MECCA — Township trustees have given the green light to build a new township hall at the community park located off Route 46, which also will house a childcare facility.
Trustees at their meeting Tuesday approved PSA Architects of Warren for the project.
Trustee Chairwoman Christen Clemson said she hopes this new town hall could house programs such as the Head Start program through Alta, an after school childcare center, a senior center on weekends and a community health outreach program that can offer clinic services.
“This would be a game changer for Mecca and help bring much-needed life to the community,’’ she said.
Work will begin this year with plans to have the town hall completed for the 2026-27 school year, with a goal to install a sidewalk to connect the new town hall to nearby Maplewood High School and the community fishing area.
The town hall will be located near where the maintenance building is in the park.
The township has $534,471 for the project that includes $259,471 in American Rescue Plan funds, $175,000 from the Trumbull County commissioners ARP funds and $100,000 from the state budget’s capital improvement plan grant.
Clemson said if Head Start is located at the center, Alta will cover costs for their own playground and fencing. She said the county planning commission has agreed to help the township plan the project.
Trustees have met with Julie Green, executive director of the planning commission and other staff on the project. She said the newly named Maplewood Schools Superintendent, Kevin O’Connell, agreed that a childcare facility at the center will benefit students and plans to have Head Start units at the Maplewood schools for the 2025-26 school year.
TOWNSHIP FUNDS
In other business, Trustee Greg Chopko verified there is $302,796 in outstanding property taxes on 155 parcels owed to the township.
Of the 155 delinquent parcels, Chopko said 16 are under a repayment plan, 10 are in the foreclosure process and seven are pending sale. Clemson said those funds are needed for the general fund.
“We are watching current expenses to be fiscally responsible. The general fund is low since everything we pay for comes from the general fund,” Clemson said.
She said the township park, which is well used by the community, “is a massive expense to us.”
“We are running on a shoestring budget,’’ Chopko said.
Clemson said officials are looking at ways to reduce expenses, such as a new agreement with the Mecca Fire Association, a different supplier for portable restrooms at the park and potentially a park levy on the ballot.
Clemson said they plan to meet with Jeffrey Jiang, a grant writer who has assisted other communities secure funding. Chopko said Jiang can be invited to a future meeting to talk with trustees about strategies to secure grant funding.
Clemson suggested grant funding could be sought for updating the park’s playground equipment. She said she would like to have playgrounds available for children of all abilities.
Also, trustees have scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m. today with the Trumbull County Planning Commission to discuss a comprehensive plan.
Trustees said they want input from residents regarding what they want the township to have and to be 10 to 20 or more years down the road.
Trustees said there is an online survey people can complete on the township website.
“We want public input on the plan,’’ Clemson said.
Officials said the planning commission is helping Mecca at a cost of less than $3,000 for the comprehensive plan.
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