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Water line to Haltec discussed by Butler trustees

BUTLER TWP. — Trustees discussed a proposed 4,500 foot water main extension to Haltec Corp. on North Price Road on Monday.

Haltec plans to pay for the line to connect with Salem’s water tower on Stewart Road and city permission came with the understanding that it will annex if the property ever becomes contiguous to the city.

A leader in the tire valve industry, Haltec said it wants the extension for potable water, fire suppression and to expand.

Trustees addressed the waterline with brothers John and Alan Gamble in attendance and who had questions regarding it.

In discussions between Haltec and the city in May, a tax increment finance (TIF) deal through Butler Township, to help defray the infrastructure cost, was mentioned.

Also, in May, Haltec sent a letter to the township advising it was in the process of selecting a designer to build a new facility near its current one, that would greatly expand square footage and bring in “up to an additional 75 jobs.”

The letter, from Haltec’s Director of Procurement Todd Dow, said the company was looking into several state program for grants or low-interest financing.

“One of these programs available to us is called tax increment financing incentive,” Dow said.

The TIF, which the city won’t be part of if it’s implemented, was discussed by Haltec officials, Jon Vollnogle, president of engineers Howells and Baird, and the city utilities department personnel.

Tax increment financing is a public financing method used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects.

During the city meeting, Haltec asked if a private 10-year cost recovery option was possible, so if future development there wanted to tap into the water line, the company could recover some of its costs for the original line installation.

Oversight of the water main will be with the city utilities department which will own and maintain the line when it’s completed.

On Monday, trustees discussed right-of-way easements and Trustee Chairman Tom Sanor it will be tough for them to get an easement and “they would have to get it from our township first.”

He said that Hunt Road, between Stewart and North Price Road, was never abandoned or recorded and it was mentioned in a June letter from Howells and Baird to the township.

The company said it would like to use the right-of-way on Hunt Road, noting that in 1864 Columbiana County Commissioners established a section in Butler Township extending up to Perry Township and the road was dedicated.

The letter said the company wants to use it “assuming the right-of-way has never been officially vacated or that it does not automatically vacate after a period of non-used as a public road.”

The letter requested the board to obtain an opinion from the county prosecutors office as to whether the right-of-way still exists along Butler Township sections 13 and 14.

Trustee Matt Hall said they were still in the research process regarding the issue and no action was taken.

In other business, trustees discussed roads, truck repairs and disposal of properties through the land bank.

lshields@salemnews.net

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