The Village of West Salem’s Board met at Village Hall on March 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM. Highlights from the meeting include:
- Edwards County Council on Aging (ECCOA) President Doug Raber made a presentation the West Salem Village Board. ECCOA Executive Director April Campbell-Rickey also attended the meeting. Mr. Raber explained that ECCOA is operating at a $10,000 a month loss. They have been relying on their reserves and the use of COVID funds to make up the shortfall. While ECCOA would like to keep operating as they have been, it is no longer sustainable.
For many years, West Salem has leased a Village owned building to ECCOA at no cost, provided that ECCOA pays for the utilities and general up keep of the building. ECCOA would like to be immediately released from the lease, or have the Village cover all of the costs of operating the West Salem Senior Center. They suggested that the Village assume the costs of all of the utilities, hire the ECCOA staff that works at the West Salem Senior Center, and pay for all of the meals that are served from the West Salem Senior Center (in house and home delivered). ECCOA reported that in FY2024 100 individuals dined at the Center, and 32 individuals received home delivery of meals.
When the West Salem Board questioned those numbers, Ms. Campbell-Rickey explained that there were 100 unique individuals served in FY2024. On average about 6 to 10 people dine at the Senior Center each day.
Mr. Raber stated that the West Salem Senior Center is losing approximately $48,000 a year. The Board requested a breakdown of income and expenses, and some additional information before any decision could be made. Mr. Raber said that Director Campbell-Rickey will provide that information at a later date to the West Salem Board.
- The Board approved the Redevelopment Agreement Utilizing TIF Funds for the Lumberyard Restaurant. The restaurant is planning on renovating their bathrooms to be ADA compliant, upgrading their kitchen, installing a new awning, and purchasing a new HVAC system. The restaurant is located at 101 E. North Street in West Salem.
- The Board approved the funding for the 2025 MFT Road improvement projects. Work will be completed later this summer.
- The Board approved the renewal of the Concession Stand Lease agreement with the West Salem Athletic Association.
- The Board approved the appointment of Dalton Hough as a seasonal/part-time worker in the Utilities Department.
- The Board approved the appointment of Tod Goble as Village Building Inspector. Mr. Goble will review Building Permit Applications and monitor construction projects to ensure compliance with Village Ordinances.
- The Clerk reminded Trustees that Election Day is Tuesday, April 1st ; and that an Extra Trash Pick Up is scheduled in West Salem for Thursday, April 17, 2025.
- The Board approved the Resolution for the Annual Pork Chop Supper sponsored by the West Salem Firemen’s’ Association which will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
- They approved the Resolution for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Square sponsored by the West Salem Development Association and the Yankee 4-H Group which will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
- They approved the Resolutions for Annual Freedom Festival sponsored by the West Salem Firemen’s Association to be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 28 -J une 29, 2025.
Updates and Announcement from the Village of West Salem can be found on their website at WestSalemil.com. The next regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting will be Monday, April 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM. The West Salem Village Board meets at Village Hall which is located at 106 E. South Street, West Salem, IL.