By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
Salem City Council has declared Sept. 17-23 Constitution Week, in recognition of the 237th drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Chapter Regent Elizabeth Vincel and three members of the Fort Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution received the resolution at the Sept. 9 Council meeting.
Mayor Renee Turk read the resolution that recognized the work of the Fort Lewis DAR chapter, which includes:
- Sponsoring the annual Ringing of the Bells on July 4, donated 64 books about our country’s founding to G.W. Carver Elementary School, made more than 100 Constitution Day bags for local elementary students, sent coupons and cards to active military, and laid wreaths on graves of veterans in East Hill and East Hill North cemeteries.
In other matters at the meeting, Council:
- Heard from resident Carita Nicely who asked Council to adopt the state Maintenance Code so the city can do something about what she termed an unsafe structure at 203 Union Street, next door to Nicely. She said the house has been unlived in for probably 40 years but electricity and gas are still on. Raccoons, groundhogs and skunks are living in the house, she said, and she has seen a person sleeping on the porch. Nicely said she is concerned wildlife might gnaw on wiring and pipes, and cause an explosion. “I am concerned about the house blowing up 30 feet from me. Community Planning Director Chuck VanAllman said under existing law, the city cannot go inside the house because of property rights;
- Approved, on second reading, a zoning request for 1590 W. Main Street, Bojangles restaurant, from Light Manufacturing District to Highway Business District;
- After a public hearing, approved on first reading a zoning request to allow Salem Montessori School Inc. to amend the existing special exception to allow for a second elementary school building at 101 Corporate Boulevard. Engineer Barney Horrell, representing Montessori, explained the existing school building on Boulevard is outdated and school officials want to get all the students on one campus;
- Rescheduled the regular Oct. 15 Council meeting to Oct. 7 because Councilmembers will be out of town at a Virginia Municipal League meeting in Virginia Beach;
- Set an Oct. 28 public hearing on the expiring terms of School Board members Dr. Nancy Bradley and Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez;
- Set a $6,292 bond for erosion and sediment control for 2640 Franklin St., described by VanAllman as “a large house;”
- Set a $4,125 bond for erosion and control and landscaping for Savory Ventures of Salem, the new food court planned on Fourth Street at Roanoke Street;
- Added Tuesday, Dec. 24, as a City holiday for employees and closing City offices.
Mayor Turk, Vice Mayor Jim Wallace and Councilman Hunter Holliday attended the Sept. 9 meeting in person, with Councilman Randy Foley attending remotely for medical reasons. Councilman Bill Jones was absent after being injured in a fall earlier that day, city staff said.
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
