The West Salem Village Board met last week to address several important issues, including the planned closure of the West Salem Senior Center on September 30th due to financial constraints. The Senior Center, operated by the Edwards County Council on Aging and housed in a village-owned building leased rent-free, has faced challenges that led to this decision. Residents and Trustee Aaron Winter attended the council on aging’s meeting on August 20th in an attempt to reverse the closure, but their efforts were unsuccessful. It was noted that the Albion Senior Center will continue to operate.
During the August 25th village board meeting, trustees approved a payment of $37,002 to Followell Construction for the nearly completed pickleball and tennis/volleyball courts, which are awaiting striping. The project is funded by a state grant, the West Salem Development Association, and a donation from the Simms family.
In other financial matters, the board adopted an ordinance to raise water rates for the first time in over a decade. Resident base rates will now increase to $15.50 plus $8.35 per 1,000 gallons, resulting in a minimum bill of $24.85. Nonresident base rates will rise to $31 plus $16.70 per 1,000 gallons, with a minimum bill of $47.70. Customers can expect to see these new rates reflected in their September bills.
The board also approved the use of $83,434 from investment CDs to pay down the fire truck loan and granted a $1 hourly raise to utility worker Mike Clark after he obtained his Class D water operator license. The board approved the Fall Fun Festival for October 16th on Village Square, sponsored by Love West Salem Community Outreach.
Mayor Jeffrey Bradham reported that the August 16th West Salem Chowder event was a success, thanking the chowder committee, the West Salem Development Association, the utility department, and all volunteers involved in organizing the event.
During public comments, Mitch Pflum, owner of Champion Liquidation & Warehousing, introduced his new business located in the former Champion Laboratories building, which offers boat and RV storage and sells pallets of goods. The business is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The board announced that bulk trash pickup is scheduled for October 16th. Residents are reminded to place materials in weatherproof containers and wrap mattresses in plastic.
The next village board meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on September 22nd at Village Hall
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