PERRY TOWNSHIP – The board of trustees approved the purchase of a new salt storage barn in its meeting Monday. 

The board of trustees voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a 32-foot by 48-foot hoop barn from Elemental Shelter Solution for $50,897.54, asphalt to pave a platform for the barn to sit on from R&R Paving for $10,380, and the demolition and removal of the wooden roof structure of the old salt sort building by Hippley Excavating for $6,700 for a total cost of $67,977.64. 

Trustees have discussed the township’s salt storage building several times in recent months, which they said had significant corrosion to its entryway and wooden structures which needed repaired. However, after seeking several quotes trustees found that the cost of repairing the building would be nearly the same as the cost of an entirely new building, with Trustee Tony Ieropoli noting that the new building will cost approximately $10,000 more than repairs, and that with the composition of the building the issue was likely to recur. 

“The roof was deteriorating so we got several prices for a roof and to fix some of the structure inside which the salt was eating out and the cost to repair the beams, the roof itself and the vents was just shy of about $10,000 less than the new one,” said Ieropoli. “So, we went ahead with the new one because we might be looking at this same thing 30 years down the road from now because the building we have now is only about 35 years old.” 

The new hoop barn is expected to hold approximately 500 tons of salt, and trustees plan to use the cement wall structures of the original building for storage as well. 

Trustees also voted unanimously to approve a resolution of necessity requesting the county auditor to certify tax valuation information in anticipation of levying a tax in excess of the 10-mill limitation in preparation to seek renewal of the townships 1-mill police levy. 

Other financial matters approved included trustees voting unanimously to approve the purchase of three sets of fire gear from Blue Line Limited for $9,690 total for the fire department. 

Ieropoli and Armeni also gave their condolences to the families of Barb Fink and Ron Poage, who recently passed away. An emotional Ieropoli said that Fink was one of the original chartered members of the township’s fire department and served with the department for 25 years, and that Poage had served on the township’s Zoning Appeals Board for approximately 34 years prior to resigning from the board in April due to health concerns. 

“I want to recognize both [Fink and Poage], they were two great people who served the township for a long time and were both very well respected in the township,” said Ieropoli. 

“Our condolences go out to their families. We appreciate their service to our community for many, many years,” said Armeni. 

The board of trustees will meet next at 4 p.m. June 23.