Local News – Wednesday, August 9th, 2017
The Salem Board of Aldermen met for their regular meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Freddie Whitaker was in attendance to ask for the closing of 4th Street from Highway 19 to Jackson Street on June 16th from 8:00 in the morning until midnight for the Moonlight Madness. Whitaker said he hopes to be able to get Darryl Worley for the show next year. The board approved his request. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden said the old middle school consultants selection committee has narrowed down the search to a couple of firms. Walden hopes to have their recommendation at the next meeting. The utility bills just sent out in August have the new utility water and sewer rates. If a resident would like to inquire about getting a second water meter for irrigation purposes only, they would not have to pay the sewer charges. Interested residents can call Water and Sewer Superintendent Jack Emory for more information at 729-3061. The Salem Community Center@The Armory had a total of 4,329 participants during the month of July. Walden also reported the solid waste contract comes due this month and he expects to have bids at the next meeting. He also said if anyone still has limbs or debris from the storms that has not been picked up by the city, please call the administration office at 729-4811. The board approved bill #3337 that created a contract for the sale of property from the City of Salem to MFA Cooperative Association, and approved Bill #3338 amending the 2016 City of Salem fiscal year budget to allow adjustments to the account for the fireworks fund and also to bring the Park and Recreation Department fund balance up to date when the board of alderman did not budget any funds the year sales tax began being collected. The board went on to approve Bill #3339 repealing Ordinance #3300 concerning compensatory time off, vacation and holiday pay; and also approved Resolution #4-2017 which adopts a new policy on fund raising, donations and sponsorships for the City of Salem. The board approved the bid from Scenic Rivers Industries to replace 17 picnic tables in the city parks, repair 13 other picnic tables all with pressure treated wood and replace the wood on the teetor totters at the Carol Midyett Park for a total of $3,290. They also approved the nomination of Greg Sanders to the Park and Recreation Board to replace David Wells who resigned. The meeting was then adjourned.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released some reports. On July 25th, deputies responded to Dent County Road 3273 for the report of property damage. The victim reported that their mailbox was damaged and spray painted. This report is still under investigation. On Saturday, August 5th, deputies noticed a vehicle parked near the front doors of Mount Herman Church and made contact with the driver. When the door was opened, smoke rose from the vehicle. After a short investigation, a 20-year old Salem man was arrested for possession of marijuana, fingerprinted, and released on a summons to appear in court. On Sunday, August 6th, deputies and troopers from the highway patrol recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen from Crawford County. The vehicle was located on Dent County Road 3260. If you have any information about any investigations, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.
The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board will be meeting this evening at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in Room B. At the meeting, the board will receive a report from Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon about current work and future work being done at the City Park and Al Brown Fields. This includes the new concrete work around the concession stand between the ball fields, the planned steps and handicapped ramps at Al Brown Field, the new trashcans for the larger pavilions that have been purchased with more to come, an update on the construction start for the All-Inclusive Playground and new layout, and the work the Scenic Rivers Industries has done on the old wooden bleachers at Al Brown, the painting of the old Al Brown Concession Stand and storage area as well as other work scheduled for them. He will give an update on the splash pad grant and discuss the neighboring swimming pool visits with his findings. Lydon will also discuss the signups for the Flag Football Program and he would like to begin an adult Co-Ed Volleyball League. He also will talk about some new “Thank You” signs that are to be erected where improvements are being made in the parks. The board will receive a copy of the new fundraising city policy and there will be an update on the soccer field project. Any other business will then be discussed before the meeting is adjourned. The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board of Directors will be meeting Wednesday evening at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory and the meeting is open to the public.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reports Route AC in Dent and Reynolds Counties will be closed while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement milling repairs. The section of road is located from Highway 32 in Dent County to the end of state maintenance in Reynolds County. Weather permitting, the work will take place Thursday, August 10th through Tuesday, August 15th from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon daily. Then, MoDOT announced that Route J in Reynolds County will be closed while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement milling repairs on that road. The section of road is located from Route KK to Highway 49. Again weather permitting, the work on Route J will take place Tuesday, August 15th through Thursday, August 17th from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon daily. These work zones will be OPEN TO LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY and will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
Summer’s End Kid’s Free Fishing will be held Saturday August 12th from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Fishing tags are free for children ages 15 and under on this day only to fish in Montauk State Park. Kids must pick up a children’s free fishing tag at the lodge on Friday evening after 7 p.m. or anytime on Saturday. The tags are required for kids fishing on this day. Kids can fish anywhere inside the park, no designated fishing area will be set aside. Adults must have a daily trout tag to assist children fishing if they touch the pole in any way.