Columbiana, Salem officials sign contract

By D.a. Wilkinson

LISBON — Officials from Columbiana County and Salem have signed a contract that could help spur economic development.

County Engineer Bert Dawson told the county commissioners Wednesday he and city officials had finally reached an agreement on a project designed to provide better water service to five county facilities west of Lisbon.

The facilities are the county jail, the county dog pound, the Robert Bycroft School and Sheltered Workshop that are part of the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Tobin Center, which is a part of the Multi-County Juvenile Attention System.

The shelter, the school and the Tobin center have water wells, but Dawson said the facilities have no fire-prevention systems. The water that is pumped by the county is full of minerals. Although efforts are made to reduce the mineral content, the water corrodes pipes and water tanks, officials said.

Salem collects its water from above-ground runoff and sells surplus water to Washingtonville and Leetonia.

Dawson said he has completed an agreement with the city to provide water to the affected facilities for up to 40 years. The contract can be renewed in 10-year increments.

While the project will help eliminate the county problems, Dawson said he was excited about the possibility of economic growth along state Route 45 north of Lisbon. Local officials have long dreamed of expanding growth along the route.

Dawson said there is room for a company that could provide local jobs.

The engineer said the jail and other facilities that will benefit from the new pact use about 40,000 to 50,0000 gallons a year. The contract allows the county to buy up to 500,000 gallons a year.

“There’s a lot of room to grow,” he said.

The engineer thanked Salem Mayor Jerry Wolford and the city utilities department with helping forge the agreement. The city had wanted the county areas annexed to the city in return for water service.

Wolford said the agreement to improve water for the county facilities was “best for both sides.”

Construction on the waterline to the county buildings may begin next year, Dawson said. The estimated cost is $630,000 that would be repaid by the county with a no-interest loan over 30 years.

wilkinson@vindy.com