Perry trustees go after nuisance properties
By LARRY SHIELDS
Salem News staff writer
PERRY TOWNSHIP- Trustees authorized starting nuisance actions against three property owners on Monday as it continues cleaning up the township.
They also approved a resolution to begin tearing down a residence at 1004 Liberty St. while agreeing to bid out the mowing of properties where grass is too high.
Residences at 1004 Prospect St., 581 E. Pidgeon Road and one on Southridge Road were unanimously declared nuisance properties.
Zoning Officer Mike Aldom advised trustees the Columbiana County Health Department had been contacted regarding unsanitary conditions at C&C Trailer Park on U. S. 62.
Trustee Chairman Cliff Mix said, "We have some severe problems out there" and Trustee Larry Parker asked if it was worse than the last time it came up and Aldom said, "It's bad."
Aldom also advised he would contact a Depot Road resident about brush and a number of dogs "supposedly" on the property, he also said he had contacted the township's attorney about an Apple Street property.
In other business, resident Henry Spack said he filled out an application for sewer service from Salem but was denied unless he annexed.
Parker advised Spack his property was included on a list that was negotiated during the fire district talks. It was specifically listed as one that would have to annex in exchange for services.
Spack said there was nothing in the Ohio Revised Code that said people had to annex and Parker said if they were currently contiguous they had to annex.
Parker said nobody was forced to do it.
"You didn't get the protection other people got and that's a true fact," he said and Spack said it was his understanding "you have to annex."
He added, "I don't think that's fair" and Parker said, "You don't have to annex if you don't get sewer and water and I don't think the city can force you to annex."
For clarification on another annexation issue, Parker explained the $11,200 fee to receive utility services was for residents in the Northeast Sewer District. The city allowed residents there to acquire
service with the Utilities Commission paying for half the cost a few years ago.
That is not the deal now.
Parker said the current effort to obtain utility services by township residents on Brooklyn Avenue, Painter and Depot roads will cost "in the $5,000 range" with a $60 city tap-in fee.
The deadline to apply for service without annexation under the fire district contract is Aug. 1.
Also, trustees voted to move $900,000 in township money from the Home Savings & Loan Co.
Fiscal Officer Susan Johnston said the township received notice to remove its money within 30 days. Trustees approved putting it into a 14-month certificate of deposit at the Consumers National Bank at 3.24 percent interest.
Also, Parker questioned whether the township's gasoline vendor, Salem Oil, was deducting18 cents a gallon tax that goes for road repairs. Government
Parker said, "I like to work with our suppliers," but added that "a this point" he wasn't convinced he was doing the township "anything in our best interest."
Trustees also approved donating $300 to Crime Watch to help it acquire tax-exempt status.
Trustee Mike Halleck said, "I have no problem with that" and Parker said they did it with volunteers.
Also, trustees approved financial assistance for humane officer Sue Davidson to purchase small cages for animals picked up in the township.
Johnston said there were cages at Tractor Supply for about $24 apiece.
Parker advised that parts to repair a fire truck will be available either at the end of this week or next week.
Finally, trustees changed a special meeting from 9 a.m. today to 9 a.m. Wednesday. They will immediately go into executive session to discuss contracts and personnel. No action will be taken.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
