LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners on Wednesday approved the proposed annexation of more than 67 acres of Perry Township land into the city of Salem for the Salem school district’s new K-8 building.

The resolution said that upon receipt of a petition and an annexation agreement, the commissioners are required bylaw to grant the annexation.

The city of Salem and Perry Township reached an annexation agreement related to this particular annexation, which was submitted to commissioners along with the petition from the Salem school district, the lone owner of the property to be annexed. No public hearing was required.

The property in question is already owned by the school district and is vacant, located on the former Whinnery Farm to the east of homes on Fairview Avenue and south of homes on the south side of Merle Road. Southeast Elementary School, which currently houses district fifth and sixth graders, is located on the north side of Merle Road.

Per the annexation agreement dated July 14 between the city of Salem and Perry Township, the city will receive any and all property tax and income tax associated with the parcel moving forward from the date the annexation is approved by commissioners. Both the city and the township indicated the annexation will benefit their mutual interests.

The groundbreaking for the school construction is set for Aug. 20, according to Salem City Schools Superintendent Sean Kirkland.

In other business, Commissioner Tim Ginter extended an invitation to area residents to go to the county fair, which runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Lisbon.

“We encourage everyone to visit the fair and support families and young people. Lots of educational information there,” he said, commenting that he learned something new when he attended the fair.

Both he and Commissioner Roy Paparodis noted the hot weather this week for the fair, with Paparodis adding, “drink some water.”

Commissioners gave permission to county Engineer Bert Dawson to advertise for bids for the bow string arch bridge rehab project for the historic bridge located at the fairgrounds and traversed by fairgoers to access the fairgrounds from the parking off of Saltwell Road. The bid opening is set for 9 a.m. Aug. 27.

When contacted about the project, Dawson said the bridge is safe and this is just a precautionary measure to strengthen the more than 100-year-old historic span, with plans calling for steel beams to be installed underneath the deck for further support.

During the meeting, Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District Program supervisor Duane Nickell thanked Ginter and Paparodis for attending the recent Pasture Walk at his farm, saying it means a lot to the staff and their board. The event was presented by the Eastern Ohio Grazing Council in cooperation with SWCDs from Columbiana, Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson, Stark and Tuscarawas counties and the OSU Extension.

In other matters, the commissioners approved depository agreements as recommended by county Treasurer Bryan Blakeman, who attended the meeting in case of any questions, and gave permission to hunt on the county’s County Home Road property to Bradyn and Blake Quales.

The next meeting of county commissioners will be 9 a.m. Aug. 6 in the downtown courthouse.

mgreier@mojonews.com