Fire pact’s utility deal will conclude Aug. 1

By D.A. Wilkinson

Councilman Earl A. Schory II returned to council.

SALEM — The Quaker Community Fire District is either dead or close to it, depending on which councilman is talking.

Perry Township Trustee Larry Parker asked council Tuesday night whether an agreement that was part of the fire district pact between the city and township was still in effect.

Parker told council members some township residents planned to have a meeting in late May to discuss getting sewer service.

In 2005, council and the trustees had agreed to form a new fire district that would serve both the city and the township. The plan would have eliminated the city fire department.

The State Employment Relations Board later ruled the city could not dissolve the fire department in midcontract.

Parts of the district agreement allowed for Perry Township homeowners to get utilities without annexation into the city.

Parker said the township is now interested in getting sewer service from Columbiana County.

Last year, at the urging of Earl A. Schory II, a lawyer, council voted to repeal some of the remaining legislation to make sure the district was gone. “It’s dead and gone,” Schory said.

Councilman Justin Palmer said the utilities issues from the fire pact will end Aug. 1.

Mayor Jerry Wolford, who was a Perry trustee during the fire district pact, declined to comment.

The meeting also marked Schory’s return to council.

He had been elected two years ago. But at the end of 2007, he resigned in order to qualify for public retirement medical benefits at lower cost than private coverage. He’s had various medical problems.

Dan Nye of Salem, who had been named to fill Schory’s seat since January, resigned.

This will be Schory’s third term on council. He previously served as law director.

In other action, council gave a first reading to new wording in legislation that would give the city more power to raze dilapidated homes.

The language says the city can take action if the owner has “failed or refused to improve the structure” after orders from city officials.

wilkinson@vindy.com