Mayor pushes for development

The city could grow by 300 to 400 homes before more sewage plant capacity is needed, a councilman said.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- With the focus finally off a 14-day population recount, Mayor Raymond Hull is more than ready for the city to move forward.
Hull wants to emphasize residential and industrial development, including an industrial park.
He proposed Monday that council consider setting aside some of the city's electric trust fund for land acquisition and development.
Sewage plant: Doug Simpson, chairman of council's utility committee, said 300 to 400 homes could be added before more sewage plant capacity is needed.
Simpson said although the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency closely monitors the city's progress, OEPA officials are satisfied with the continuing efforts to reduce infiltration of storm water into the sewage system.
Bids will be opened May 10 for system improvements near the plant.
After five years and some $4 million in improvements, city manager Patricia Quigley told council in August that OEPA would likely approve developers' requests to tap into the sewage system.
The agency prohibited major development in the city last March until storm water infiltration was significantly reduced.
Census: Council had previously discussed ideas for an industrial park, but planning, collecting and compiling data to rebut 2000 census figures dominated much of the city's time the past three weeks.
Law Director Bradley Allison said he could not confirm Monday that a certified letter he sent to the Ohio secretary of state's office Friday containing affidavits about the census figures had arrived.
Officials and volunteers counted 5,058 residents after census figures showed East Palestine some 70 residents shy of the 5,000 needed to retain city status.
If East Palestine were a village, the health department would be lost, distribution of some grants and local government funds would be reduced and the city could choose to no longer recognize labor unions.
Sergeants, patrolmen and dispatchers are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police, while Teamsters represent water, sewer and street department employees.