SALEM — The Perry Township Fire Department is using American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy new battery-powered life-saving tools, enabling firefighters to reach victims quicker.

“With this, you just grab it and go to work,” Fire Chief Doug Messimer said.

Township trustees approved a resolution Monday for the purchase of a Genesis battery-operated spreader, cutter, ram, ram accessory kit, batteries and other items for use with the tools for $40,062.

“It’s just going to be for the betterment of the community,” Messimer said.

The fire department tried out the battery-powered tools during a work session and firefighters saw the advantages. He said they found the new equipment will be easier to use, also making access quicker. The previous equipment was hydraulic with hoses which could sometimes prove challenging in trying to reach a wreck down over a hill or in a hard-to-reach area.

The new equipment will be more reliable, too, since the equipment being replaced is 20 years old.

Trustee Chairman Steve Bailey said this is getting the department modernized.

In order to make the purchase, trustees had two other resolutions they had to approve first related to use of ARPA funds. In the first one, trustees elected to use the standard allowance and its presumption of revenue loss of under $10 million due to the public health emergency and to use the amount authorized to fund government services. The other resolution authorized them to increase the purchase threshold to up to $50,000 without requiring bids, which is the norm in Ohio.

As Bailey explained, the ARPA money can be used for just about anything.

The trustees also approved the purchase of an Altair carbon monoxide detector for $853 for the fire department.

In other business, trustees reviewed the quarterly balances in funds and looked at expenses so far. Fiscal Officer John Volio said “as far as fund balances, we’re in pretty good shape.”

Under new business, trustees filled the full-time police officer vacancy created by former Chief Mike Emigh’s retirement by hiring Brandon Littell of Howland effective Monday at the rate of $21 per hour. Littell had been with the department part-time the past six months.

Zoning Officer Jeff Christopher reported issuing six permits the last two weeks for two fences and a deck on Stewart Road, a reroof on West Pine Lake Road, an addition on Country Club Drive and siding on Manor Drive.

He agreed to send a second letter to two property owners who failed to get permits for building projects, for a roof and windows on 12th Street and a shed on West Pine Lake Road. The cost will be double for the permits since they failed to get them as required.

— approved the purchase of backhoe tires from Salem Tire for $3,041.

— approved a motion to have a new 8 foot by 70 foot concrete apron poured in front of the North fire station off of North Ellsworth for $4,000.

— approved the purchase of 2000 rounds of ammo for the police department for $825 and 2000 non-marking cartridges for training for $559.

The next meeting will be 4 p.m. April 25.

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