By Kerry Rahm
krahm@wbcowqel.com
An irritated New Washington resident came to the Village Council meeting Monday night to express his thoughts regarding his “inconsiderate” West Mansfield Street neighbors and their noisy parrots.
Mark Yosick, also a Mansfield Street resident, came to speak his mind about the persistent bird problem that has been plaguing that area for quite a while.
“First it was a novelty, but now, I’ve had it,” Yosick stated. “It’s continually getting worse… It sounds like an army down there,” he said. “They weren’t as bad before as they are right now.”
He appealed to Mayor Ben Lash, as Yosick thought council was working on passing an ordinance to take care of the bird-related noise issues.
Lash did indeed state that the birds are “a problem,” that New Washington Police Chief Jeff Shook was monitoring the issue, and that the council is working on ordinances to address the noise.
“Neighbors should be able to get along with each other, we should be considerate of one another,” said Lash, who then gave the floor to Shook. Shook spoke about a conversation he had with one of the residents of the home.
“He understands the issue,” said Shook, who then relayed to the man that the situation “would be very costly if the issue was to be rectified through the courts.”
“He told me he was going to take care of it,” said Shook.
Shook mentioned that, according to the man, “The birds are for sale, and would be gone by winter.”
Shook also said that members of the police department had heard the birds as far away as the corner of Tiffin Street and Jeffrey Drive, which is located several blocks away from the home.
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Two employees of the New Washington Police Department were sworn in to their new positions during the meeting.
Officer Jeremy Schick was made sergeant and Robert Lombardo was made a part-time patrol man for the department.
Clerk Julie Cronau swore in the two men in front of council and their families.
The council is one step closer to having the village ordinances codified, according to village solicitor Tim Obringer.
He presented clerk Cronau with a “pilot copy” of ordinances which she must approve and certify as accurate. If all is correct, council will then be in a position to enact the codified ordinances.
Cronau read a letter which was sent by New Washington Fire Chief Dick Ackerman, wherein he informed the council of his resignation as village fire chief. Council accepted the letter on Ackerman’s behalf, and thanked him for his years of service.