Perry, Salem to discuss water and sewer expansion
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SALEM -- Perry Township trustees plan to attend a tentative meeting set for 6 p.m. Oct. 10 with Salem city council members to discuss how to handle future water and sewer extensions outside the city.
Trustee Chairman Steve Bailey said this is to "start conversations on how the city and township can work together for future development."
Councilman Jake Gano confirmed this will be a meeting of city council's Economic Development Committee and he's hoping for a brainstorming session.
At issue has been a city ordinance that allows for the extension of water and sewer service outside the city, but requires the property owner to annex into the city if their property becomes contiguous, meaning their property is touching property which is in the city.
The rule came under fire when it was discovered an annexation for a property in the Salem Industrial Park ended up making a property on Hampton Place contiguous to the city. The property owner was told she had to annex and if she annexed, that would make other properties contiguous, meaning those properties would have to annex, like a domino effect.
This summer, city council put a hold on the forced annexation request and the ordinance with the annexation rule, pending some talks for an agreement that would benefit both the city and township.
During Monday's township trustee meeting, Bailey said some residents from Hampton Place asked township trustees for an update. That's when he announced the upcoming meeting, which is open to the public.
In other business, trustees approved the purchase of leaf bags from Home Depot for $1,274. Dates will be announced for when residents can pick up the bags at the south station off of Depot Road and when the township will begin picking up the filled leaf bags at homes.
In police matters, trustees moved Patrolman Shawn Reynolds from provisional full-time police officer to full-time police officer to fill the spot vacant due to one of the township's full-time officers getting called to active duty in the military. The trustees then hired Nathaniel Kramer of North Jackson as provisional full-time police officer at the full-time rate, bringing the staffing up to five full-time officers and four part-time officers.
A resolution was accepted for the Columbiana County commissioners to pay the township $7,500 for having an officer on the Columbiana County Drug Task Force on a part-time basis. The officer started in April, so the money represents a pro-rated payment. Normally, communities with a part-timer on the DTF receive $10,000 toward the cost. For a full-timer, commissioners contribute $20,000.
In fire department business, trustees approved a bill of $850 for Howell Rescue to service the Genesis extraction tools and $365 to purchase two new AED batteries.
The next trustees meeting will be 4 p.m. Oct. 9.
mgreier@mojonews.com