Morning Journal/Morgan Ahart
The deplorable conditions and accumulated filth present within the condemned residence at 1240 E. Third St. remained evident even as demolition progressed, as garbage literally spilled out of the rubble.

SALEM — The Salem Board of Health Wednesday approved the resolution outlining the 2023 food service fees.

The resolution received its first reading Sept. 28, second reading Oct. 19, and a public hearing was held prior to the resolution’s third and final reading prior to the board’s meeting as required. No opinions were voiced in opposition of the proposed fees at the hearing.

These fees are figured using a cost methodology based on time spent by the department on the licensing, inspection and administration of the program, and will become effective Dec. 1.

The proposed fees are (with this year’s fees in parentheses): risk classification less than 25,000 square feet, level one $108.15 ($103.36), level two $121.90 ($118), level three $233.53 ($236.88) and level four $296.22 ($303.64); more than 25,000 square feet, level one $156.54 ($154.89), level two $164.79 ($163.68), level three $585.46 ($611.66), and level four $620.66 ($649.14); vending operation, $14.63 ($13.87); mobile facility, $112.99 ($103.40) and temporary facility (per event), $37.66 ($60).

The fees don’t include the required state fees, which must be added in. The cost for plan reviews for both new establishments or remodeling remains $275 each.

Other business included the discussion of the department’s IT contract for 2023 and an update on several nuisance properties within city limits in a report from Director of Environmental Health Alan Masters.

In his report Masters noted that the nuisance property on 1240 E. Third St. had begun demolition and that 341 Newgarden Ave. and 166 Rose Ave. were ready to begin demolition soon.

The board of health will meet next at 2 p.m. Dec. 21.