During the April 28th meeting, the West Salem Village Board discussed several important topics and upcoming plans. A representative from the Rural Community Assistance Program will attend the June board meeting to present findings from a water rate study and recommend potential rate increases. The study, analyzing five years of data, suggests that water rates may need to rise to cover increasing costs—the last increase occurred in 2013.
In other business:
The board approved the fiscal year 2026 budget for the village.
The liquor ordinance was amended to permit retail and gas stations to sell alcoholic beverages, with Ordinance 2025-03 now posted on the village website.
A resolution was approved supporting America 250, the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
The board also approved a resolution for the West Salem Farmers’ Market, which will be held Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon from May through September on the village square.
The West Salem Development Association presented a $5,000 check to support the Mill Pond Park project.
Mayor Jeffrey Bradham delivered the “State of the Village” address, highlighting accomplishments over the past year, including the recent fire truck referendum, the addition of three firefighters, and completed infrastructure projects funded by grants—such as a water service line lead inventory (no lead pipes found) and sewer lagoon improvements.
The village launched a new website last June, which is on track to exceed 10,000 page views in its first year. Online services now include credit card payments and automatic debit options. The mayor expressed confidence that the village will finish the year with a balanced budget, spending less than its income.
The Edwards County Council on Aging confirmed it will continue operating all centers, including the West Salem senior center, so the village decided not to provide additional financial support at this time.
Newly elected officials George Gerlach, Royce Jones, and Sarah Orrel took their oaths of office. Mayor Bradham appointed new committees:
Finance: Gerlach (chair), Jones, Aaron Winter
Water and Sewer: Jerry Bradham (chair), Orrel, Gerlach
Streets and Alleys: Karl August Case (chair), Jerry Bradham, Orrel
Property and Buildings: Winter (chair), Case, Jones
Playgrounds and Parks: Orrel (chair), Jerry Bradham, Winter
Public Safety: Jones (chair), Case, Gerlach
The outgoing trustee, Chris Ray, was honored with a proclamation recognizing his service.
Updates and upcoming announcements are available on the village website at WestSalemil.com. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on May 19 at Village Hall, located at 106 E. South Street.
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