News – Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday evening. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved the resolution certifying the Municipal Election results, followed by an oath of office for newly elected officials Mayor Greg Parker, two-year term; East Ward Alderman Nathan Kinsey, two-year term; and West Ward Alderwoman Catherine Dent, two-year term. The board then elected Alderman Rick Letchworth as president. Mayor Parker’s reappointments to various municipal bodies, including the Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustments, Utility Committee, Parks and Recreation, Enhanced Enterprise Zone, and Airport Board, were approved. Krista Deluca provided the audit presentation for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2025. Due to spending more than $750,000 in federal funding, the city had received an additional audit, what is known as a single-audit. Within the independent auditor’s report on compliance with federal programs, there were no findings, of which Deluca commended the city. The city had received an unmodified opinion, which means the financial statements were fairly stated. The audit showed the city’s total assets are $40,729,000 and total liabilities are $10,852,000. The total net position for the city is $30,662,000. The electric fund showed an increase in net position of $1.6 million, while the water fund showed an increase of $915,000. Moving on, the board approved the request for street closure along 4th Street for the Art in the Parking Lot event Sept. 26th from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening from Tana Kettner of the Salem Area Arts Council. The board also approved Brandon Snyder for the Salem Housing Authority. Parker read a proclamation recognizing the impact and contributions of the Salem Public Library, declaring Library Week from April 19th through April 25th. The board approved amending its previous motion from Midstate Pipeline for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and its FEMA mitigation project, along with a resolution approving a contract for the control panel improvements. The board approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept and execute an access easement from HMH Properties, LLC. for permanent access and utility purposes, and the lease of the former water pre-treatment building between HMH Properties, LLC. and the city. The board then approved for staff to pursue the sale of surplus equipment on Purple Wave. Under bids, the board approved a bid from Rommel Lock and Alarm for $14,250 for a 360-degree camera system to be installed at the city park and monitored by the Salem Police Department Dispatch. The board approved a bid from Roberts-Judson at a cost of $5,421.27 to replace the front door, office windows, and kennel windows of the Salem Animal Shelter. Police Chief Joe Chase reported the Department of Agriculture has inspected the shelter and given it a perfect score. The board approved a bid from Resolve IT to continue its services to the city for another year, the cost of which has been budgeted at $7,500. Two change orders for the Wastewater Treatment Plant were also approved, one to extend the contract for the Phase 2A project to accommodate for the delay in delivery of pump equipment, and another to elevate a control panel at a cost of $9,428 for FEMA mitigation. Finance Director Stacey Houston reported the total sales tax revenues collected for Fiscal Year 2026 are $3,708,625, up from last year 2.7%. The ending total of all funds is approximately $17 million. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported 60 fire hydrants are being maintained and repainted across the east side of the city. A culvert near Phil-Mart’s drive through has caved in. The cost to replace the culvert will be quite high. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be April 28th and will be open to the public.