The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
City suspends utility fees, prepares to open pool
Legislation suspending utility late fees and shutoffs was officially approved by Amherst City Council.
During a May 26 council meeting, members supported the ordinance that suspends all fees due to nonpayment of bills by residents through the July 2020 cycle for electric, water and sewer utilities.
Mayor Mark Costilow said he will work to keep council members informed of how many residents remain behind in paying their bills, as well as how the city plans to tackle next steps in July.
“I will keep good form on how that’s going, and I think the public is appreciative of passing that tonight,” Costilow said.
Anna Mohr Schmauch Memorial Pool
The city still is planning to open Anna Schmauch Memorial Park, 960 Cleveland Ave., on June 15.
After consulting with the city’s Parks and Recreation Board, Costilow said city officials believe the pool can be opened safely.
These plans could change as late as the day before that scheduled opening, since regulations and new information changes daily, he said.
In order for the pool to smoothly open, Costilow said residents must follow the rules that will be in place.
Those rules have been dictated by local health departments, he said.
“I’m going to have to say, the public is going to have to be on board with the rules,” Costilow said. “I don’t know how to say this without it sounding really blunt.
“But if a patron doesn’t follow the rules, they’re going to be asked to leave.”
The Ohio Department of Health’s Responsible RestartOhio initiative states that some of these regulations will include the maintenance and sanitation of public restrooms at the facility, installing physical barriers like lane lines, swimmers staying six feet apart and pool employees completing a daily symptom assessment.