The City of Salem now has a full-time animal control officer.
City Manager Annette Sola says Nikki Hernandez, who was already employed at the animal control facility, was promoted to the position in November.
“We do have an animal control officer out at the facility now,” Sola said, “and we are presently using the assistance of the Public Works Department on some of the after-hour calls or animals that are hit on the roadway, things that they can assist with getting picked up and disposed of properly.”
Sola says Hernandez has completed training that gives her all of the licensing needed to take care of animal control issues in the city.
The position was split out from the combined Code Enforcement-Animal Control position held by Dave Lusch until he retired in November.
The city has now combined the code enforcement job with building inspecting and plan and zoning. Jacob Washburn will begin work in that new position next Monday.