Wednesday, November 16, 2005
The city approved Columbiana County's plan for enhanced 911 service.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Two city officials defeated in last week's election offered gracious words at Tuesday's council meeting.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, President of Council David Ventresco said, "I'd like to thank all those who voted and all those who ran."
People who put their name on the ballot and take part in the political arena, Ventresco said, "should be respected for what they do."
Alma Apicella, who was also defeated along with fellow at-large council members Nancy Cope and A. Frederick Vogel, thanked her supporters and the council members she has worked with in the last eight years. She welcomed the new council members to what she said is a very challenging job.
The four Republicans were defeated by a slate of Democrats after council and Perry Township agreed to eliminate their fire departments and form a new fire district to save money. The plan has been temporarily blocked in court.
Temporary budget
Cope said city Treasurer James Armeni is working on a temporary budget for the first three months of 2006. The city expects to have its lowest carryover balance in several years.
Council voted to give $5,000 to the comprehensive plan for the city that is being created through the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Officials said the city utility department earlier this year agreed to pay another $5,000 toward the planning costs.
Council passed legislation to begin charging a $750 fee to cover the cost of reviewing engineering or similar plans. The city has been paying the cost of the reviews. But city officials said that as development in the city has increased, they had to submit changes repeatedly to the engineering firm as they corrected poorly designed plans.
Under the legislation, the developers will be billed for any costs exceeding the initial $750.
Council held off passage of a revised ordinance that would cut the amount of time people can leave bagged garbage at the curb from 48 hours to 24 hours. Officials discovered that the 48-hour limit is also in a section of the city's housing code that will have to be changed to agree to with the new time limit.
Council also approved the Columbiana County plan for enhanced 911 telephone service. A majority of subdivisions approved the plan last week.
Council members will meet at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 to update the city's federal flood plan. The city's 1994 plan is outdated, and a new one must be approved by April 5, 2006. Without the plan, the city cannot get flood insurance.
wilkinson@vindy.com