Local News – May 3, 2017

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the city hall council chambers. The Executive Director of Healthy Dent County Sherry Lea discussed with the alderman they would like to apply for another NAP grant through the MRPC to add a gymnasium to the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The NAP grant would provide $500,000 worth of tax credits and they have already been awarded a $250,000 grant that would go toward the project. The total cost of the gym would be about 1.2 million dollars, but the initial amount would be enough to construct the basic gym with other amenities to be added as they raise the money. In order to apply for the NAP grant, Healthy Dent County had to have a current lease running through five years after the expected completion date which would be 2024. So Lea asked to extend the lease between the City of Salem and Heathy Dent County for another ten year through 2027, and that Mayor Brad Nash be allowed to sign the NAP form that states the construction would not be in conflict with any city ordinances or policies. The board approved the request for the new lease and also to allow Nash to sign the form by a 3-0 vote with Alderwoman Shelton abstaining. The board approved the request from Chris Raulston for the Current River Cruisers to close off the streets around the courthouse square with the exception of an area around the Corner Café for the annual car show. Mayor Brad Nash says that a booklet has been prepared for those who want a buy a plot in the Cedar Grove Cemetery as well as the upkeep of the property and the gravesites. There was a discussion on mausoleums and Mayor Nash will review other policies from other cemeteries to bring before the board. These booklets would be available at the city hall, cemetery and funeral homes. The board approved the quote to purchase $16,000 worth of fireworks for 4th of July that will be paid for by $7,400 left in the fireworks fund, a $4,000 request from the tourism tax commission, $1,500 from the CFO Fireworks fund plus possibly a budget adjustment. The board approved renewing the current health insurance policy that features the same rate as last year with a few minor changes in deductibles and the prescription plan. If the city wanted to bid health insurance policies before renewing, there would be an additional rate increase of 2.57% for their current plan. City Administrator Ray Walden said a meeting has been set up to discuss and implement the plans for the TAP Grant and the Unlimited Play All Accessible Playground grant. He also said that a kickoff event for GRO will be held on Wednesday, May 10th with volunteers meeting at the Farmers Market at 6:00 to then disperse to different service events. Walden also said the city would be updating the Economic Development position information in their search for an Economic Development Director. Mayor Brad Nash said the city crews were out taking pictures of any damages from storms this weekend in case Dent County would be included in a Federal Disaster Area. Nash said individuals should also take pictures and document any flood or storm damages in case the area is included as a disaster area. People who would like to submit a damage report with an estimated dollar value to Nash should call him at the fire station at 729-3250. He said there is nono guarantee that anyone will receive funds. The board approved a number of board and committee nominees from Mayor Nash to fill openings. The board also approved the purchase of a Rascal MVP infield machine for field prep from ABI for $4,963 as requested by Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate and contracts.

On April 27th, the Missouri Conservation Commission named Leo A. Drey as the 43rd member of its Hall of Fame for his lifelong advocacy for conservation. Drey’s induction ceremony was held at the L-A-D Foundation’s annual barbeque in Salem. Conservation Commissioner David Murphy was on hand to bestow the honor to Drey’s family. Drey passed away in May 2015 at age 98. His conservation efforts focused on acquiring parcels of land to establish the 150,000-acre Pioneer Forest, which covers parts of Dent, Carter, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Texas counties. He then donated the land to the L-A-D Foundation, which he established as an organization dedicated to preserving areas of outstanding natural or cultural resource value. Drey was dedicated to preserving areas of outstanding natural or cultural resource value. Over the years, he purchased and donated more than a dozen such areas to the Foundation. These sites include state-designated natural areas leased to MDC, areas leased to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for state parks, 35 miles of frontage on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways under scenic easement to the National Park Service, lands transferred to Mark Twain National Forest, and other special designations within Pioneer Forest.

The Doe Run Company is asking its neighbors for input. Now through Wednesday, May 31st, Doe Run will be collecting feedback from community members about the company, its operations and its contributions to the community. They do these surveys every couple of years to gauge how they are doing in the eyes of the community and they ask that you consider sharing your thoughts in a short survey. You can access the survey online at www.doerun.com. The survey consists of a short set of questions that’s estimated to take about five minutes. Again, the deadline to provide your input is Wednesday, May 31.