Council OKs annexation of court land

LISBON -- Village council voted unanimously to accept the annexation of property where the new Columbiana County Municipal Court building will be on Saltwell Road.
County commissioners are expected to give their approval to the annexation this week.
County municipal court Judges Robert Roberts and Mark Frost were present to request the annexation, which will allow the facility to receive water and sewer services from Lisbon.
Since the property is being annexed from Center Township into the village, it can be fast-tracked for annexation, Judge Roberts said, with construction on the building expected to begin this fall.
Council also unanimously agreed to waive the required zoning fee and water and sewer tap-in fees for the property.
Water treatment
In other matters, council was informed Monday by Marvin Carroll, interim village administrator, that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency appears to be softening in its stance on the treatment of raw water in the village.
In August, the EPA had issued a warning regarding the potential threat of bacteria and other infectious organisms in the water supply before treatment at the village's plant. Safe water results have been reported after treatment, village officials have said.
The EPA's recommendation was for the village to connect its waterlines to another source.
Village officials, however, maintained that the treated water was safe for residents and have requested that the state EPA recognize installation of ultraviolet lighting as an acceptable means of treatment for the bacteria, Carroll said.
The federal EPA recognizes UV lighting as an acceptable treatment, Carroll said.
Council also approved the hiring of two police reserves, David Murphy and Anthony Bingham, and an auxiliary officer, Brian McCrea.