PERRY TOWNSHIP — The board of trustees approved two expenses in its meeting Monday.

The board of trustees voted unanimously to increase the appropriations in the Motor Vehicle License Fund’s Contract Services line item by $2,995 and to approve a then and now purchase order in the amount of $2,995 for Cargill Incorporated.

Trustee Chair Steve Bailey explained that the increase was to pay for the additional 45 tons of salt the board approved the purchase of through the 2025 Ohio Department of Transportation road salt contract in its March 23 meeting. At that meeting the trustees explained that with the severe winter weather conditions this year the price of salt is expected to rise again in 2026, making it more economical to purchase the additional salt at the 2025 contract’s cost of $58.72 per ton and reduce the township’s salt order for the 2026 road salt contract.

The trustees also voted unanimously to approve the removal of trees on Idaho Avenue and Cunningham Road by Strabala Tree Service for $750. Bailey explained that the trees were too large for the township to remove itself, and that they were in the roadway’s right of way.

Trustees also received comments from resident Linda Dickey, who questioned Trustee Russ Sinsley’s dissenting vote in the board of trustees 2-1 decision to approve two resolutions which limited the number of marijuana dispensaries permitted within the township in its March 9 meeting. She also questioned Sinsley’s stated reason for that vote being he was not in favor of permitting any dispensaries within the township.

Dickey argued that in his campaign for the board, Sinsley cited economic development as one of his primary concerns, and that a dispensary would bring economic development to the township.

Sinsley said that in addition to his own concerns, his decision had been informed by concerns brought to him by many township residents and the proposed location’s proximity to the Brightside Project. He also said that as the resolutions had still been approved despite his dissenting vote, the project would still be able to move forward if it successfully obtained a license from the state.

Dickey asked how many residents opposing a dispensary had contacted him, and Sinsley said that while he had not kept an exact count that it was between 30 and 50 residents.

During his report, Trustee Tony Ieropoli said that the road department had completed pickup for the township’s annual Spring Cleanup, which filled four 40-foot roll off dumpsters. He said that the total cost of the program this year was approximately $2,500. He also said that annual street sweeping was still slated for April 20, weather permitting.

Fiscal Officer John Volio also announced that the township’s NOPEC representative would have a public session at the township’s North Station from 1 to 2 p.m. on April 23 to answer any question residents may have about the township’s electric aggregation program.

The meeting concluded with an executive session for the discussion of personnel matters with no action to follow.

The board of trustees will meet next at 4 p.m. on April 27.