COLUMBIANA – City council took emergency action to pursue a quarter-million dollar grant that could start the process of linking Columbiana, Fairfield Township and Leetonia via a trail.

During Tuesday’s regular council meeting city manager Lance Willard requested members approve his application to OMEGA (Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association)’s Capital Allocation program. He wishes to seek a $250,000 grant to fund the design engineering for the trail, which has been a longtime wish.

The trail would from travel South Main Street in Columbiana through Fairfield Township to Leetonia, where it would tie in around state Route 344 to the Greenway Trail, explained Willard.

The grant would pay for the plans and engineering.

Willard said most of the property is owned by First Energy. He also plans on reaching out to Fairfield Township trustees and Leetonia council to garner letters of support for the project.

In other action, council members (without an absent Dan Dattilio), also agreed to hire Nicholas Bowen as a part-time police officer.