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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer
The waterline replacement project along South Main will continue with most of the cost being covered by a grant.
The announcement was made during the Monday, Feb. 10, meeting of the Salem Board of Public Works and Safety and Common Council.
The hardship grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation will cover most of the cost to replace waterlines from the south gate of the square to the bridge over the West Fork Blue River.
The Board of Works approved the low bid of $943,454 from Temple and Temple for the project.
The city will pay 10 percent of the cost with existing funds from its operating budget.
“I think we all agree that investment in our infrastructure is key,” Mayor Justin Green said.
The first phase of the project saw the replacement of waterlines from the traffic light at State Road 56 to the south gate of the square. That project was paid with federal funds.
In other business:
• E&K Lawncare was approved as the low bidder for mowing as well as debris and vegetation removal for both city-owned properties as well as properties in violation of city code. The contractor will be paid $1,095 weekly to mow city owned properties such as around the water plants at Lake Salinda and Lake John Hay. The maintenance of properties in violation of city code will be $80 for mowing a lot and hourly fees for larger lots or those containing debris that must be removed.
• Mosier Family Chiropractic requested the closure of the portion of Market Street between the addresses of 301 and 304 beginning at 4 p.m. for their annual Brick Street Festival, which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7. About 20 vendors are expected, including food trucks.
• Blevins Sanitation requested a two-year contract extension for the city’s waste removal. The contract, which was set to expire in September 2026, will now continue to September 2028. The contract extension was approved by the Board of Works.