FRANKLIN SQUARE — Northwest Fire District residents in Salem Township will be asked this fall to approve more money for fire protection.

Salem Township Trustees agreed Tuesday to place a new additional 1-mill, five-year fire levy on the Nov. 2 ballot, as requested by the Winona Fire Department.

According to the levy analysis by the Columbiana County Auditor’s Office, if approved by voters, the proposed levy will generate $20,100 a year for the fire district, which covers properties in the northwest area of the township west of state Route 45 served by the Winona Fire Department.

For the owner of a home valued at $50,000, the additional cost will be $17.50 per year. For a $100,000 home value, the additional cost will be $35 per year. For a $150,000 home value, the additional cost will be $52.50.

“Now the work begins,” Jim Conser of the Winona Fire Department said.

The fire department will promote the levy since the proceeds will be used to help pay fire service costs in the district. This levy would be in addition to the levy already in place which currently pays for the fire service contract.

The township had requested the auditor certify three different amounts for the levy. Conser told trustees the fire department chose to go with the 1-mill option after looking at anticipated needs. Other options included a .50-mill levy which would have generated $10,000 per year and a .75-mill levy that would have generated $15,000 per year. All three options were additional levies, meaning all options would create a tax increase for property owners.

In other business, trustees agreed to place a .9-mill, five-year road levy renewal on the ballot which will generate $86,500 per year. As a renewal, the levy won’t cost taxpayers anymore than what they’re already paying.

“We need it,” Trustee Bill Heston said.

Old state Route 558 resident Patrick Kelton, who attended the meeting, said he was happy with road conditions in the township, but had an issue with ash buildup from the past winter on his road from the railroad underpass to a nearby farm, noting it creates channels when it rains. He asked if the ash buildup could be scraped down so the water will go into the ditch. He said he understands the township is busy now with preparing for chip & seal, but would be happy if it’s done before winter.

He also asked trustees who could be contacted about the condition of the railroad underpass, which he said is deteriorating. Road foreman Jason Entrikin said the railroad representatives have been there because they mark the underpass with an x. Constable Dan Valentine also said the last time it was inspected, they said it was solid.

Kelton brought up one more issue regarding trees cut down without being cleaned up by the gas company. He said his brother-in-law told him the gas company was told to cut down the trees by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because of upcoming work on the creek on old state Route 558.

Troy Rhoades, area manager for Ohio Edison, also attended the meeting and updated trustees on current activities. Tree trimming along distribution lines in Columbiana County is going on covering 170 square miles. He stressed that Ohio Edison only trims for the electric lines, not communication lines for phone or cable.

He also told them about a program for updating street lights to LED, noting the township has 13 in one housing development. Three options include an upfront cost of $205 per fixture, a monthly payment plan or an agreement to change lights to LED as they go out, which could take years.

He said there’s going to be some training opportunities for first responders possibly later this fall and next year for electrical safety during emergencies, which will include discussion about storm response and a demonstration on what can happen when something comes into contact with a live wire.

The next trustee meeting will be 7 p.m. July 13 at the administration building off of state Route 558 in Franklin Square.

mgreier@salemnews.net