FRANKLIN SQAURE– Salem Township trustees Tuesday approved a resolution requesting the Columbiana County Commissioners adopt a resolution banning the construction of large, or economically significant wind farms, and solar facilities on unincorporated land in the township.

The request echoes similar action from several other area townships including Fairfield, Franklin, Perry and West townships, all of which argued such a construction would be against the best interests of residents, a sentiment echoed by the trustees. If approved the resolution will block the construction of any such facility deemed economically significant as outlined in Ohio Revised code 305.58.

Revised code defines an economically significant wind farm as “wind turbines and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid and designed for, or capable of operation at an aggregate capacity of five or more megawatts but less than fifty megawatts.” A large wind farm is defined as “an electric generating plant that consists of wind turbines and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid that is a major utility facility.” A large solar facility is defined as an “electric generating plant that consists of solar panels and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid that is a major utility facility.” Revised code also specifies a major utility facility as any “electric generating plant and associated facilities designed for, or capable of, operation at a capacity of fifty megawatts or more.”

In his report Road Foreman Jason Entrikin said he was attempting to put together a cost for materials to finish long-paused repairs on the township garage, which would include the replacement and repair of the building’s siding. Entrikin had no formal estimate at the time but noted that due to ongoing nationwide inflation increasing the cost of materials, the repairs could cost in excess of $1,000.

The trustees will meet next at 7 p.m. Jan. 31.

mahart@mojonews.com