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SALEM -- The parks department will cut the season short at the Salem City Lake this year.
During the parks commission's August meeting, Parks Director Kelli Pastore told the commissioners that the department was once again operating at a loss for the year at the city lake and asked when they wanted to close the lake this year.
Pastore said that while the department had expected a bump in activity at the lake this year due to Guilford Lake temporarily closing for dam work during the summer, the department had sold roughly the same number of day and season passes as last season, which also saw the lake operate at a loss. She also said that often an entire day will pass with nobody utilizing the lake, and that she has been directing the staff to close early when that occurs to reduce expenses.
Commission President John Panezott suggested that the department should consider ending the season early if residents are not utilizing the lake and it is continuing to operate at a loss.
Commissioner Don Yeasted asked how severe the deficit was compared to last year, and Pastore said that while it wouldn't be as significant of a deficit due to efforts to reduce expenses but would still be in the red. Pastore said that the lake had generated $8,379.92 thus far this year, and that the estimated cost of wages for lake employees alone would be approximately $5,000, and that the last bait order alone was $700.
"It doesn't sound good. As far as I'm concerned people must not care anyhow. They're not using it and aren't going out there," Panezott said.
Commissioner Lori Colian said that she would be okay with shortening the season, but felt that it should remain open through Labor Day, and that anyone who purchased a season pass should be given a partial refund if they request.
The commissioners ultimately voted unanimously to cut this year's lake season short and close the after Labor Day on Sept. 8, a reduction of roughly three and a half weeks. The commissioners also agreed that the department should consider a shorter operating season for the lake moving forward due to its low usage.
"We're losing money and that's all there is to it. If we're losing money, we can't keep it open. We can't keep operating at a loss," Panezott said.
The parks commission will meet next at 9 a.m. Sept. 9 for a special meeting and will meet for its next regular meeting at 8 a.m. on Sept. 23.