Local News – Friday, October 1st, 2021

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Thursday at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from Skip Dahms requesting a street closure on Fourth Street between McArthur and North Henderson for October 9th for a Kids Fall Carnival. This was approved. Also approved was Bill No. 3492 an ordinance amending the annual budget beginning July 1st, 2020 and appropriating funds from the Electric, Sanitation and Airport Fund. This bill increases the total anticipated revenue from $12,860,186.00 to $13,544,506.27, the anticipated expenditures from $12,791,822.00 to $13,476,139 and the Intergovernmental Transfers from $2,197,462.00 to just over $2.4 million dollars. The fund adjustment for the Electric Fund was due to the February weather event; the Sanitation Fund was due to a corrected billing cycle and the Airport Fund was due to a grant awarded for an airport project spanning fiscal years. City Administrator Ray Walden reported the City Wide Yard Sale will be held Saturday with maps being available at the City Administration office as well as local convenience stores. Fall clean up weeks will be October 11th to the 15th, and citizens that have questions about what can be placed curbside can call 1-800-926-3953. City offices will be closed on Monday, October 11th in observance of Columbus Day. The board approved the Trick and Treat hours being held on October 31st from 6:00-8:00 in the evening. Mayor Kim Steelman reported the filling of the City Clerk and Finance Director positions are moving along with an announcement soon. She is suggesting the city get a text alert service that citizens can subscribe to that would create another form of communication. She is working with Code Enforcement Officer Jarrod Brown on updating some policy and ordinances and will bring suggestions for changes to the board. Public Works Director Mark Nash updated the alderman on several projects. The city crews will be filling and sealing cracks on city streets the next couple of weeks. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge gave an update on the Federal Home Loan Bank project through Riverways Federal Credit Union, that will rehab 25 homes. It will be announced in December. She is optimistic about this grant due to recent contact with the funder. The Bank of Salem sponsored the Federal Home Loan Bank $15,000 project for the Salem R-80 Construction Trade program and the winner will be determined by online voting that will open October 4th. There have been three homes that have participated in the Demolition Program with another seven homeowners that have expressed interest in participating. The Aldermen then each gave a report on items that staff needed to look into. Steelman reminded the board that when contacted by citizens they should direct them to contact the appropriate city department. The board approved applying for a Law Enforcement grant for $7,500 to install lockable gun racks in the patrol cars. The board then went into closed session.