The City of Salem Board of Aldermen was in session for just over an hour Nov. 2, with much of the session was devoted to listening to two Salem residents.
The meeting began with the board listening to a complaint brought by Teresa Stark, who shared her concerns about a neighbor who she said consistently burns things he is not supposed to inside city limits and who she said has a dangerous dog. Stark stated that she is concerned because the houses in her neighborhood are fairly close together and this neighbor burns whatever he wants to heedless of wind conditions or fire risk.
Police Chief Joe Chase shared in open session that the police department is aware of the problem and that measures are being taken to address the problem.
Next, Samara Dozier spoke to request a permit for keeping her pet miniature pigs inside city limits. Currently there is a city ordinance that prohibits swine from being kept inside city limits. Dozier made the argument that her pigs are not agricultural but are in fact pets that get no bigger than a mid-sized dog. Dozier expressed that she feels having the pet miniature pigs is similar to having a dog that lives inside and outside. The board moved to postpone the miniature pig discussion until the next meeting to give them time to research the topic before they grant or refuse Dozier’s permit request.
Also Nov. 2, the board went on to approve a recommendation to accept a $27,810 bid by the Municipal Equipment Company for a grinder pump station equipment package for the Hwy. 72/J project.
