Trending
SALEM -- The Salem Parks Commission unanimously approved the hire of the new parks director Wednesday.
Jacob Logan will have a salary of $62,400 and begin work Jan. 2. A 2012 graduate of Kent State, he holds a bachelor's degree in applied horticulture.
Commission President John Panezott said that prior to joining the department, Logan worked as a grounds supervisor at Robert Morris University, where he oversaw a maintenance team.
The commission also discussed the ongoing efforts to repair a leak in the Centennial Park pool.
In November's meeting Parks Foreman Jim Grimm suggested the use of a steel epoxy to plug the holes as a potential solution; however, Recreation Supervisor Kelli Pastore said that she and Grimm had spoken with Premier Pool Management and that this was no longer considered a viable option. Pastore explained that due to the sheer volume of water the pool circulates, as it must completely cycle every six hours, the epoxy likely would not be sufficiently strong and the best solution would likely be welding.
However, Pastore said that Premier Pool had stressed doing so would only be a temporary solution, echoing prior concerns from Grimm that the heat of welding could risk damaging the structural integrity. Pastore said that Premier Pool recommended the entire pool pressure return system be replaced within the next year and that grant funding would likely be required with price estimates to replace the system in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"Welding is really putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole," said Pastore.
Pastore said that Premier Pool was looking into companies to provide the department with estimates for a new system and that they would be in contact again in the new year, after which the department needs to begin seeking out funding opportunities to cover the cost of the work. The commissioners agreed to begin pursuing funding once estimates have been received.
Also discussed was the Movies in the Park program, which Pastore said saw poor attendance this past year. Pastore explained that of the six movies planned, three had been canceled for weather and the three remaining movies had less than 100 attendees. Pastore suggested the department reduce the number of movies shown each year, explaining that each movie costs the department $450 up front, whether they are able to show the film or not, and due to shipping restrictions cannot be re-scheduled. Pastore also suggested that the films be shown closer to the middle of summer rather than in the beginning and end of the season so that families and children are more likely to attend than while school is in session.
While all commissioners were in favor of reducing the number of films shown to some extent, Commission Vice President Lucille Karnofel was in favor of canceling the program altogether due to the potential of being forced to cancel without re-scheduling while still having to pay for the movie. Both Pastore and Commissioner Lori Colian pushed back against total cancellation, however, suggesting instead a reduced number of screenings with unique theming or interactivity, with Pastore suggesting allowing attendees to watch a movie like "Jaws" or "Pirates of the Caribbean" in the pool. The commissioners ultimately agreed to hold one screening this year and review the program further based on attendance.
The department's recent insurance audit was also discussed, with only two items flagged for concern, both of which Pastore said had been resolved. Pastore said that concerns of potential injury regarding the "bucking bull" feature at Centennial Park due to the use of edged metal plates and bolts in its construction had been raised, and as a result had been taken down. Pastore explained the other concern was with the language on the park rules signs throughout the parks, which state "weapons of any kind" are not permitted on park grounds, and the insurance adjustor said that language was not technically legal as it is an outdoor space and Ohio is a constitutional carry state, so the language would need to be removed from the signs. Pastore said that the adjustor requested four additional signs be posted at park entrances and exits, which would each cost approximately $170, with decals to cover the language in question costing $8 each, for a total of $736. Commissioners ultimately voted unanimously to purchase the decals and signs.
During her report Pastore said that she had a meeting set with Bobbi Sequin from Berkshire Hathaway in January to begin planning the department's annual Easter egg hunt. Pastore said she had also been in contact with the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley to partner for autism-friendly programming in April to kick off Autism Awareness Month 2024, such as a sensory story time and a sensory scavenger hunt, and was working to secure grant funding for this programming.
Pastore said that the holiday ornament making event on Dec. 5 had been very well received and well attended, and that upcoming Go Wild in the Park programming will include a presentation on Ohio's native owl species, with a pinecone owl craft to follow on Jan. 24, and a program to learn about bird species that remain in the area throughout Winter and make a bird seed feeder on Jan. 31. Anyone interested in these events can register at the Salem Public Library's website.
Pastore also announced that the department's annual Christmas tree recycling program will begin Tuesday. Organic trees may be dropped off at the parking lot in front of the dog park at Waterworth Memorial Park during park hours. Those looking to drop off their tree should enter the park from the Sunset Boulevard entrance. Commissioners and Pastore also reminded residents that as always, the program is for live trees only and synthetic trees will not be accepted.
The parks commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Jan. 24.