During its September meeting the parks commission discussed a proposal to commission commemorative shirts for sale at upcoming celebratory events as part of Salem’s collaboration with the America 250-Ohio Commission as an official America 250-Ohio Community next year. At that time Parks Commissioner Kelli Pastore said that the shirts had been proposed as a potential source of revenue for the department, and that the shirts could be sold at both city and department events, and the commissioners voted unanimously to get quotes and designs for potential shirts from Promo Unlimited, Custom Images, and Sport Connection for further discussion in their next meeting.

In the commission’s October meeting Pastore told them that the shirts could also be made

available for purchase online, and the commissioners ultimately selected two designs from Promo Unlimited for production and sale. The commissioners also asked Pastore to contact downtown businesses and community organizations like the Salem High School Alumni Association to potentially partner with the department on the sale of the shirts.

Pastore also told the commissioners that the siding on the south side of the parks office on Oak Street needed to be replaced, and that screening needs to be installed in the roof where wiring enters to prevent squirrels from entering through the hole. Pastore said that she had been given a quote of $2,800 for the work; however, the commissioners felt that figure “was a little high” and voted unanimously to table the proposal for another month to seek additional quotes.

The Salem Parks Commission selected two shirt designs to be produced and sold during the department’s upcoming America 250-Ohio events as the city celebrates the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. (Submitted photo courtesy of Kelli Pastore)

During her report Pastore said that she had created a preliminary draft of the updated facility rental contract discussed by the board in its last meeting, which she said had been based on the city’s event contract, and requested the commissioners review it for any necessary revisions.

Pastore also said that the annual Trail of Treats on Oct. 12 had 72 participants distributing candy this year, surpassing last year’s record high of 54 participants.

“If we get much bigger, I don’t know where to put all the people. We’re running out of space and every one of our spots was full,” joked Pastore.

The parks commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Nov. 19.