Bond measure could go before Salem voters in 2020 as fire engines, equipment age

Salem voters may be asked in November 2020 to pay for new firefighting equipment and fire engines, the latest in a series of requests from the city to taxpayers.

The revelation was tucked inside a Salem City Council policy agenda progress report for councilors to review as part of a Nov. 19 work session. 

In 2017 alone, voters approved $61.8 million for a new police headquarters and $18.6 million for Salem Public Library improvements, including seismic upgrades. Those projects should finish in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

The policy agenda report does not list a possible price for the bond measure.

It does state: "In Spring 2019, while the work on a broader bonding strategy continues, Council will be asked to consider the possibility of a November 2020 bond measure to replace aging fire trucks and firefighting equipment."

Chief Mike Niblock of the Salem Fire Department could not be reached for comment Friday.

Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett made mention earlier this month of such a bond measure being on the horizon while discussing affordable housing with the Statesman Journal.

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Meanwhile, the city plans to hold a grand re-opening ceremony for West Salem's Fire Station 11 in January.

The station closed in 2012 amid budget constraints. Since then, Salem faced a nearly 24 percent rise in calls for service, with fewer calls being answered within a 5 1/2-minute standard, according to city records. Response times are expected to decrease when the fire station goes live again.

Email jbach@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6714 or follow on Twitter @jonathanmbach.

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