Christmas spirit comes early to Salem

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

SALEM ? Christmas came early to Salem.

Meeting in regular session Tuesday night, the Salem City Council approved two Christmas-related items and also took the first step in purchasing a gas-powered generator.

Council members approved applying to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a grant to cover $8,700 of the generator?s cost. The city is looking at a 40-kilowatt generator that would cost $23,250. Related concrete and installation work would drive the total project cost to around $25,000.

The generator would be located at the community building and provide enough power to service the building in the event of a power outage.

?I would check around and look for better prices (for the generator),? remarked Councilman Charles Kramer. ?We have to keep them honest.?

Brenda Carver, deputy city clerk, said the city should qualify for the grant. ?Based on our city size and other criteria, we are eligible for $25,000 (in grant funds),? Carver said. ?We?re (city, fire and rescue departments) trying to work together on this.?

?I think we need it,? noted council member Sandra Mellott. ?I don?t want to spend another three days without electricity.?

In other business, the council approved donating money for a pair of Christmas projects.

The city will give $300 toward candy for children during the annual Santa visit, and council member Warren Barton asked for city support toward Christmas lights in Salem.

?I would like to get more permanent stuff that we can use for more than one year,? noted Kramer.

Council members okayed the expenditure of up to $1,000 for Christmas lights in the square area of the community.

In final business, the council:

? Was informed that the city office will be closed Nov. 24-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

? Approved the renewal of the liquor permit for Century Bar.

Council members meet again in regular session Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Community Center.