The Salem City Council has approved a new three-year contract with DBS Disposal of Farina for residential garbage pickup.
DBS was the lowest of three bids. However, their bid was 75-cents per residence higher than their current bid.
City Manager Rex Barbee after the meeting said the council will have to look at making an adjustment on utility bills to reflect the higher expense.
Mayor Pro Tem Nic Farley and Councilman Jim Koehler both said they had issues with DBS, but they have mostly been worked out. Koehler would like the company to better control liquid waste coming out of the trucks on their pick up routes.
The council approved a $15,470 contract with Haier Plumbing of Okawville for camera services to scope a troublesome sewer line that includes a sinkhole in the front lawn of Salem Community High School. Public Works Director John Pruden says it is the first step to try to make repairs.
“Everything north of the high school, we are gonna teleview from the highschool pretty much up through Hardacre Road. There are a few unknown sections and we are trying to do some educated engineering before diving in with the backhoes and start replacing.”
The work was included in this year’s city budget.
The council approved a new utility vehicle for the Waste Water Treatment Plant from Little Egypt Golf Cars for $6,992.
The council approved a planning commission recommendation to allow Paul Garrison to operate his ‘Smokey Birds’ vending truck from 1107 South Broadway near Squibb Tank. The property includes a garage that Garrison can park the vehicle during cold winter weather. There will also be picnic tables available, but no wait staff. Garrison will offer breakfast, BBQ and sandwiches.
The council appointed Gary Hahn as a new member of the Bryan Bennett Library Board.
