FRANKLIN SQUARE- Constable Dan Valentine said things were quiet in Salem Township compared to break-ins and bank robberies in nearby areas.
He advised trustees he received a message from the Columbiana County sheriff on Wednesday about a person regarding the recent explosions in the township, but was unable to reach them.
He also received a letter from a Canfield-Lisbon Road family noting they also heard the explosions and included a news clipping of the mysterious explosions in Clintonville, Wisc.
Still investigating the explosions, which have repeatedly been described as sounding like dynamite going off, Valentine said he was been in touch with county Emergency Management Agency Director Darren Dodson who will talk with oil and gas companies "and see what he comes up with."
Valentine said, "We may sit down and plot out a map ... "
In related business, Valentine asked for money to buy a label printer for presentation of his cases the prosecutor's office.
Fiscal Officer Cathy Wilms said department heads are allowed to make purchases up the $150 without trustee approval.
Also, in other business, Road Foreman Jason Entrikin said the radiator in the Bobcat bucket-loader needed repaired, noting the cost of a new one was $1,700; and new road department employee Erik Saksa was given a fifty-cent an hour raise effective April 1.
Saksa, still on one-year probation, has been with the township since September and will make $13 an hour with the raise. Trustees approved the raise unanimously.
Trustees also approved a resolution advertise for bids for its mid-1970's Gradall placing a minimum bid of $6,500 on it. Trustee Chairman John Wilms said it had a Detroit diesel in the back and a Dodge up front.
"It's a remote (drive)," he said. Trustees were unsure of the year, but Trustee Bill Heston thought it was mid 1970s model and Entrikin thought the Dodge engine was a 1974.
Entrikin said the vehicle will be at the township garage for viewing.
Also, trustees discussed the chip and seal program which will cost $116,800 for emulsion only with a $5,800 credit from the county engineer.
About 1,454 tons of slag will be needed for the 8.6 miles of road to chip and sealed. The project is expected to begin the second or third week of August; an Chesapeake Energy subsidiary requested a baseline water sample that will be analyzed at no cost to the township.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
