy said. “For us that means a lot of access to funding and technical assistance.”

Council also reviewed department updates, advanced multiple pieces of legislation and continued laying the groundwork for a May 2026 police levy renewal.

Finance officials outlined remaining steps for placing the police levy renewal on the May 5, 2026 ballot. A resolution passed Monday will allow the county auditor to certify the tax valuation, which must then be attached to the next required resolution.

Both pieces of legislation must reach the county Board of Elections at least 90 days before the election. Council also voted to award the 2025-2029 audit contract to Balestra & Co. and approved a memorandum of understanding.

A walk-through with architects and prospective tenants at the Train Depot property was held last week, and design plans are nearly complete. The county has applied for a Community Development Block Grant on the village’s behalf for the project.

The East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC) was scheduled to vote Tuesday on a real-estate listing agreement for the old Jasar Recycling property, originally purchased for a first responder regional training center later shelved under the Norfolk Southern settlement. Norfolk Southern subsequently donated the property to the village. The parcel will likely be separated into three sections for lease or sale.

The EPCIC also recently received a proposal from a contractor to assess structural, plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems at two North Market Street buildings donated by Shirley J. Smith and her daughter Paige Smith. The assessments will include repair recommendations to ready the buildings for new tenants and stimulate additional downtown traffic and jobs.

“We appreciate the gift of these properties, but even though they are a gift, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to bring them up to code and get them ready for tenants,” said Councilwoman Barb Herriot, who chairs the economic development committee.

The EPCIC is also awaiting cost estimates for demolishing the drive-through canopy at the former PNC Bank property acquired through the Brighten Our Future initiative.

Street crews continued seasonal work in November, clearing leaves, installing holiday decorations and completing cleanup projects at the former Jasar property and the Train Depot. Crews graded an alley between East North and East Grant streets and performed creekbank maintenance near the old Chinese restaurant and the Veterans Memorial. Winter preparation is underway, including snow-removal equipment checks and pothole patching.

The Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department reported $90 in rental revenue for November and completed restroom winterization and fall decoration removal.

The Development Department issued 17 building and zoning permits totaling $585 and collected $300 in contractor registration fees, along with one solicitor’s permit for $400.

Safety forces reported steady activity. Police officers volunteered at the Heroes & Halos Thanksgiving dinner and the annual Turkey Trot and completed required training. The department handled 366 self-initiated calls resulting in 119 reports. The fire department responded to 105 calls in November — 65 within the village — and reopened the Clark Street station Nov. 26 following renovations.

Water and wastewater staff reported normal operations. The department issued 87 disconnection notices and hand-delivered 67 final notices, resulting in three shutoffs.

The council’s second December meeting has been moved to Dec. 29.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

— Council advanced three items of legislation: a third reading of an ordinance adjusting bulk water rates, an emergency ordinance for 2026 supplemental appropriations and a resolution tied to the police levy renewal.

— Council appointed Stephen Hill, Geraldine Guy and Dot Herbert to the Library Board; Stephanie Elick to the CRA Housing Council; and Gary Linhart and Karen King to the Planning Commission. Letters of interest for vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals and CRA Housing Council are still being accepted at m.martin@eastpalestine-oh.gov.

— An adult-only Christmas karaoke party is set for Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at the East Palestine Eagles. The cover charge is $10. Councilman Lenny Glavan invited the community to “sing a few Christmas songs and feel a little extra jolly.”

selverd@mojonews.com