Fears of possible exposure to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, have led Newton Falls Council to become the first governmental body in the Mahoning Valley to bar public attendance at council meetings starting Monday and continuing through April. However, the public will be able to participate digitally during the meeting in real-time, according to City Manager David Lynch.

“We have to strike a balance between safety and public participation,” Lynch told 21 News Saturday. “The public must have access, and the attorney general has determined we are in compliance with the (state) statute.”

In addition, Lynch announced several other steps that will have an immediate impact on the community. Newton Falls will cut water and electricity rates 30-percent for March only. “We know this is a small gesture, but we want to help where we can on a temporary basis,” the letter states. Sewer rates, however, remain the same.

Other steps include prohibiting in-person utility payments at the finance office on North Center Street, but waiving service fees for phone and online payments “until further notice,” and closing the Zoning Office on Broad Street for public walk-ins.

Lynch announced the unusual moves in a letter on the village website and Facebook page that will be sent to all residents of Newton Falls this week. The letter notes that residents can watch council meetings broadcast live without any delays on Spectrum Channel 1023, YouTube, and Facebook. Those wishing to address council will be able to do so during the meeting.

“We are asking them to send us a text message stating ‘I want to participate,’ and we will call them,” Lynch explained. “We’ve already had two people who told us they want to speak to council.”  Lynch said council would initiate the call because “we don’t want anyone to get shut out because they’re getting a busy signal.”

Lynch also provided copies of opinions from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and a member of the AG staff that may support Newton Falls’ actions despite an “in-person” attendance requirement in the state’s Open Meetings Act (OMA). On Friday, Yost released a letter to all municipalities stating the OMA does not contain an exception “during the time of a declared emergency,” however Yost writes that even if there is access provided electronically and by telephone, council “must ensure that the public is able to hear the discussion and deliberations of all the members.”

Lynch said that the ban on public attendance at the council meeting “could be longer or shorter than April” depending on information from the Center for Disease Control and the Ohio Department of Health on the extent of the coronavirus pandemic. The city manager said that on Sunday, a firm would conduct antibacterial and antiviral spraying throughout city hall to protect employees and officials from potential exposure to COVID-19.