Salem hires chief financial officer in midst of budget woes

Salem City Hall (Salem Reporter files)

The city of Salem has hired a chief financial officer, an ostensibly new position of budget expertise, the city announced Monday.

Robert Barron started Monday, according to the announcement. He will oversee the city’s budget in a time of rising costs, which have led to proposals to trim positions and reduce funding for a program that helps homeless people afford housing.

The CFO position replaces two previous jobs:…