COLUMBIANA COUNTY Commissioners consider annexation proposal

Bidding is under way for the restoration of a covered bridge.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Salem would grow by nearly 75 homes and 33 acres if Columbiana County commissioners approve an annexation proposal.
Commissioners held a public hearing Wednesday regarding the matter.
No one spoke against annexing the property, which lies in Perry Township along North Lincoln Avenue near 15th Street.
Property owners want the land annexed so they will be eligible to receive city sewer service, which is needed because many septic systems in the area are failing and pose a pollution risk.
The city has said it is willing to help pay for half the cost of extending sewer lines into the area, if it's annexed.
Even with the city's contributions, affected homeowners must still pay a nearly $5,000 assessment to help fund the project.
Other property: In July, commissioners approved annexing into Salem about 184 acres containing nearly 180 homes, many of which also have failing septic systems.
Owners of the homes in the 184 acres, which is adjacent to the 33 acres now proposed, also will be assessed nearly $5,000.
Extending sewer to both areas will cost the city about $1.5 million.
The sewer installation project could begin in late winter or early spring and be completed about six months later, Don Weingart, Salem utilities superintendent, told commissioners.
Bridge restoration: In other matters, the panel opened bids for restoration of one of the county's last covered bridges.
Bidders were:
UCentral Allied Enterprises Inc., Canton, $300,418.
UW.M. Brode Co., Newcomerstown, $295,032.
ULarry Murphy Dump Truck Service Inc., Beloit, $385,011.
UThe Righter Co., Columbus, $364,617.
County Engineer Bert Dawson has said he is hopeful that by spring workers can begin rebuilding the Teegarden Centennial Covered Bridge. The 66-foot-long structure was built in 1876.
The bridge is along Eagleton Road near Teegarden Road in Salem Township.
To fund the project, the county will pitch in about $50,000 from its road and bridge fund. Money also will come from nearly $270,000 in federal and state grants.