SALEM — Perry Township Trustee Chair Steve Bailey said last week he doesn’t foresee any issues at all this year with the budget.

“I think financially we’re doing well,” he said.

Bailey made the comments after the financial report by Fiscal Officer John Volio who said the end-of-year balances or carryover for all funds totaled $1,743,906 which includes a carryover of $361,759 in the general fund from 2021.

He said the end-of-year balance for all funds totaled $1.57 million for 2020. That means 2021 was $173,838 ahead of 2020, with $96,803 in the funds and an additional $77,035 in American Rescue Plan funds. Bailey said the township was able to do a lot of chip and seal last year and departments are getting what they need to update equipment.

“We’re in pretty good shape,” he said.

Trustees approved estimated revenues of $1,425,284 for 2022 and appropriations of $1,251,092 for 2022.

During the meeting, Trustee Vice Chairman Jim Armeni reported that he learned the township will have to pick just one road project to submit for funding through a grant by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Apparently ODOT received $138 million worth of projects and only budgeted $8 million for the program in question. The original township request included a handful of roads, but will have to be pared down.

Bailey suggested trustees think about what to do with a $1,500 grant from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council. Last year the money was donated to the Salem summer concerts program. He suggested donating this year to the Salem Community Pantry or the Banquet. He said they can decide at the next meeting, which will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 24.

In other business, Armeni said the road department excavated numerous loads of debris from the area of the Quaker hall and Chestnut Grove Road and trimmed some trees around the township.

Trustee Tony Ieropoli read from the most recent fire report, which included a total of 52 calls, including two building fires and 30 medical assists. The department has 16 firefighters, including two new firefighters who are set to undergo training.

Zoning/Nuisance Inspector Jeff Christoper reported three permits issued since the last meeting, with two for fences and one for siding. He reported the township website at perrytownshipsalemoh.org has been updated and includes fillable forms for zoning applications and the new Community Reinvestment Area program, which allows for a tax break on new construction and renovations.