Council mulls creek dredging

By D.a. Wilkinson

A new councilman will be named next year.

SALEM — Council ended 2008 by hearing a request to dredge Buttermilk Run.

Ron Teal, a representative of Butech Bliss of Salem, which makes advanced metal processing equipment, made the request on behalf of his employer.

The creek that flows along Pennsylvania Avenue in the city’s industrial park has flooded before and damaged facilities.

Steve Andres, the city’s service director, said that the project is on his list of needed capital improvement projects for 2009.

The estimated cost of the work is $120,000.

Andres said he had examined the creek with an engineer. The creek is small and V-shaped but should be 20 feet wide to avoid flooding, according to the engineer.

But it will be late winter before any decision is made on the project. Council voted unanimously to enact appropriations for the first three months of 2009.

The general fund, which funds most operations, will be $1.8 million. Other operating funds will cost $6.6 million.

Spending for the rest of the year will be decided by the end of March.

As part of the proposed capital improvements, the street department had wanted a lift to work on vehicles, at a cost of $5,000. Andres said the city had an offer under which the company will put the lift on a base and city workers will do the wiring and other installation work. That will drop the price to $3,400.

Justin Palmer, chairman of council’s finance committee, urged council to pursue a campaign to encourage people to vote for an increase in the city’s 1 percent income tax to fund such capital improvements.

However, Palmer has announced he will resign from council Jan. 1 to serve as a legislative assistant to Congressman-elect John Boccieri of New Middletown in Washington.

Palmer said he would continue to keep his residence in Salem.

Patty Colian, secretary for the Salem-Perry Democrats, said the group cannot meet to name a replacement for Palmer’s at-large seat for at least 10 days after the resignation.

She added that Atty. Bret Apple was considering seeking the post.

wilkinson@vindy.com