EAST PALESTINE Officials to vote on annexation and sale of land to company

The city will extend waterlines and sewer lines and streets to the new residential area.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- City officials are poised to sell the city-owned Padgett Road property.
City Manager Gary Clark said city council will meet in special session at 3 p.m. Thursday at city hall to vote on the 40-acre annexation approved last week by county commissioners, and on the sale of the property to a private company.
County commissioners approved annexation of the city-owned property from Unity Township last Wednesday.
Clark said the city will sell the property, split into about 50 residential lots, to Cricket Construction of Lowellville for about $1 million, or $20,000 per lot.
He said the price is based on engineers' estimated cost to extend water and sewer service and build streets, curbs and a drainage system in the area.
By law, the city cannot profit directly from the real estate deal, he said. The plan is to sell the land for about what it will cost to extend water and sewer to the area and create streets, curbs and a drainage system.
Looking ahead
Clark said the city will benefit in the long run, however, because the development will mean more city residents, water and sewer customers, and an increased tax base.
Once the city sells the lots, Cricket Construction will be responsible for developing the residential subdivision, Clark said.
Then the city's only responsibility will be installing and maintaining the water and sewer services and the streets through the area.
Clark said the city is developing a walking trail through the area, and that work began Monday.
Workers are cutting a rough path through the wooded area that will be covered with crushed limestone.
The path will eventually link to a similar walking trail planned through the city park, he said.