AEP Defends Approach to North Canton Tree Trimming

AEP reps told North Canton City Council that deep cuts are often needed to avoid power outages and costly fines.

On Monday, AEP representative David Wheeler addressed North Canton City Council to defend tree-trimming procedures that many -- including former city councilman Gary Wechter -- criticized after several trees were cut last month in the northern section of the city.  Wheeler explained trees are trimmed on a four-year cycle, and said that some need to be cut more so than others to keep branches from interfering with power lines.  "They have the right to cut within 10 feet of their powerlines," said council president Jon Snyder. "That's the reason for the deep cut. . .and they'll be back in 2017." Following the meeting, Wheeler spoke to a group of residents, saying even though the approach may ruin the appearance of the trees, it’s the best …

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City's Push for Additional Parking at East Maple Ball Fields Seems to Defy Logic

Blogger Chuck Osborne writes the ball fields already have parking to accommodate 227 vehicles, and there is no reason to increase the level of risk to the City’s aquifer with additional parking.

Councilman Puts Little League Parking, Recreation Rate Changes on the Table

Is it time North Canton added new parking spots to the Little League ballfields? Councilman Doug Foltz says yes.

Ward 1 City Councilman Doug Foltz restarted the conversation over additional little league parking at Monday's Council meeting when he suggested the city spend $50,000 to help pay for a gravel lot off East Maple Street.  The proposed parking area — a 2.9-acre plot owned by the city — is grass now, but could be graded and covered with gravel, said Ward 4 Councilman Jon Snyder. The area would fit roughly 80 cars and provide extra parking for North Canton Little League and Hoover Trail parking. The necessary money, Foltz said, could be taken out of a deceased resident's $150,000 bequest. With nearly 300 existing parking spots, the North Canton Planning Commission rejected the parking expansion plan in March, but Foltz said it's needed given …

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Michael

11:14 pm on Sunday, April 28, 2013

You are asking a question that you have answered and stated in your arguments 100 times. You have stated multiple times that parking for little league is not enough and they park on the street, overflowing the nursing home across the street and parking in the grass. You have complained about not having enough parking yet you question adding parking. The reason they need more than 227 parking …   more ›

City Plans Separate Meetings for Crime Prevention and Flooding

North Canton city officials want to hear from residents this week about crime in Wards 1 and 4 as well as update residents on the Zimber Ditch

Your city council reps in Wards 1 and 4 are looking for your concerns about safety and crime prevention. Ward 1 Councilman Doug Foltz and Ward 4 Councilman Jon Snyder have scheduled a meeting to discuss those topics at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the North Canton Civic Center, 845 W. Maple St. Officials from the North Canton police and fire departments also will be on hand for the discussion and to answer residents' questions. The city also has planned a meeting to discuss with the public the issue of flooding in North Canton. That meeting, which will focus on Zimber Ditch updates and the National Flood Insurance Program, takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the North Canton Civic Center. In attendance will be Rep. Kirk Schurring, the director of…

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March 18 City Council Meeting Canceled

North Canton City Council meets every Monday (with the exception of the fifth Monday of the month). It will not meet on March 18.

The next North Canton City Council meeting has been canceled, the city announced today. Council meets at 7 p.m. every Monday in City Council Chambers (with the exception of the fifth Monday of the month). It will not meet March 18. The meeting was canceled because of a lack of agenda items.

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City Council Moves Forward in Raising Water Rates

North Canton hasn't raised water rates since 2009

Water rates could be going up soon in North Canton. City council had its first reading for the rate increases at its Monday night meeting.  "I think it's inevitable," City Council President Jon Snyder told North Canton Patch earlier this month. The rate increase is needed to maintain and replace water lines, starting this year, and to pay past debt incurred to upgrade the city’s water system. According to the Canton Repository, the increase would be 5.5 percent annually for three years. Water rates haven't increased since 2009, Snyder said. Council will need to vote twice more on the rate increases before they would go into effect.

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North Canton City Council Passes 2013 Budget

The general fund deficit is about $1.4 million because of cuts to state and local government funding

North Canton YMCA Gets Proclamation at Council Meeting Tuesday

The organization will be honored for its 90 years in the community

Has the North Canton YMCA made an impact on your life? If it has, YMCA and city officials are hoping you'll stop by City Hall Tuesday evening for a special ceremony honoring the community organization. The YMCA is celebrating 90 years in the community this month (click here to see a photo gallery of the YMCA throughout the years). A special meeting to approve the 2013 budget will take place at 6:50 p.m., and the council of the whole meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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North Canton's Little League Light Issue Isn't Up To City Council

Council invited the public to speak about the proposed lights at the Little League field during the past month, but the decision to allow lights really lies with the Planning Commission

North Canton officials have to switch gears after finding out the decision to allow overhead lights at the Little League fields doesn't lie with city council, but the planning commission. The proposed change to the Little League contract had been discussed by North Canton City Council members along with residents and Little League officials throughout the month, with a public hearing just for that issue taking place Feb. 4. But, it's not up to council whether the lights are added. "We were actually just one step ahead of ourselves there," Council President Jon Snyder said. "I don’t know if it was an oversight or what, but now we’ve got to correct it.” So the proposed change to the Little League's contract will head to the planning …

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Council President: Raising North Canton Water Rates is 'Inevitable'

Jon Snyder, president of North Canton City Council, said the city could see an increase of 3.5-5 percent if council passes the water rate increase

In March 2012, North Canton city officials thought a possible partnership with Plain Township could lower residents' water rates. North Canton would provide water to parts of Plain Township, and, to put it simply, the more the city sells, the easier it would be maintain and even lower its water rates. And now, almost a year later, plans for that partnership are still in the lurch, and, even if it did come through, city officials think rates would still go up for North Canton residents. "I think it's inevitable," City Council President Jon Snyder said this week. North Canton hasn't seen a water rate increase since 2009, but Snyder said an increase is now necessary to maintain and replace water lines, starting this year. He said the rate …

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