PERRY TOWNSHIP — Several roads will be repaired at no cost to the township.

Township Trustee Tony Ieropoli reported Monday he had been in talks with the Columbiana County Engineer’s Office regarding the township roads paved last year, which he noted have already begun to experience cracks including Manor Drive, Old Farm Road, Brookview, Highland Avenue, Highland East, and Highland West. Ieropoli said that he had surveyed the roads with a representative of the county and argued that the alternate paving methodology that had been employed the year prior was responsible for the roads deteriorating so quickly and the township should not be responsible to pay for the repairs. Ieropoli said that as a result the county would allow the use of the county’s equipment and supplies for the repairs at no cost.

“I told them about the cracks and showed them to them and I told them that we shouldn’t have to pay for that because they were trying something new. So, we came to an agreement they would give us the tar machine and tar for free, and they’d try to free up a couple guys to help,” said Ierepoli.

Ierepoli said that the repairs were planned for some time next week as early as Monday.

Other financial matters included the approval of appropriations increases of $500 in the machinery, equipment, and furniture line item of the Special Levy-Police Safety Forces Fund; $300 in the social security line item of the Police District Fund; and $550 in the training services line item of the Enforcement and Education Fund.

Chairman Steve Bailey said that the Safety Forces Fund appropriations were to cover the township’s insurance deductible for the repairs of the township cruiser that hit a deer, the Police District Fund appropriations for were social security expenses, and the Enforcement and Education Fund appropriations were for Officer Jon Preston Straney to attend active shooter training.

Other business included the approval of the purchase of two new portable digital radios for the police department for $3,174.28, to replace the current units which Bailey said could longer be serviced due to their age.

During his report Bailey said that while the police department was currently at four full-time officers, one of the part-time officers is looking to move full time, and that he was hopeful they could fill the remaining full-time slot soon, “within a couple months.” Bailey also said that Officer Brandon Littell should be returning from his leave of absence for service with the National Guard.

Trustee Jim Armeni said that the fire department had received an Elks grant and that while he wasn’t sure of exactly how much the grant award is, the funds would be used for equipment expenses. Armeni also said that the department was continuing their training sessions with other area fire departments, and that they would be having another training session with the Winona Fire Department, either on Thursday or next Thursday.

Armeni also said he would be attending the Columbiana County Health Advisory Board meeting in September because one of the board members had passed away and as part of the County Township Association, the township has a vote in the appointment of a replacement.

Zoning Officer Jeffrey Christoper said that he had approved five permits so far this month and that the zoning department was receiving a “steady stream” of applications, primarily for roof and window replacement projects. Christopher also said he was still having issues with contractors from out of the area beginning work without the proper permits. Christoper said that they seem to be learning that the township does not have a building department, and not realizing permits are still required through the zoning department despite recent efforts to increase awareness that the township is zoned.

Following the trustees’ meeting the Zoning Appeals Board met briefly to name long-serving board members Jim Newman and Dan Bowers as board chairman and vice chairman, respectively. There were no other items on the meeting agenda.

The board of trustees will meet next at 4 p.m. Aug. 28.