Salem hires for health agency

By D.a. Wilkinson

A councilman said that restarting the city health department would be a break-even proposal.

SALEM — City council took another step Tuesday toward reviving its health department by approving the hiring of Judith Sicilia of Salem, a retired infectious-control coordinator at Salem Community Hospital.

She will be paid $50 per hour up to 50 hours to help prepare the policies and procedures needed to revive the department.

Councilman Bret Apple of council’s finance committee said she likely will work less than 50 hours.

City officials closed the health department years ago in favor of contracting with the Columbiana County Health Department. But they are considering starting it again as a service to city residents.

Apple said that discussion indicated that “it was a commendable idea.”

A five-member board would oversee the department and hire a staff and a part-time doctor.

Fees collected by the department would go back into the operation.

Apple told council that grants may supplement the estimate of revenues, “but council should not look at this as a moneymaker. At best, it’s a break-even proposition.”

The city has until May 31 to make a final decision on whether to break away from the county health board.

In other action, Councilman Earl A. Schory II said he has had several suggestions in response to a proposal he made at the last council meeting.

Schory wondered if people would want to take part in community projects as part of the community service being urged by President Barack Obama. The councilman said he will discuss the ideas.

Council also approved the purchase a lot off U.S. Route 62 to create a utility corridor for undeveloped lands north of the city. No price was announced. Negotiations for such purchases are confidential. Mayor Jerry Wolford has been promoting economic development efforts to create jobs.

In other action, council gave the first of three readings needed to allow property owners outside the city to be able to tap into existing utility lines without annexing the property into the city.

wilkinson@vindy.com