POLAND — Poland Councilman Michael Zembower announced at Tuesday’s meeting he was resigning at the end of February.

“I am moving to the township and can no longer serve on council,” Zembower said. “It doesn’t mean I’ll quit serving the Poland community.”

He asked his fellow council members to select a replacement “who can put their wants aside and think of their neighbors.”

Councilmen Chris Graph, Samuel Moffie, Jim Walkama and Council President Michael Thompson each wished him the best.

“Even when we disagreed, I always knew his views were based on principles and integrity,” Thompson said. “He will be missed.”

Also Tuesday, local architect Bob Mastriana addressed maintenance at the Poland Public Library. He said the library is looking at exterior maintenance but is neglecting the deterioration taking place.

“The 4-by-12 timbers are deteriorating and need a lot of work,” he said. “We can put a committee together, but need legislative authority for our group.”

He asked council to pass legislation.

“A committee would have no ability to tell the library what to do,” said Village Solicitor Jay Macejko. “They would not have to do anything the committee wanted.”

Mastriana said his committee is concerned about the exterior. He said they are looking into colors and may try to change more than that. He said it could end up like another brick walkway that was replaced with stamped concrete.

“The library officials have said many times they wish they hadn’t done that,” said Poland Village Zoning Administrator Maureen O’Neil.

Mastriana replied if the library hires an architect with historical knowledge, there won’t be a need for a confrontation.

After much discussion, it was determined the library must maintain its present exterior design. O’Neil said for now, no changes can be made. She said the exterior also must be maintained and any changes in colors or any part of the exterior would have to go before the Architectural Review Board.

“The ARB would protect the guidelines,” Zembower said. “ARB is your committee.”

Local resident Kathy Miller said, “The library is an example of how things can get out of control. Can we just get it fixed, it looks terrible.”

In other business, council:

• Tabled the acceptance of an offer to purchase an old GMC Yukon that was going to be scrapped. An offer of $600 was presented, but the person never came back to pick it up. Council decided to hold the item until the police chief could attend a meeting to get authority to scrap the vehicle.

• Approved a $15,350 purchase order for the Ohio BWC 2025 annual premiums.

• Held a second reading of an ordinance replacing section 220.5 of the codified ordinances, eliminating the legislative and policy committee.