Archive for 2021

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Marty Anderson talked with the board about his concerns with customer service concerning his electric bill that he could not get explained to him starting in December and continuing into April. Alderwoman Kim Steelman apologized and asked that someone with city contact Anderson first thing the next day. The board approved the request by FFA Advisor Heather Johnson to block off 1st and 2nd streets to allow the Lower Elementary and Developmental Preschool students to attend Farm Day with numerous animals. After the consent agenda was approved, the board approved the bid of $12,524.00 from Fleetwood Pyrotechnics, LLC for the purchase and setting off fireworks for the 4th of July. The board also approved the bid of $4,592 for an undercounter Biochemical Oxygen Demand Incubator from Fisher Scientific. The board then approved Resolution #8-2021 for the leasing of the Dent County Commons for a $1,500 maintenance fee for the 2021 Fourth of July Fireworks, and approved Bill #3478 allowing the mayor to execute an agreement for the TAP grant project between the city and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to improve sidewalks on 4th Street downtown. The board voted no to the 8% increase on renewing the current health insurance policy for employees from United Healthcare and approved putting the health insurance out for bid and then hold a workshop to discuss the bids. The board approved Bill #3479 that allowed the mayor to sign an agreement between the city and Donald Maggi, Inc. for the Route J and Highway 72 sewer extension at a cost of $382,114.50, approved Resolution #10-2021 between the city and Terex Financial Services for the lease of a new Terex Commander 5048 model hydraulic rotating digger derrick with a turntable winch that will be paid over 560 months at $3,599 per month, and approved Resolution 11-2021 that will allow the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Specialty Fleet Rentals for the lease of a 47 foot digger derrick truck at $5,250 per month and $1,772.50 delivery fee to to be used until the new truck can be delivered in 12-15 months. The board went on to approved Resolution #12-2021 and #13-2021 to accept a perpetual utility easement on Highway 19 south on property owned by Bryan and Rebecca Smith, and for perpetual utility easements on Route J and Highway 72 on numerous parcels. The board tabled a resolution to use Fusion Link Communications, LLC to create a communications plan for the city, but did approve Resolution #15-2021 between the city and Exceleron Software, LLC that will allow customers to pay by credit card, debit card and e-checks through a mobile application and online through the payment portal called, “My Usage” for a set-up fee of $15,000 and $2,000 monthly fee for 333 accounts to the city. City Administrator Ray Walden said utility bills have been sent out for the period January 9th through February 8th. Walden said the next billing will be from February 8th through May 15th and will provide residents with options on paying the bill including full pay, and payment plans. He said the Salem Community Center@The Armory had 4,009 participants in the month of April. Walden stated the Spring Clean Up weeks continue this week and will be held next week as well on your regular pickup day. This is for city residents only. If you have questions about what cannot be picked up, please call Waste Management at 1-800-926-3953. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at 10:10 on Highway 68 about three miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Ford Focus, driven by 50-year-old Laura Lewis of Salem, pulled into the path of a 2009 Nissan Quest, driven by 28-year-old Shelby Wood also of Salem. Both drivers, along with a passenger in the Ford, 40-year-old Jacqueline Hovis of Salem, suffered minor injuries. All were transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by the Salem Ambulance. According to the report, Lewis and Hovis were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident, while Wood was not. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Salem Senior Center is now serving meals in the dining room as well as still offering the curbside service. With the increase in service, volunteers are now needed inside to help serve meals. If you would like more information on how you can volunteer or help, call 729-2373 or stop by the Senior Center at 604 North McGrath Lane and speak with Jody Schaefer.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Randy League from the Midwest Blue Oval Club asked the commissioners for permission for the club to hold their Current River Rally and it will be held on Saturday, September 11th at the courthouse square. As always, all the proceeds raised from the event will go to local charities. The commissioners approved the request. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge went over her report that showed the unemployment in Dent County going down while more people are looking for work. She updated the commission on new business prospects as well as six prospective warehousing and distribution prospects that have been abandoned due to a lack of response, found another site, or elected not to relocate from the current location. Burbridge did report another Dent County business was approved for funding through the CARES Revolving Loan Fund. She also said the website is coming along, but it will be another month or two before the business directory is fully updated. Gary Fiebelman from Dent County Road 4220 was in about the conditions of the road. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray reported that the road was worked on in late November when gravel was added and the road was graded, and in March when a new culvert pipe was installed with more gravel being added and spread around the installation area. Fielbelman requested since the road is closer to District 2 roads that their road crew take over and maintain the road. Mobray said he and Commissioner Larson would discuss it and may agree that whatever crew is closest check the road. There was a number of residents in attendance to discuss a gate that had been installed on Dent County Road 4128 about a year ago that prohibits residents from gaining access to get to the backside of the Bonebrake property for cattle feeding and also to a neighbor’s driveway. The county had maintained the road all the way to a gate that entered the Bonebrake property in the past and even chip and sealed a large portion of that road that is actually beyond the gate. The road had not been legally abandoned by the county and the commission will have Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley review the issue to get his opinion on the matter. In the road report, Commissioner Mobray reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5615 and 6665, plus materials would be added and grading done on county road 6670. Mobray went on to say brush would be cut on county roads 5550 and 5560. He also reported the FLAP projects on replacing the Cooley Bridge and the paving of the Tan Vat hill are moving forward. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 2210 and 2370, while materials will be added and grading done on county roads 2200 and 3140. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2350 and a man may be going to Springfield to pick up oil for the chip and seal repair, weather permitting. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said Anderson and Associates on working on the courthouse evaluation and that he would be in Jefferson City Wednesday to speak with the legislature on behalf of CCAM. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the voter registration canvassing must be done every two years and the residents will be receiving a Blue post card size voter registration card as her office will be mailing the cards out today. If all of the information is correct, please keep the card as that is your legal voter registration ID. If there are errors, please correct them and mail the card back in. You can also correct the errors in her office in the courthouse. If you have any questions, call her office at 729-4144. At 10:00, bids for grader blades and culverts for the Road and Bridge Department were opened. The winning bid for grader blades went to Erb Equipment out of Cuba for $9,350.00 which is below the budgeted amount of $10,000. The winning bid for culverts went to Viebrock Sales and Service out of Sedalia for $31,204.00. The county had only budgeted $20,000 for culverts and may reduce the number they ordered to bring the price down, plus make a budget adjustment as the price of the culverts is not going to come down. They will review all the projects they have scheduled before purchasing the culverts. At the last meeting, Christa Harmon requested the use of the courthouse grounds and parking for the Substance Abuse Opiod Use Disorders Awareness Walk to be held on Saturday, August 7th at 10:00 in the morning which was approved. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Saturday evening at 10:25 in Iron County on Highway 49 in Annapolis. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven southbound by 36-year-old Benjamin Smith of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned, ejecting Smith from the vehicle. Smith suffered serious injuries and was taken by Air Medical to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Smith was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Forshee Towing.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday at the Salem R-80 District Administrative Offices. The board immediately went into closed session where they employed Brittany Brown as a high school science instructor and Bryson Barnes as the high school head football coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

The City of Salem Utility Committee will be meeting tonight at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington before the board of aldermen meeting. Committee Chair Shawn Bolerjack will discuss billing cycle options before adjourning. The Salem Board of Aldermen will then meet this evening in council chamber at 7:00. During the hearing of persons, Marty Anderson from 801 Thomas Avenue would like to discuss his electric bill, and Heather Johnson from Salem R-80 would like to request a street closure between 1st and 2nd streets in front of the Developmental Preschool for Farm Day. After the consent agenda, the board will look at bids for the 4th of July Fireworks and a Biochemical Oxygen Demand Incubator. During the introduction and reading of bills there are eleven items to be discussed. Resolution #8-2021 authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and the Dent County Commons for the 2021 4th of July fireworks display; Bill #3478 would create an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement for the TAP project between the city and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to install and improve pedestrian facilities along 4th Street from Iron to Washington Streets; Resolution #9-2021 would authorize the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and United Healthcare for medical insurance for city employees; Bill #3479 would create an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign an execute an agreement between the city of Salem and Donald Maggi, Inc. for the sewer extension at Route J and Highway 72; and Resolution #10-2021 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Terex Financial Services for the lease of a hydraulic rotating digger derrick with a turntable winch. The board will discuss Resolution #12-2021 and #13-2021 that would authorize the city to accept perpetual utility easements on property on Highway 19 south owned by Bryan and Rebecca S. Smith, and another perpetual utility easement located on or near Route J and Highway72; Bill #3480 that would allow the city to resume assessing utility penalties and disconnect services for non-payment as described under City of Salem Code Chapter 700; Resolution #14-2021 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Fusion Link Communication LLC for public relations; and Resolution #15-2021 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Exceleron Software LLC that would allow customers to pay be credit card, debit card, and E-check through a mobile app and online through the payment portal. The board will then hear from City Administrator Ray Walden who will give an update on city projects. Both the Utility Committee and the Board of Aldermen meeting are open to the public tonight.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews will be making driving surface improvements on Highway 19 in Shannon County this week. Starting on Wednesday, a seal coat treatment will be used to create a smoother driving surface on Highway 19 between Route A and Route KK. Crews will close one lane on each route between 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day. Flaggers and a pilot car will be in place to guide traffic through the work area. Seal coats are a pavement repair process that is used by MoDOT on roads with lower traffic volumes to maximize available resources and extend the life of a roadway. Hot emulsion oil is sprayed onto the surface of the road, followed by finely ground rocks which are then compacted to adhere to the roadway. Excess material is swept off the surface, leaving an improved roadway that will hold up longer against the elements. Drivers are encouraged to slow down in work zones, obey all traffic signs and give crews on the road plenty of room. Delays are possible and MoDOT says they appreciate the patience of travelers while the work takes place. As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, MoDOT is asking drivers to work with us this construction season. Always buckle up and keep your phone down, and slow down and move over in work zones.