HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — Trustees are considering a bed tax to generate additional money for the township.

Trustee Chairman Tom Jacobs said at a recent meeting he has spoken to Trumbull County Treasurer Sam Lamancusa, who said the township would receive 2 percent from the tax on two hotels — the Best Western and the Travel Lodge, both in the Truck World area off U.S. Route 62 and Interstate 80.

Jacobs said Lamancusa informed him the township will need to collect the bed tax. He said if the township does implement the tax, it would lose 1 percent of taxes from the treasurer’s office.

Fiscal Officer Jennifer Evans said she has been in contact with Liberty and other local communities to see how they collect a bed tax. She said she would need to bill the two hotels and collect the money.

Trumbull County has a 5 percent bed tax, with 60 percent going to the Western Reserve Port Authority and 40 percent to the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau.

Officials said they will address the matter at the Sept. 14 meeting as they are on summer recess in August.

In other matters, trustees held a public hearing to add solar panels to the zoning codes text to regulate them and have guidelines in place.

Zoning administrator Dennis Parsons said guidelines for solar panels include if they are placed in the ground and not the roof, they must obtain a conditional-use permit and not exceed 2,400 square feet. He also said if the solar panels are on the roof of an existing structure, they must be placed in such a way as not to create a glare.

All solar panels must meet current fire codes.

“We have several properties in the township that have installed solar panels, and I have no control over them. We need to have regulations in place,” Parsons said.

Parsons said he next plans to add a section on wind turbines and the regulations they must follow. He said the township has fewer wind turbines.

Also, Trustee Fred Hanley said the township has discussed with Hubbard city and Brookfield officials about economic development along state Route 7. He said the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber is assisting the communities with promoting the area.

Hanley said each community may be asked to contribute $5,000, but discussions are in the preliminary stage.

“We are receptive to this,” he said.

In other business, trustees:

● Approved the sale of three Crown Victorias for the police department receiving $33,375 at auction;

● Heard from Jacobs he received a call from a resident of Trumbull Avenue wanting a light pole near her home as it is very dark in the area. Officials said they will contact Ohio Edison to see if it could be part of an existing lighting district. Hanley said a new lighting distinct may need to be formed;

● Accepted the retirement resignation of J.B. Brooks as a part-time police officer, effective Aug. 15;

● Announced that Michael Begeot, detective / sergeant in police department, retired July 31 with more than 40 years. He worked in Hubbard Township since the 1980s and previously worked in Liberty. Begeot also is an instructor at police academies at Youngstown State University and Kent State at Trumbull;

● Reported police Chief Todd Coonce has returned to work full-time after being on sick leave. Officials said he will be on patrol until he retires at end of the year;

● Approved a policy that police on moonlighting assignments with vehicles be paid $40 per hour;

● Scheduled special meetings on police contract negotiations for 10 a.m. Aug. 17 and 21;

● Discussed getting an Ohio-shaped sign to place in a section of the cemetery by Cornerhouse Christian Church off Chestnut Ridge Road.