The Salem City Council Monday night gave first reading approval to an $11 monthly increase in the cost for having a residential natural gas meter.
Finance Director Keli Roth says the charge is part of the overall monthly gas bill city residents pay.
“Gas rates need to be increased because the city is not bringing in enough money to keep up with infrastructure and gas needs for the whole community. Residential rates will go up $11 a month for meter fees. And their rates per-therm will stay the same.”
Roth says there will be smaller meter fee changes for business and industrial customers, but they will see an adjustment in their rate per therm for the purchase of natural gas. She doesn’t expect customers to feel the impact of the full increase this winter because the price of natural gas purchased by the city is down significantly which will be passed along to customers.
The council approved keeping a two-cent property tax levy to support building and maintenance projects for the Bryan Bennett Library. The additional levy will now be placed into the city’s overall property tax levy which will come back for final approval at the next meeting.
The council approved the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce utilizing Sweney Corner for a Halloween Trick or Treating program during Trick or Treat hours of six to eight on Tuesday evening, October 31st.
The council also approved the closure of the 100 block of East McMackin Street on Saturday, December 2nd, for the YMCA and Recreation Department’s Christmas program downtown. The 100 block of East McMackin will be used for food trucks.
Mayor Nic Farley named Chuck Lear to an opening on the Salem Historical Commission.
