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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

Officials will use a projected $7.7 million loan to refinance existing debt used to upgrade Salem’s wastewater treatment plant and to make further improvements to the utility to remain compliant with state and federal guidelines.

The financing – which included rate increase projections – was discussed during a special joint session of the Salem Board of Public Works and Safety and Common Council on Monday, September 16th.

The initial estimated cost to rehabilitate the city’s manholes, the lining on wastewater pipes, and required lift station improvements is $4.2 million. That amount, combined with non-construction costs of just over $1 million and the refinancing of the 2020 loan of $2.4 million, brings the total loan estimate to $7.7 million.

The 20-year low-interest loan will be financed through the state. The current subsidized loan rate is about 2 percent.

Andre Riley, of Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, of Indianapolis, used an estimated rate of 2.5 percent to calculate the total loan interest of $2.3 million. The annual payments are projected to be $474,600.

The upgrades aim to reduce water infiltration into the city’s wastewater treatment system. During heavy rains, the system can be overwhelmed, which can lead to overflows of untreated water.

In 2019, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) fined the City of Salem $6,000 for violations by the city’s wastewater plant. Those violations included six instances when an estimated 3.5 million gallons of raw sewage was released into the West Fork of the Blue River.

Those violations led to a mandate from the state to improve the city’s wastewater system.

The lift station improvements will include the installation of an automatic 24-hour monitoring system that will notify the operator of any system failures – which IDEM requires.

The projected rate increases Riley provided intend to make it possible for the wastewater utility to keep up with increasing operating costs and inflation, to build and maintain a cash balance as required by the state, and to fund further needed improvements.

The estimated rate increases – which could change – were phased in over three years as illustrated by Riley.

Currently, the average monthly bill for Salem wastewater customers who use 4,000 gallons is about $40. That amount would increase by about $6 in 2025, $7 in 2026, and $3 in 2027.

A rate comparison chart showed that the increases would put Salem in the low- to middle-range when compared to the wastewater rates of eight regional utilities. Those rates ranged from $31 in Bedford to $68.48 in Boonville.

The financing must be in place by June 1 to pay off the utility’s $2.4 million short-term loan. To meet that deadline, Wessler Engineering will begin to design the improvements in October and present them to the city in January. The rate increases will likely be approved in February or March before the anticipated loan closing date of March 31.

Before the vote, Mayor Justin Green cautioned that any delays with the wastewater improvements could result in consequences such as a possible sewer ban, which would stall the city’s growth.

“Let’s not push the panic button on that, but there is a cost to inaction,” Green said.

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The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is encouraging parents and caregivers to take the time during Child Passenger Safety Week to make sure their child is properly secured in an appropriate car seat or booster seat.

The annual safety week, which runs this year from September 15-21, ends with a national car seat education event known as National Car Seat Check Saturday. Throughout the week, organizations across the state will be hosting child passenger safety events. During these events, certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will check car seats, let caregivers know if their children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, and show them how to install the right seats correctly.

"A properly installed car seat is a child's best defense against injury in a crash,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI’s Executive Director. “Let's ensure every child is riding safely."

Statistics show that nearly 1 out of every 5 children aged 4 or younger who died in crashes from 2018-2022 were unrestrained. ICJI wants caregivers to know that it’s never safe to allow a child to ride in a passenger vehicle unrestrained, no matter how short the trip or how big the vehicle is.

When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every age and developmental stage. No matter what the stage is, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by discussing correct car seat selection and showing them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle.

"Every child deserves a safe ride,” said Jim Bryan, Traffic Safety Director for ICJI. “We urge parents and caretakers to take advantage of the resources available to help them choose and install the right car seat for their child."

Safety checks are available year-round and typically take 20-30 minutes. Those visits can be conducted at one of Indiana’s many fitting stations, which can be found by visiting: on.in.gov/SafeKids.

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Washington County Relay For Life will be held on September 28th this year at the West Washington School football field from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Help run kids events, serve dinner to survivors, set up and take down the luminaria ceremony. 12 volunteers are needed.

Project Details:

11:30 a.m. Bounce House

1 p.m. Face Painting

1:30 p.m. Clown with balloon animals for the kids

2:00 p.m. Water Balloon Fun Time

Come on down for fun with water balloons

2:30 p.m. Sponge Relay

3 p.m. Coloring for children

3:30 p.m. Mini Olympics

(Disk toss, relay race, long jump)

4 p.m. Hula-hoop contest

4:30 p.m. Western Lap & Costume Contest

Put on your favorite Western costume and strut the track!

5 p.m. Pictionary

5:30 p.m. Musical Chairs

6 p.m. Survivor Dinner

6:30 p.m. Survivor Ceremony

7 p.m. Survivor/Caregiver Laps: Then the survivors will take to the track as we applaud them every step of the way. Following the survivors’ lap and caregiver’s lap, we all complete one final “Fight Back” Victory Lap.

8:30 p.m. Luminaria Ceremony: This touching ceremony includes music, reading of names and the lighting of luminaria bags as each name is called. This is a time of respect, so we ask that there is no talking or walking throughout the ceremony. Thank you for your cooperation.

Location Details:

West Washington School Football Field, 8028 W Batt Rd, Campbellsburg, IN 47108

Group Project Wheelchair accessible Suitable for all ages

Point of Contact if you would like to volunteer:

Judy Harper 812-620-7287 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Volunteer Interests: Children & Youth, Community, Health & Wellness

Helpful Skills: Crafts, Painting, Special Events, Sports & Activities

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The Indiana Department of Transportation is in search of dedicated, qualified individuals who want to help serve their fellow Hoosiers this winter. INDOT will host winter seasonal hiring events on Tuesday, September 24, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. local time at 12 locations across the state.

Winter seasonal positions run from November through early March. Pay starts at $21 per hour for full-time operations and $25 per hour for on-call snowplow-only operations. Job duties for full-time seasonal positions include performing general highway and traffic maintenance, snow and ice removal and other duties related to winter operations. A valid CDL is required to be considered for full-time or on-call positions.

Registration is not required to attend INDOT's hiring events, and interviews will be conducted on-site the same day. INDOT team members will be available to answer questions and provide more information about open positions and careers with the agency. We are in the Seymour District. Those hiring location are:

Aurora Sub District Office 10955 Marsh Rd. Aurora, IN 47001

Bloomington Sub District 2965 Prow Rd. Bloomington, IN 47404

Columbus Sub District Office 3545 Two Mile House Rd, Columbus, IN 47201

Falls City Sub District Office 5701 US-31, Clarksville, IN 47129

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Halloween will be here before you know it!

The Washington County Family YMCA in Salem is planning a trail with booths that hand out candy.

Approximately 600 kids are expected to attend the event on Saturday, Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m., at the YMCA, 1709 North Shelby Street, Salem.

The Y needs a little help with this event and is seeking individuals, businesses and organizations to take part in the walking trail.

If you would like to set up a booth along the trail, contact Gavan Doane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Wednesday, October 2.