Salem Lakes board approves land-use changes, committee appointments and municipal contracts; hears fire department report

The Village of Salem Lakes Village Board approved a set of land-use changes, municipal contracts and committee appointments and heard several departmental updates during a public meeting, including a certified survey map that will create a parcel of roughly 5 acres the family of a deceased resident had asked to separate for a home sale.

The board unanimously adopted two ordinances amending the land-use and zoning maps for tax parcel 704-120-04202-0210 and approved Resolution 2025.01-120, which conditionally approves a certified survey map (CSM) to create a 5.01-acre parcel and dedicate 60 feet of right of way, according to staff. Resident Cheryl Reed told the board her family hopes to separate a parcel surrounding her late mother’s house so it can be sold to the niece and her husband while the remainder of the 115-acre farm remains in production. "Our mom passed away in 2023, leaving one fourth of the farm to each of us," Reed said during public comment.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval of the rezoning and the CSM. At the meeting a trustee noted the family had mentioned 5.44 acres but the CSM shows 5.01; staff explained the difference stems from the right-of-way dedication accounted for in the survey.

In other land-use business, the board voted to vacate a portion of an unimproved alley in the Belmar subdivision between tax parcels 704-123-210825 and 704-123-210890. The motion passed on the floor after an earlier public hearing that drew no speakers in opposition.

The board also approved an amendment to Ordinance 2024.12-88 to add an alternate member to the Economic Development Committee (EDC), clarify initial staggered terms for stakeholder representatives and limit chair service to two terms. The board then made several appointments to the reconstituted EDC: Pete Polley was appointed to the trustee seat (Polley abstained from that vote), Jeff Albrecht was appointed as the plan commission representative and vice chair, and Brian Filiatro, Sharon Palmavel and Ross Swartz were appointed to stakeholder and alternate slots.

On municipal finance and contracts, trustees approved the Andrea & Orndorff LLP engagement agreement for accounting services for 2025 at an estimated cost of $24,200 and approved vouchers totaling $841,136.14 for December 1–31, 2024. Public works staff presented and the board approved final payment request No. 5 to Always Contractors, Inc., for $64,736.66 and change order No. 2 for $53,051.66 related to cured-in-place lining discovered during televising, bringing the total contract to $891,121.27. The board also approved a $9,095 purchase and a recurring annual subscription of $7,510 for Pipetec Inspect software to integrate televising data with the village GIS and engineering workflows.

Board members heard a year-end report from the fire chief showing 1,835 runs in 2024 — an increase of roughly 3–4% from the prior year — with Salem Lakes units handling about 67% of those calls. The chief told trustees the department continues to operate two stations on a daily basis, and that overlapping calls are creating resource strain: "That seems to be an ongoing trend in our community," the chief said. The board heard that the Westside EMS memorandum of understanding (MOU) among nearby agencies has signatures from Twin Lakes, Wheatland, Randall and Salem Lakes and is awaiting Paddock Lake’s signature; staff said the initiative could be operationalized in 2026 if the final partner signs.

Clerks and administrative staff introduced two new employees: Shay Demers, human resources coordinator, and Andrew (Andy) Cray, deputy director of public works. The treasurer reported the village collected $8.7 million in property taxes in January and completed a January tax settlement of roughly $6.3 million to school districts, water and lake districts and the county; she also reminded the board the 2024 audit is scheduled for late February.

Votes at a glance

- Reschedule February meetings to Feb. 10 and Feb. 24; reschedule March meetings to March 10 and March 24; cancel the Sept. 1 meeting (Labor Day): approved (unanimous). - Ordinance 2024.12-88 (amend Economic Development Committee): adopted (unanimous). - Appointments to Economic Development Committee: Pete Polley (trustee seat) — approved, Polley abstained; Jeff Albrecht (plan commission/vice chair) — approved; Brian Filiatro (stakeholder, 2-year term) — approved; Sharon Palmavel (stakeholder, 1-year initial term) — approved; Ross Swartz (alternate, plan commission member) — approved. - Public hearing / Vacate portion of unimproved alley (Belmar Subdivision, parcels 704-123-210825 & 704-123-210890): approved (unanimous). - Ordinance 2025.01-89 (land-use map amendment for parcel 704-120-04202-0210): adopted (unanimous). - Ordinance 2025.01-90 (zoning map amendment for parcel 704-120-04202-0210): adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 2025.01-120 (CSM to create 5.01-acre parcel; dedicate 60 ft ROW): approved (unanimous). - Andrea & Orndorff LLP engagement agreement for accounting services (2025), $24,200: approved (unanimous). - Vouchers, $841,136.14 (Dec. 1–31, 2024): approved (unanimous). - Final payment No. 5 to Always Contractors, Inc., $64,736.66 and change order No. 2 $53,051.66 (CIPP lining; total contract $891,121.27): approved (unanimous). - Pipetec Inspect software implementation, $9,095 (one-time) and recurring annual subscription $7,510: approved (unanimous).

Discussion, clarifications and next steps

- Parcel size: a board member pointed out the family’s public comment referenced 5.44 acres while the CSM records a 5.01-acre lot; staff explained the smaller figure reflects right-of-way dedication shown on the survey. - Fire services: the chief emphasized overlapping calls and the department’s training and culture efforts (the "Hero Series") and said the baby box project is stalled pending a replacement part. Station 2’s property deed was received from the Salem Lakes Fire Association; staff will return with competitive quotes for station repairs at the next meeting. - Finance and audit: the treasurer said some December figures may shift slightly pending audit work but that the auditors will review most records in advance of their February visit.

Speakers quoted in this article are recorded in the meeting transcript and identified by role in the article’s speaker list below. Closing procedural and unanimous routine votes were handled by roll call unless otherwise noted.

The board did not set a formal date for final implementation of the Westside EMS MOU pending Paddock Lake’s signature; staff said they aim to operationalize the agreement in 2026 if the partner signs.