Trending
SALEM -- Salem Parks Commission members want more information on a scout's plans to refurbish the old city hall bell at the entrance to Centennial Park before giving approval.
Specifically, they want to know the methods he'll use to clean up the piece of Salem history.
"We appreciate his thoughtfulness. We have to make sure it's done properly," Vice Chair Lucille Karnofel said.
Commission member Lori Colian also said it may be better to find out for sure how he's planning to restore the bell which dates back to 1882. They also thought he should talk with someone from the Salem Historical Society.
The bell sits on what's historically known as Bell Island, the strip of land along Park Drive which leads to the park. The bell was part of the old city hall on East State Street from 1882 to 1952, but was moved to the current site on a cement block in 1954 by the Salem Historical Society. The bell was set there and dedicated during the Sesquicentennial in June 1956 in memory of Miss Alice MacMillan, according to the plaque.
A Salem High School junior with Troop 6 at St. Paul Church, Gabe Murray wants to do the restoration for his Eagle Scout project. He wasn't able to attend the meeting, so commission members indicated they would like him to come to the next meeting which is 5 p.m. May 25 at the park office.
In other business, Parks Director Shane Franks reported that all water systems in the city parks have been evaluated by city utilities department personnel regarding backflow valves. He said they have $4,308 invested so far for parts, but he won't know for sure what the final tally will be until they get a plumber involved, plus there may be some digging involved. He said he may have the final numbers for the next meeting.
Recreation Supervisor Amber Smith reported "we have all the lifeguards we need," along with cashiers for Centennial Pool. If everything goes as planned, she said the pool will open June 4. She also reported on recent Go Wild in the Park programs and said the pizza pot program is May 14. She also said even with the bad weather, the Easter egg hunt attracted 100 to 150 kids.
Parks Foreman Jim Grimm said his crew has been working on preparing the ball fields, including putting more dirt on the fields, building up a pitcher's mound, repairing ball field fences, changing bases and cleaning out dugouts. He said they also repaired picnic tables, repaired equipment, got a new mower and repaired the vandalized restrooms at Centennial Park.
He offered thanks to Quaker City Concrete and Joe Colian from Colian Multi-Services for the planks used on the ball fields so they could drive trucks on them to dump the dirt. They didn't want to drive on the fields because they were too wet.
Grimm also reported that eight pine trees were planted at Salem City Lake (Salem Reservoir), donated by Retired Kent State University Salem Campus Horticulture Professor Chris Carlson from his property with help from Brian and Robin Falk. Grimm thanked Carlson for is service to the community.
A storage shed behind the dog park has been cleaned out, with the walls removed and will be taken down. A similar shed at Kelley Park may be turned into a pavilion.
Franks talked briefly about the recent vandalism of the restroom by juveniles and little free library by an adult, both at Centennial Park, saying "good news is they were caught immediately."