No decision on Depot Road property annexation into Salem

LISBON — Columbiana County Commissioners made no decision Wednesday on a request to annex 10.039 acres on Depot Road near Snyder Road into Salem after hearing testimony both for and against the proposal.

“We’ll take it under advisement,” board President Commissioner Roy Paparodis said.

Attorney Ian Robinson, representing property owners Richard A. and Theresa L. Spack, presented a map to commissioners showing the outline of the property to be annexed at 1584 Depot Road, which is in Perry Township. The rectangular-shaped parcel touches the boundary for the city of Salem adjacent to Adele’s Restaurant on Snyder Road and at the rear of the Fresh Mark property which fronts on South Lincoln Avenue. The plant is located in the city.

Robinson said the zoning is consistent in that area with the city of Salem and annexation would allow for city water and sewer and police and fire services.

Perry Township Trustee Jim Armeni said the township trustees oppose the petition and questioned the reason for the annexation.

Richard Spack answered that in order to get water and sewer, the city requires annexation. According to the city ordinance, any property that is contiguous to the city must annex to secure city water and sewer service. If a property is not contiguous to the city, the owner must agree to annex if the property becomes contiguous in the future. There are many properties in Perry Township with city water and sewer that remain out of the city limits.

Armeni started his comments by offering his thanks to the Spacks for all the support their family has given the township over the years, saying the trustees really appreciate their help.

That being said, Armeni pointed out some concerns with the annexation, noting that the township property where the road department is located is close to the property to be annexed. He said the annexation will create an island between the city and the township.

He talked about not knowing the reason for the petition and pointed out that Depot Road is a county road maintained by the county and it will continue to be maintained by the county. Perry Township police have jurisdiction along there and the fire department has a mutual aid agreement with the city of Salem, so the same firefighters would be going if there was a fire, whether the property is annexed or not.

Armeni said he’s had discussions with Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey regarding some type of agreement when it comes to annexations.

In an East Palestine train derailment matter, commissioners journalized a letter of support for Ohio House Resolution 33 presented by state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, to strengthen communications regarding the transporting of hazardous chemicals through communities and regulations regarding train speeds.

The train derailment occurred Feb. 3 and cleanup of the mess is continuing, with concerns expressed by residents regarding water, air and soil testing along with the removal of the contaminated soil from the site.

In other business, the commissioners approved an expedited annexation petition for  .912 acres of land owned by the Family Recovery Center on Benton Road, moving the land from Perry Township into the city of Salem which will enable the agency to access city water and sewer. There was no opposition.

The commissioners also gave permission to the county engineer to advertise for bids for cationic emulsified asphalt and approved a proclamation recognizing 100 years of service by the Columbiana Rotary Club, which was granted a charter on April 5, 1923.

The commissioners approved three new contracts with funding from the senior services levy through the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services for contract periods from March 15 through Dec. 31. Two of the contracts are for home health aide and homemaker services with $25,000 contract ceilings for CareBuilders at Home from Vienna and Chucks Home Care from East Liverpool. The contract with Ohio Network for Innovation, in Mount Vernon, is for representative payee services with a $10,000 ceiling. The contract ceiling was increased to $30,000 for home health aide, homemaker and chore services through Small Town USA LLP. That contract also goes from March 15 through Dec. 31, with funding from the senior services levy.

The next commissioners’ meeting will be held March 22 in the downtown courthouse.