Utility workers to take pay freeze

By D.A. WILKINSON

wilkinson@vindy.com

SALEM

Money was a major topic at Salem City Council’s meeting Wednesday.

Don Weingart, superintendent of the city’s utilities, said the utility department workers will take a one-year pay freeze.

The workers will get $525 each for agreeing to the arrangement. The department has 22 workers, including 16 in a union.

Patty Colian of Salem complained about the city’s providing $10,000 to the Salem Area Industrial Development Corp., which is expected to be a vehicle to help economic growth.

“I think the $10,000 is inappropriate,” she said. “I think it’s a slap in the face of all the citizens of Salem.”

She said that funding the city should come first.

In other action, council gave the first of three needed readings to accept the annexation of 99 acres in Perry Township in Columbiana County and Green Township in Mahoning County into the city.

The Columbiana County commissioners had approved the annexation, which is being challenged in court.

Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court said the city can have two readings of the ordinance for passage but not the third and final until the case is resolved.

Council also gave readings to four separate ordinances that, when passed, would allow bed and breakfasts to operate in the city. The city has no hotel or motel.