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SALEM -- The city parks director announced his impending retirement in the parks commission's August meeting.
Parks Director Shane Franks announced he will be retiring at the end of November. Franks said that he has three weeks of vacation time he will be using during his final month, so while his official last day will not be until Nov. 22, his last full day in the office is currently due to be Nov. 3. Franks has held the position since 2017 when he was named interim director, before being formally named to the position in 2018, prior to which he served as recreation supervisor. Franks said he will give a formal statement regarding his retirement during his final commission meeting as parks director in October.
Frank's work ethic and the impact he has had on the department were praised by all in attendance, with Parks Commission Chairman John Panezott noting that it is "going to take a lot," for Frank's successor "to even come close to what Shane does," and Parks Foreman Jim Grimm describing his time working with Franks as "a true pleasure."
"I just want to say that Shane has been such an asset and made such great changes in the park, really improving the cooperativeness throughout the city with the parks department and with the public, and I really appreciate it," said Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey.
Dickey's sentiments were echoed by Parks Commission Vice Chairmen Lucile Karnofel, who said "I've appreciated all the things you've done for the parks and for our city, Shane. You made a tremendous, tremendous change in all our parks. I hope you enjoy your retirement."
The commissioners will seek a potential successor to Franks through the civil service commission, with the intention of having them work with Franks during his final months to learn about the position from him and gain experience prior to his departure from the department.
The meeting also saw further discussion of several ongoing issues facing the department, including the question of how best to combat ongoing algae bloom and sediment buildup issues at the duck pond at Waterworth Memorial Park, discussed extensively at the commission's previous meeting.
At that meeting, while the commissioners ultimately decided to table further discussion of the matter to give time to consider all the potential options, the commissioners were in favor of pursuing an expanded grant application that included further renovation through parks and recreations grant sources rather than further attempts to secure natural resource grant funding for dredging as it was considered more likely to receive funding.
Franks said that should the commission still be in favor of pursuing this option, while the application would be more likely to receive approval than a proposal for just dredging, it would be an extremely costly project. Franks estimated a full proposal to dredge the pond as well as install a new gazebo and bridge and rock barriers would cost upwards of $160,000 or more given the estimates the department previously received.
Commission member Lori Colian said that while it would be "a shame" to do so due to the age of the pond, the department may want to consider research into the permitting process and cost of completely filling in the pond if the department is unable to secure funding for the necessary work to restore the pond. Karnofel agreed that filling the pond may be more feasible and cost effective than a dredging project, noting it is only a few feet deep in its current state.
The commissioners all expressed their appreciation for the pond and its history, and their reluctance to abandon it, but agreed it can not be left in its current state. Panezott suggested the department pursue grant funding through the expanded application if able but noted that if none can be secured the department may be left with no option but to fill in the pond.
"If we can't get grants, and we can't get the money, and we get complaints about how ugly it's looking, our only alternative would be to fill it in," said Panezott.
Commissioners ultimately decided to pursue potential grant funding for restoration of the pond in addition to seeking potential assistance in finding resources and funding from city development partners including the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association with the understanding that alternative measures may need to be taken if funding cannot be secured.
Also discussed was the discovery of a recently reopened leak within the concrete at the Centennial Park Pool.
"It seems to be when the pump for the pool is running. There's a line coming from the pump room to the pool under the concrete. I think it's a straight shot that I assume attaches there, I don't think it would go all the way around, I don't see why it would. But there's a chamber in there that's under pressure that blows out as part of the circulation of the pool. That concrete's not in very good shape," explained Grimm.
Franks said that he believed the leak to be in the same location as a similar issue the department encountered in 2021 when a drain plug within the system calcified and necessitated replacement. At that time American Leak Detection of Youngstown was contracted to conduct an inspection of and repair the system, with Franks noting that there had been no issues with leakage last year, nor for the majority of this year's pool season.
"The water is coming from the same location it has been for the last several years, and we thought when we had the expert come in, we had found that actual leak and corrected it," said Franks.
Franks said that the leak had begun within the last two to three weeks, and that while it could be a coincidence, this period of time coincided with the recent completion of backflow valve installation and the replacement of a pool filter. Franks requested permission to contact American Leak Detection to conduct another inspection of the matter and determine the source of the leak for certain.
"You don't know if that leak is 2 feet deep or 12 feet deep, if that's where the leak is coming from," Franks said.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to contract American Leak Detection for the inspection.
Franks also announced the Dave Adams Field dedication ceremony, in memory of Adams who passed in January, and served the parks department as a laborer and mechanic for 32 years, will be held 11 a.m. Sept. 16 at Centennial Park. Franks said that the department had remained in contact with the Adams family regarding the dedication and he is hopeful that many members of the family will be in attendance. Franks said the entire community is welcome to attend the ceremony.
"I just wanted to put it out there that this is actually happening and I'm glad that it is. It will be a great way to honor Dave," said Franks.
Franks also announced that several of the department's recent requests to the Salem Community Foundation for funding from funds designated for the improvement and maintenance of Salem's parks including the Ralph J. Smith Memorial Fund and Kenneth U. and Ruth H. Wirtz Memorial Funds had been approved. The approvals total $67,466.44 for park improvements including the purchase of two tractors for $31,235.44; the purchase and installation of lights for the tennis courts at Waterworth Memorial Park for $10,250; security camera upgrades for several locations throughout the parks district for $18,181; and the purchase of material for drainage ditches at Centennial Park and Waterworth Memorial Park for $4,300 and $3,500, respectively.
The parks commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Sept. 27.
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