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SALEM -- The parks commission approved a proposal to upgrade the department's equipment and to install a wireless credit card terminal at Centennial Park.
While it was initially hoped a working wi-fi feed for the previously discussed Square Credit Card Terminal could be obtained from the top of the city water tower, the city's I.T. Contractor Victor Trimmer said that it was infeasible, as there is no clear line from the tower to the pool house that wasn't blocked by trees. Trimmer suggested the center pole as a potential alternative installation point for the necessary equipment as there are no obstructions present between it and the pool house and already has much of the necessary infrastructural elements in place due to the park's camera equipment being mounted there.
However, to do so would require equipment upgrades as Trimmer said that there were currently no ports available, and that the system's wireless capacity was currently maxed out. The proposed upgrade would allow for wi-fi to be installed and available at the pool house and an additional port at the pool house. The cost of the proposed upgrade was $3,738, and following the initial investment would carry no monthly price for internet service. It would also allow for a camera to be installed with the additional port at the pool house at the cost of equipment and install.
Following questions regarding the cost of adding additional cameras at several locations across the park, Trimmer offered to provide a new quote, estimating the cost of the necessary upgrades at approximately $7,000. Trimmer said that he would compile a second quote for the cost of acquiring and installing the additional cameras and equipment necessary for the expansion to the department's camera system, rather than completely revising the original quote so that work could begin while necessary supplies were still available. Following discussion, the commission approved the initial quote.
The hire of several new employees were also approved including: Recreation Supervisor Derek Patterson, Park Laborer Kaiden Blair and Lake Attendants Jeff Greenfield, Jim Barton, and Joe Armeni.
Also discussed was the recent vandalism of the Storybook Trail at Waterworth Memorial Park in which the plexiglass coverings on five of the kiosks were smashed. Parks Director Shane Franks said that three juveniles had been identified as responsible, noting that a parent of one of the juveniles involved had learned of the incident and contacted the police department. Franks said that the other two juveniles had been accused of participating in the vandalism by the juvenile in question.
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate a parent doing the right thing like that, and I want to say thank you for doing the right thing, and I'm sure the community of Salem is appreciative of that gesture," said Franks.
Franks also announced that the department's annual Easter egg hunt will be held April 8 at Waterworth Memorial Park for children 10 and under beginning at 11 a.m., rain or shine, co-sponsored as always by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Stouffer Realty. Franks said that the department had over 10,000 eggs to hide and thanked the Koinonia Sunday School class from First Christian Church for stuffing all the eggs for the hunt.
"I just want to say a personal thanks, they came in and did all the egg stuffing, and they even had enough chocolate leftover to fill all of the eggs after they had theirs," joked Franks.
Franks also announced that the Storybook Trail kickoff event had been rescheduled for Apr. 22 from noon to 2 p.m. due to the anticipated severe storms and that Salem City Lake will be opening April 11. Season passes for the lake will be available at the park's office.
The parks commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Apr. 25.