SALEM – City council approved modifications to the city’s fence regulations in its meeting Tuesday.

Two ordinances modifying section 1147.04 of chapter 1147 part eleven, title three, section 1194.01 of chapter 1194 part eleven, title seven of the codified ordinances of the city of Salem respectively both received their third and final readings, with council voting unanimously to pass both with the emergency clause meaning they will take effect immediately rather than having a 30-day waiting period from passage.

First read at the Jan. 6 council meeting, the updated regulations now mandate that all fencing located along adjacent lot lines shall be constructed so that either the face of the fence is on the property line, or the face of the fence is at least three feet from the property line, and any areas set back three feet or more from the property line, which could become enclosed by other similarly located fences must provide at least one gate for access and maintenance; a written agreement between neighboring property owners that they will share a fence wall and the responsibilities that come with it will be submitted to the zoning department when applying for a new construction permit; and a property survey must be completed by the property owner and shared with the zoning department prior to building a new fence.

These changes, which were discussed at length in the Jan. 25 Residential Committee meeting, are intended to address issues with fences being built without appropriate space between for maintenance of the property line, or fences being built with a shared wall without a formal agreement for a shared wall between neighbors which has led to fences collapsing from the additional load, or being destroyed by wind. At that meeting, City Planning and Zoning Officer Chip Hank explained that these issues can be traced back to the original passage of the city’s fence ordinance, which was modeled off the Cuyahoga Fall’s Division of Zoning and Planning but excluded the section of that ordinance stating that if residents could not agree to a shared fence line, that fences must be built three feet off the property line to allow for necessary maintenance. Hank also said that to his knowledge there was no reason for the exclusion of the section when the ordinance was originally passed.

Council also voted unanimously to approve an ordinance for the issuance and sale of notes of the city of Salem not to exceed $500,000 to pay the cost of constructing, reconstructing and installing roadway and street improvements in the city including grading draining curing and paving and providing all other necessary appurtenances thereto. City Auditor Sal Salvino explained that the sale of notes will allow the city to receive the money in a lump sum, rather than in monthly installments as the .25% income tax for road maintenance does, allowing the city to begin work on annual roadway improvements faster. Salvino said that these notes could then be repaid using the funds from the .25% income tax, noting that in the first three months of 2024 it had raised approximately $350,000.

Other legislation approved included a routine resolution authorizing participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s annual winter contract for road salt, and an update to the city’s wage ordinance that Salvino explained will see Street Foreman Shawn Smith’s hourly rate increased to $34 from $30, City Administrative Secretary Debbie Bicker’s hourly rate raised to $24 from $20.25, and Law Clerk Jennifer Garrett’s, who is paid a monthly rate, raised to $2,334.10 from $1,814.41.

Council also heard a request from Salem Preservation Society Secretary Jennifer Brown to extend the Designated Outdoor Refreshment District’s hours to be in effect for the McCulloch Park dedication ceremony to be held at 5:30 p.m. May 22. Brown explained that while alcohol wouldn’t be served at the event directly, “every single restaurant within the confines of downtown” had been invited to bring food which will be paid for by the society since “it is a community park and a community event,” and it was hoped that having the DORA in effect would help to encourage attendees to patronize restaurants downtown. Councilman Evan Newman made a motion to authorize the extension, which council voted unanimously to approve. Brown also reminded residents that Saturday was the annual Spring Cleanup Day downtown, and everyone was invited to participate from 9 a.m. to noon, and to bring their own gloves, brooms, rakes, and other relevant tools to help keep the downtown area beautiful.

During her report, Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey said that she had received a letter from Scott Larrick, the owner of the GQ slated to open on Broadway Avenue soon, “a few weeks ago,” requesting that the city enact a revitalization district. To that end Dickey recommended council begin the process of establishing the district, explaining that the first step would be to advertise the city’s intention to establish the district in a newspaper for two consecutive weeks, after which council would need to approve a resolution authorizing the district, with a public hearing preceding the meeting in which the resolution is read. Councilman Andrew Null made the motion to advertise the intent to form the district, which was unanimously approved by council.

The city council will meet next at 7 p.m. May 7.