CALCUTTA - In response to the Ohio Department of Transportation's concerns about a new intersection in Calcutta, St. Clair Township board trustees agreed to commit to 25 percent of the funding if needed in 2025.

Board member James Sabatini II explained that the board accepted the motion to commit 25 percent, "With the understanding that in the year 2025 based on the growth and traffic demands on that intersection, if there needs to be any improvements done at that time (the township will cover 25 percent) of the funding."

The agreement was conceived after ODOT expressed concerns that renovations to the Challenger Drive/state Route 170 intersection may not alleviate traffic problems. Per the agreement, Columbiana County will also commit to 25 percent, and ODOT will commit to 50 percent.

Renovations to the intersection are included as part of the Columbia Drive Project, which was last estimated at $2 million, with $750,000 coming from a state grant.

Sabatini said based on the level of service rating the intersection should work out fine. However, if the intersection drops below a "C" rating by 2025, "then this agreement will be in place for that," he said.

Board trustees will be sending a letter to ODOT regarding their participation in the agreement. St. Clair Township Fiscal Officer Deborah Dawson said the letter is necessary to move forward with the road access permit from ODOT.

In new business, board trustees approved a motion to extend permits for the Glenmoor/LaCroft sanitary sewer project phases I and II. The motion to extend permits to Sept. 1, 2010 was requested by the Columbiana County Water and Sewer Department in order to work inside the township right-of-way within 27 separate township roads.

The letter sent to board trustees from the Water and Sewer department stated that the sanitary sewer lines will connect to the existing sewer located on Dresden Avenue near 170 and McGuffey Drive. A copy of the final construction plans will also be submitted to the township.

In other business, six complaints have been filed with regards to a nuisance property on Birch Road. Trustee James Hall has agreed to inspecting the property. "None of the trustees have actually physically seen the sight," he said. Hall stated he has previously spoken with the owner of the property.

A monthly activity report for the St. Clair Police Department was submitted to the board by Police Chief Donald Hyatt. As of August, 2009, St. Clair responded to 1909 reports.

Board trustees agreed to pay bills in the amount of $302,031.84 during the regular meeting Tuesday. Dawson listed various expenses including a loan payment to JP Morgan Chase bank for McGuffey Drive and the third quarter payment for fire protection services for Glenmoor VFD as the reason for the inflated amount. "It's usually not that high," Dawson said.

The board also approved setting Halloween Trick or Treat times to 6-7 p.m. Saturday, October 31.

The St. Clair Township board of trustees will meet Tuesday, Oct. 13 and Tuesday, Oct. 27 at noon for regular meeting in the St. Clair administration building.