The Mahoning Township building will officially be a smoke-free zone said supervisors at Monday evening's meeting in response to a recent complaint filed by Mahoning Township Police Chief Kenneth Barnes with the Department of Labor and Industry.

As a result of the ensuing discussion, the board decided the area outside of the eastern end of the building would be marked with signs that would clearly designate the smoking area. This is necessary due to a playground several yards east of the building which is already posted as a no smoking area, although some members of the board were skeptical about doing so."I'm worried the butts will end up in the park," said Mahoning Township Secretary Natalie Haggerty who is also a member of the township's recreation commission."If that becomes a problem, then we will take away their privilege," answered Supervisor Frank Ruch.While the east side of the building seemed best due to the observation that there were no doors to let smoke in the building, other areas were initially considered on the property, but most of the supervisors had their own opinions about where the designated area should be.Supervisor Travis Steigerwalt asked whether the board should consider erecting a shelter similar to the one where he worked while Supervisor George Stawnyczyj suggested just having people smoke outside the front of the building five or more feet from the door. Ruch said, "The smoke will come right back into the building as people walk in." Stawnyczyj countered that the heat from the building would keep it outside.Stawnyczyj also voiced his opinion that the ban in the building should be more comprehensive."If we are going to ban smoking, then I think we should ban all tobacco products," he said.But Solicitor Tom Nanovic answered that smoking is the only form of tobacco use against the law in public buildings.Steigerwalt then suggested they utilize the carport as a shelter, but Stawnyczyj pointed out vehicles are kept in there and it usually has fumes that could be dangerous if people were to smoke inside of it.When it was first suggested about using the east side due to its lack of doors into the building which would keep the smoke outside, Ruch mentioned the playground also on that side of the structure is a non-smoking area. After some deliberation though, the supervisors felt that with a clearly designated area as outlined by the law, it would be far enough away from the playground to not affect it.The park area is several yards from the building, but Ruch added that if the smokers do not police themselves and keep the area clean, the board will remove the privilege from the grounds altogether.