SALEM — The fish restock at the Salem City Lake has been completed.

In the Salem Parks Commission’s November meeting Interim Parks Director Kelli Pastore told commissioners that the second of two shipments for the restock had been picked up from Fenders Fish Market and stocked. Pastore said that this shipment included the ordered walleye and crappie, which had to be stocked in cooler temperatures than the previous load which was picked up in September.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the restock of walleye, crappies, redear and minnows in June at a cost of $1,755, and also included five white amurs, a type of non-reproducing fish, which are helpful for the maintenance of weeds within the lake. The restock, the first since 2019, was proposed by former Parks Director Jacob Logan in

anticipation of an increase in the number of anglers at the lake during upcoming repairs to the dam and spillway at Guilford Lake (and with them reduced water levels) which were expected to begin in December and last 18 months.

The passage of House Bill 47 was also discussed which Pastore said requires “all schools and recreational facilities in areas with a population greater than 5,000” to have automatic electronic defibrillators (AED) available in youth sporting areas beginning in 2025. Pastore said that it was estimated the department would need eight units to meet requirements across the parks, and that she was currently investigating possible sources of grant funding to defray the costs of the units which typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 each, and of cases that house the units, which must be purchased separately.

The first of two murals at the Centennial Park Pool have also been completed, with Pastore noting that artist Sara Gordon had added a protective clear coat to help shield the mural from the elements, which the department should re-apply every two years. Pastore thanked Gordon for doing such a good job on the project.

Pastore also told commissioners that the paint for the pool itself could be purchased using funds from the Wirtz Memorial Fund at the Salem Community Foundation and that it would be picked up within the next week.

The parks commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Dec. 18.