The Salem City Council Monday night moved forward on new security cameras for Bryan Memorial Park, three street resurfacing projects, and a gas line replacement program.
The council gave approval to a $13,000 security camera upgrade from the Security Alarm of Salem that will allow for up to 40 cameras to be placed in the Bryan Memorial Park area and will move the current eight-camera system to city hall to monitor the Main and Broadway intersection for trucks hitting the stop lights when making turns.
There are already eight cameras around the Salem Aquatic Center, the Inclusive Playground, and the bathrooms near the band stage. The expanded system will initially add three more cameras to the new shelter and sand volleyball area on the west side of the park. The shelter has had several incidents of vandalism in the short time since it has been in place.
The downtown camera system could be expanded to watch other areas downtown in addition to the stop lights. The lights are being constantly hit by truck drivers who don’t stop sometimes causing several thousand dollars in damage at a time.
Mayor Nic Farley noted while the camera upgrade was not budgeted, he feels the expense is justified to try and catch those who are causing damage.
The council agreed to use Build Illinois Funds for three resurfacing projects this summer. They are North Jefferson from East Schwartz to East Seneff, North College from 160 feet north of West Main to West Boone, and West Boone from 200 feet east of North College to North Broadway. Bids will now be sought for the work which is estimated to cost $493,000.
The council approved a $244,420 bid from USDI in Olney to remove the steel gas main and replace it with plastic on Circle Drive, Edgewood Road, Oak Tree, and Pine Tree. USDI’s bid was more than $100,000 underestimate.
Approval was given to move the Super Cruise Car Show on Saturday, September ninth, to an open field near Shelter Two at Bryan Memorial Park. Organizer Ken Carpenter feels the park is a better location because of the shade. The cruise of the vehicles will still take place through the downtown area.
The council approved the appointment of Amanda Hartley as deputy city clerk in the event City Clerk Tabatha Meador cannot be at a meeting or function.
