Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The mayor said the city hopes to get demolition funds to tear down more blighted homes than usual.
SALEM — City officials are planning to slightly tighten appropriations for 2009 as a precautionary measure.
Atty. Bret Apple, chairman of the finance committee, said Tuesday that the appropriations would be set at $3.85 million for 2009.
Salem’s 1 percent income tax brought in about $3.9 million in 2008 and $3.98 million in 2007.
The finance committee had met with city Auditor James Armeni to help determine the revenue. The estimate is slightly less than last year.
Apple said the estimate would take into consideration “business losses and potential tax losses.”
By law, the city cannot spend more than it takes in.
Since Tuesday was council’s last regular meeting this month, council will have to meet again to pass the measure. The city has been operating on a temporary budget since January.
In other action, Mayor Jerry Wolford said the city hopes to get demolition funds from a $1.5 million program open to all communities in Columbiana and Carroll counties. The program is designed to tear down blighted homes.
Wolford said the first grant should be announced around April 1.
The city normally tears down about six dilapidated homes a year. But Wolford said he hopes to demolish many more homes if Salem can get the funding.
In other discussion, Steve Andres, the city’s director of public service, told council that he had researched the law and discovered that in case of a major emergency, he would be in charge.
Councilman Clyde Brown said, “That’s fine.”
Brown said he had always been told that Pat Morrissey, the city’s planning and zoning officer, would be in charge in case of a disaster. Brown also introduced two revised ordinances for a first reading that clarify Andres’ duties.
Council gave the city’s water department permission to replace a force main at the Snyder Road sewage station. The line services residents, businesses and Kent State University’s Salem Campus.
The cost of the repairs hasn’t been determined. The engineering is expected to cost about $144,000.
During the public speaking portion of the meeting, Robert Woods of Perry Township complained that he moved to the area 38 years ago and is still paying surcharges of 25 percent on city water rates and 50 percent on city sewer rates.
Councilman Earl A. Schory II said the surcharges were designed to get people to annex into the city.
Steve Bauman of Salem complained that truckers going through town were improperly using a motorized brake that saves wear on their truck’s brakes but make loud noises and can damage roads.
City Law Director Brooke Zellers said use of the brakes is illegal but police have to see them in use to make an arrest.
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