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Land purchased to help improve water pressure in northeast Salem

SALEM — The Salem Utilities Commission agreed Thursday to purchase a 10th Street property next to the Highland Avenue water tank, enabling the department to improve water availability to the city’s northeast section in case of an emergency.

The commission briefly met in executive session to discuss the purchase before voting in open session to buy the .861-acre property for $65,000 effective immediately for immediate possession and use. City council had already agreed Tuesday to allow the commission to make the purchase after it was discussed and recommended by the Utilities Committee, which met before council.

During the committee meeting, it was explained that the purchase will allow the department to extend a water line from the Highland Avenue water tank, which receives pressure from the Stewart Road reservoir, and connect it to the line on 10th Street. There was no room on the right-of-way to extend the line, but the property gives the city plenty of room, including for a pump station in the future.

Due to growth in the northeast area of the city, there’s more risk to maintain the water pressure should there be an emergency, such as a fire. The new line can help increase fire protection for homes in the area of Pearce Circle and Stonecastle Trail.

Commission Chairman Robert Hodgson explained to the committee that a study showed that fire protection for the entire northeast area was unacceptable and they had to do something to address that, noting the room to install the new line will help make a larger volume of water available to the area.

Councilman Dave Nestic had questioned the cost for the property, with Hodgson explaining it was higher than the market in the area, but they felt it was fair. They had talked about acquiring the property previously but missed the opportunity when it was up for sale last time.

In other business, the commission learned that even though no formal announcement had been made, the ability for customers to pay their bills online went live this week and a handful discovered it on their own and paid their bill that way.

Customers can go to the city website at www.cityofsalemohio.org to access the new pay button, register for an account and be able to see payment history, make a payment, set up recurring payments or autopay. A $1.95 convenience fee will be charged by the company handling the online pay system to pay online. The money from the convenience fee does not go to the city.

The commission congratulated longtime worker Steve Grace on his retirement after 20 years with the city and offered appreciation for department workers after hearing a nice compliment from a customer about how they were treated.

The next commission meeting will be 4 p.m. Nov. 17.

mgreier@salemnews.net

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