
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 28, 1991                   TAG: 9103010645
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SALEM SUPPLEMENTS PAY FOR 2 RESERVISTS

Two Salem municipal employees who are serving with a Marine Reserve unit in the Persian Gulf will receive money to supplement their military pay.

City Council approved a policy Monday that will allow the city to pay the employees the difference in their city jobs and military positions to lessen any hardship on their families.

"It's an excellent idea," Councilman Sonny Tarpley said. "Their expenses at home have not gone down."

State law requires that the localities keep reservists on full pay for the 15 days of reserve-training they undergo each year. If called to active duty for an indefinite period of time, however, the only requirement is that their job be left open and that their seniority and benefits continue in their absence.

One of the employees is receiving $289 less a month than his regular full-time job with the city. The other employee's military pay is $43 less than what he receives from the city.

Finance Director Frank Turk said there is a sufficient amount of money in the budget to provide the supplemental income.

In other business, council:

> Authorized City Manager Randy Smith to file appropriate documents with the State Commission on Local Debt for the refunding of 1985 bonds. The refunding could provide the city with a possible $688,000 savings in interest payments.

> Received a request from the Roanoke College Chapter of Habitat for Humanity to purchase property on Bowman Avenue. Council delayed a decision until specifics, such as a sewer line installment, could be worked out.

The chapter, comprised of students, intends to build a home on the property.

Approved a special-use permit that will allow Charles and Judy Lawrence to convert a residence at 533 Boulevard-Roanoke, into a duplex. The structure, which had housed a craft shop, was damaged by fire last year.

Agreed to purchase a $28,141 dump truck for the Water Department.

Reappointed Morris Elam to the Salem Industrial Development Authority, Charles Hammersley to the League of Older Americans and Robin R. Dearing to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

by CNB