Government

FORM OF GOVERNMENT

The Village of East Palestine is run by the Council-Manager form of government, which combines the political leadership of elected officials (Mayor and Board of Trustees) with the administrative experience of the Village Manager.

The Mayor/Council President is elected for a term of four years. The Council is made up of six elected members, serving overlapping terms of four years. The Village Manager is appointed by the Council for an indefinite term and directs and supervises the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the Municipality.

East Palestine Village Council convenes on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., hosted at the Municipal Building, 85 N. Market St. Residents desiring to address the Council during a meeting are required to complete an “Agenda Request” available at the Clerk’s office. Alternatively, submit a letter outlining your questions or concerns by noon on the Friday preceding the meeting.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (CIC) BOARD

Appointed by Council. By law, the CIC must have members of the Village government on its board – including members of Village Council.

5 MEMBERS
Tom Brittain
Linda May (Village Council Member)
Chris Page
Dr. Jessica Rocco (Village Council Member)
Melissa Smith

PARK BOARD MEMBERS

Appointments: 3 by Council, 3 by Manager (5 year terms)

6 MEMBERS
Becky Westover, (Manager Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/28)
Karen Gorby (Manager Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/28)
Bonnie Sansenbaugher (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/26)
Brenda Povenski (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/26)
Bennett Bruno (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/26)
Pam Figley (Manager Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/27)

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

All members appointed by Council (5 year terms)

5 MEMBERS (2 Open)
Brenda Ginder (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/27)
Robert Lalley (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Jerry Coblentz (Council Appointment, Term expires 12/31/26)
Misti Martin (Adm. Asst. serves as Secretary, Appointed by Council, Indefinite)

LIBRARY BOARD

Board members appointed by Council (4 year terms)

7 MEMBERS
Stephen Hill (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Beth McTrustry (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Geraldine Guy (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Misti Allison (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/27)
Stephanie Elick (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/27)
Jim Wilson (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/24)
Charlsi Lehman (Council Appointment, Term Expires 12/31/27)

INCOME TAX BOARD OF REVIEW

Rick Ellis (Appointed by Council, Indefinite)
Mary Bingham (Appointed by Council, Indefinite)
Diane Foster (Appointed by Mayor, Indefinite)

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA HOUSING COUNCIL

Appointments (2 by Mayor, 2 by Council, 1 by Planning & Commission Board, & 2 must be EP residents who are appointed by the Board), 3 year term

Rich Spratt (Appointed by Council, Term Expires 12/31/24)
Paula Jurjavcic (Appointed by Council, Term Expires 12/31/26)
Stephanie Elick (Appointed by Mayor, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Becky Foster (Appointed by Mayor, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Bonnie Davis (Appointed by Board, Term Expires 12/31/24)
Kent Chapman (Appointed by Board, Term Expires 12/31/26)
Tami Harris (Appointed by Plan. Comm., Term Expires 12/31/26)
Misti Martin (Adm. Asst. serves as Secretary, Non voting)

PLANNING COMMISSION

Appointed by Mayor with consent of Council, 5 Year Terms

5 MEMBERS
Jon Varley (Appointed by Mayor with Council consent, Term Expires 12/31/28)
Gary Linhart (Appointed by Mayor with Council consent, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Karen King (Appointed by Mayor with Council consent, Term Expires 12/31/25)
Joyce McCutcheon (Appointed by Mayor with Council consent, Term Expires 12/31/26)
John Turner (Chairman, Appointed by Mayor with Council consent, Term Expires 12/31/27)
Misti Martin (Serves as Secretary to the Board)

RECORDS COMMISSION

Members appointed according to ordinance: Mayor or Mayors designee, Manager or Managers designee, Finance Director or Finance Director designee & Clerk of Council.

5 MEMBERS with indefinite terms
Chairman: Village Manager or his designee to serve as chairman or at request of manager a chairman shall be elected from the commission.

Trent Conaway (Current Mayor has a seat)
Chad Edwards (Current Manager has a seat)
David Powers (Current Law Director has a seat)
Melissa Hiner (Current Finance Director has a seat)
Misti Martin (Current Clerk of Council has a seat)

2024 Village Officials

MAYOR/PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL

Trent Conaway
t.conaway@eastpalestine-oh.gov
(Term 1/1/24 to 1/1/27)

FINANCE DIRECTOR

LAW DIRECTOR

Atty. David Powers

COUNCIL CLERK/ADMIN ASSISTANT

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Jessica Rocco
j.rocco@eastpalestine-oh.gov
(Term 1/1/22 – 12/31/25)

Lenny Glavan
l.glavan@eastpalestine-oh.gov
(Term 1/1/24 – 12/31/27)

J. Douglas Simpson
d.simpson@eastpalestine-oh.gov
(Term 1/1/22 – 12/31/25)

Linda May
l.may@eastpalestine-oh.gov
(Term 1/1/24 – 12/31/27)

Thomas Povenski
t.povenski@eastpalestine-oh.gov
(Term 1/1/22 – 12/31/25)

Tim Blythe
t.blythe@eastpalestine-oh.gov
(Term 1/1/24 – 12/31/27)

2024 Village Departments

STREET

Glavan (Chair), Povenski, May

DEVELOPMENT/FINANCE

May (Chair), Blythe, Povenski

PARK/REC/CEMETERY

Rocco (Chair), Glavan, May

UTILITY

Blythe (Chair), Simpson, Rocco

SAFETY

Povenski (Chair), Rocco, Simpson

LEGISLATION

Simpson (Chair), Blythe, Glavan