Trending
CALCUTTA -- St. Clair Township is opting out of the state salt contract.
Trustee James Sabatini II, Fiscal Officer Deborah Dawson and Road Foreman Dave Smith Monday discussed their review of the township's road salt inventory, cost increase of salt and the budget. Following the discussion, they determined the township will opt of the State Road Salt Contract for 2026-2027, having enough salt in inventory to carry through the upcoming winter season.
Like every other municipality in Columbiana County that agreed earlier in year to the purchasing salt with a state salt contract, the township faced paying a price nearly three times as much as last year if they stayed with the contract, purchasing salt on the open market which could be more costly or relying on the amount of salt they have on hand, due to the county not receiving a bid in the first round of submitted bids and the bids that came in with a second invitation to bid was much higher than last year. Last year, year the township paid $58.72 per ton of salt, whereas this year the cost would be $151.85 per ton.
Sabatini said that after talking with Smith, they are confident that the 400 tons of salt they have will be enough for this upcoming winter.
Police Chief Brian McKenzie requested and was given approval to sell a 2014 Ford Explorer that is currently not in use by the department. The sale will be conducted by the acceptance of sealed bids due no later than 4 p.m. Aug. 10. The proceeds from the sale will go to the equipment line item or the drug fund.
Smith requested and was given approval for the sale of a David Brown Tractor and a 1998 International dump truck no longer in use by the road department.
The trustees approved an Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) resolution for preliminary consent legislation by the township for the closure of a portion Westfield Road for 120 days for state Route 30 bridge repair work on the bridge that crosses over the road.
A transient vendor application for Denver Caldwell, Edinburg, Pennsylvania, representative of Qualifying Homes for a no cost solar program, was approved.
The trustees also approved the adoption of the 2027 budget which shows a total tax budget of $3,837,640.30 for 2027.
Purchase orders totaling $41,040; blanket certificates totaling $4,269.44 and bills totaling $80,243.86 were approved for payment.
Minutes from the June 29 Board of Trustees meeting were approved as presented.
The St. Clair Township Board of Trustees meets every other Monday at 4 p.m. at The St. Clair Township Government Building, 15442 Pugh Road, Calcutta. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 27.