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City officials are expected to discuss the possible formation of a task force that would investigate the water utility.

The proposal was made by Councilman Roger Pennington during the Monday, March 11, meeting of the Salem Common Council.

Pennington said the task force’s aim would be to restore public confidence in the utility.

Pennington, reading from a prepared statement, proposed the adoption of an ordinance that would form the five-member “Task Force Clean Water” that would review the utility’s plant and water infrastructure.

The task force would be comprised of two council members and three community members: the community members would be city residents and could include residents who live within the two-mile fringe area. Residents must be water utility customers.

The task force would review personnel and their duties; infrastructure; water production costs; and rates, Pennington said. The task force would have at most three months to conduct the review before they report their findings and a proposal to the Council.

After reading the statement, Pennington made a motion to adopt the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilman Randy Lee Jr.

Mayor Justin Green said the proposed ordinance was unexpected as Jake Vissing, the city’s attorney, reviewed the language. Vissing said he wasn’t sure if the council – which does have investigatory power – is allowed under law to delegate investigatory power to a committee comprised of non-elected officials.

Of particular concern to Vissing was the proposed scope of the powers granted to non-elected officials to investigate personnel.

Pennington said he would like the Council to recess for 15 minutes to allow Vissing time to review state law. Vissing said he would need more time.

Vissing asked Pennington if he had consulted with legal counsel while drafting the proposal: Pennington said he himself had reviewed Indiana law. Vissing cautioned against making any quick moves without a full vetting of the proposal. Pennington said he remained confident in his research and reminded the council that his motion and Lee’s second meant they needed to vote.

Green said the ordinance contains several statements regarding personnel – which is under the purview of the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety, not the council. Pennington said the task force would focus on the employees’ duties, not make inquiries as to salaries. Green said again that more time was needed since Pennington’s proposal was unexpected.

Councilman Danny Libka said the proposal has merit, but added he would like to table the vote until Vissing could make sure it complies with Indiana law. Councilman Steve Crane said the council could consider it on Thursday, March 14, at a special called meeting that had already been scheduled.

Pennington refused to withdraw the motion to form the task force. A vote was held, with Pennington and Lee voting for it. Libka and Crane voted against it, so the motion failed.

Libka then made a motion to consider the proposal at the March 14 meeting. Crane seconded it. Pennington and Lee opposed it.

At the end of the meeting, it appeared the matter would be discussed against during the March 14 meeting.

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Another Salem Common Council member has joined the opposition against obtaining a bond issue to pay for waterline upgrades.

The vote came during a special called meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, which was held before a packed meeting room of about 30 people.

It was the second vote against the proposed $3.3 million bond issue. The first was held during the Council’s regular meeting on Feb. 12 where three council members – Roger Pennington, Dylan Moore, and Randy Lee opposed it.

Prior to the Feb. 26 vote, Councilman Steve Crane said the city shouldn’t acquire more debt, which is a change from his positive bond vote earlier in February.

Crane urged the Council to hold off on the bond issue and instead seek grants to pay for the ongoing waterline replacement along Main Street. He said the city has “credibility and confidence issues” with its water utility customers.

“I think too much has happened too fast,” Crane concluded.

Pennington said although a revised rate study showed a difference of less than a dollar in needed rate increases without the bond, his concern remains adding to the city’s debt load. He added that the last water rate increase occurred in 2021 and it should have been apparent before now that the water utility was struggling to keep up with operational costs.

In addition to funding the waterline replacement project and helping with operational costs, the bond was going to provide a mandated cash reserve for the utility.

Moore said he shares the same concerns about adding debt and asked about the possibility of obtaining grants from the state. Mayor Justin Green said the city doesn’t qualify for those grants because water rates are too low: to qualify for grants, utility customers are required to shoulder more of a burden in supporting the utility.

Moore said he believes there is a “dire need” for the Main Street waterline replacement project, but he remains concerned about debt as well as the additional non-construction costs related to a bond issue.

When Pennington said the Main Street project only represents a small portion of the city’s waterlines, Green countered by saying the 80-year-old waterlines are main trunklines that deliver water to customers beyond those on Main Street.

Moore made a motion against pursuing the bond issue and a second was given by Crane. No council member opposed the motion.

No members of the public chose to comment.

The city currently carries a $4 million debt for its sewer utility and $14 million for its water utility.

There does seem to be a consensus among the Council’s members that water rate increases are needed and inevitable.

By: Becky Killian, Staff Writer

Business News

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The longevity of The Dinner Bell Restaurant is outstanding!

Owner Jina Smedley proudly displays last's years Reader's Choice Award for Washington County's "Best Burger.The business has had several owners since its origin around 1908, and it goes on preparing good food to this day.

At one time, the establishment was called the Blues Cafeteria.

It received Reader’s Choice awards in 2016 and 2023 for the "Best Burger."

When asked what makes the burger so good, owner Jina Smedley replied,” It’s the seasoned grill. The gas grill is at least sixty years old.” The business has been in her family since August 2001.

The award-winning burger “the best seller” is $1.39 for a single.

Another favorite is the “The Mess,” a breakfast dish with two eggs served on top of shredded hashbrowns or home fries with onions, bacon and sausage, covered with country gravy. This is priced at $8.49.

The Dinner Bell is open 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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On Saturday morning, Feb. 24, a mid-sized Nissan SUV left the North Garrison Hollow Road and hit a tree. This sent the single male driver to University Hospital with non-life-threating injuries.

On the scene were Washington County Sheriff's officers Brad Naugle and Tory Hildreth. Also on the scene to transport the injured driver was Washington Co. EMS. Assisting was Franklin Township Fire Department.

No other information is available at this time.

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A bucket list can mean several things.

It may be something you would like to have done by a certain age, not necessarily before you die. It can be your summer bucket list or goal by a certain time in your life. It’s that list in the back of your head that keeps popping out.

Remember the 2007 movie “The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman?

Surely you have thought of things you would like to do--Is it a trip to Hawaii, complete a skill or task? Write a letter or even a book?

Please share your bucket list items. Contact Leader Publishing Co. with your ideas and they will be posted on www.salemleader.com. Who has the most interesting item in their bucket? Are there several? Send your ideas to Jerry Curry at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By: Jerry Curry, Staff Writer