Pact clears way for potential merger of Silver Lake and Salem

By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent

Silver Lake and Salem have entered into an agreement that has the potential for the two communities to join forces and create a combined village.

The Silver Lake Village Board on May 5 unanimously approved the same boundary agreement resolution OK’d by the Town of Salem last week.

“We had the first reading last night at our Committee of the Whole Meeting,” Village President Bruce Nopenz explained, “at the behest of our attorney. We approved it tonight because we have some sense of urgency because of deadlines that must be met.”

Copies of the resolutions were sent to approximately 40 other governmental bodies that lie within a five-mile radius of both municipalities.

Salem and Silver Lake have been working cooperatively in recent months. Last year, the boards entered into talks regarding a fire and rescue services contract. Silver Lake Village Board members have said they are pleased with the way they worked with Salem and the outcome of that negotiation.

When former Silver Lake Public works supervisor Bob Williams gave three weeks notice of retirement, village officials called on Salem’s public works department for some assistance.

Currently, Salem Public Works Supervisor Mike Murdoch is offering some administration and supervisory aid and Salem recently helped the village with the installation of a culvert.

In the past, the village has had to hire outside contractors for that work.

Nopenz said, “The pieces are still being pulled together and both boards intend to have a plan put together to present at a public meeting on July 8.”

The full story appears in the May 13 edition of the Westosha Report


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