Archive for 2021

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Brad Nash appointed Tammy Koller in the temporary City Clerk position. In bids, the board approved the grinder pump and equipment at the Salem City Park Little League ball fields totaling $86,993. This is a budgeted purchase and both items came in under the budgeted amount. Planning and Zoning Chairman, Gary Brown, reported on their recent Board of Adjustments meeting where they recommended approving the subdividing of 805-807 North Henderson into three separate parcels. The Aldermen approved this request. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden reported that the city’s Transportation Alternative Program application submitted to MRPC was scored the highest in the region. The application now goes to MoDOT for approval. This project will improve the sidewalks on 4th Street from Iron Street west to Highway 19 on the South side and then on both sides of 4th Street from Highway 19 to Jackson Street. Walden explained the upcoming city budget and how the process proceeds through staff and supervisors, the Capital Improvements Committee, then on to the Finance Committee and final approval to the Board of Alderman. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory had 5,104 participants in January. The board heard from Matt Griswold with People Centric Consulting regarding a recent Path Finder Survey that was conducted with city staff and aldermen. There were 20 surveys completed and 15 in person interviews conducted to help build a high performance culture within the city staff. Some issues to work on include; update job descriptions, conduct manager trainings, install a check in process between staff and managers, conduct goal setting and share the results. The board approved Bill #3472 to lease tower space for one year to Wave Internet Technologies; and Bill #3473 to allow Mayor Brad Nash to execute a change order between the City of Salem and Smith and Edwards Construction, Inc for the Waste Water Treatment Facility Phase 1B improvements. This change will add the replacement of pump equipment at the Westwood Grinder Pump Station and the Ballpark Grinder Pump Station as well as extend the completion date. The board also approved Resolution #4-2021 that would allow the City of Salem to pursue entering into a guaranteed energy savings contract with Energy Solutions Professionals. This is a state program, similar to the recent lighting project energy savings audit, where energy savings are guaranteed by the contractor. There is possible funding through a Community Development Block Grant-COVID 19 application that will be submitted for a maximum of $500,000. If this grant is received, the total the city would spend to correct all issues is $25,000 per year. The board appointed Melissa DuBois as the city representative to the Dent County Extension Council before going into closed session to discuss the attorney/client privilege.

The Salem Quiz Bowl Teams played their first tournament of the year and the first virtual tournament ever Saturday, February 27, when they competed in the annual SCA Tournament. Houston hosted the tournament virtually. The Salem Varsity finished in Third Place and Salem JV finished in Second Place. Martin Jones, Varsity Captain, took seventh place overall in the Varsity Division. Two JV players, Tyler Seabaugh and Dylan Seabaugh, took third and fifth place respectively in the JV Division. In the first game of Varsity play, Salem easily defeated Mountain Grove, winning the match by a score of 520 to 190. Unfortunately, Salem drew a bye for the second game and the third game was delayed due to technical difficulties. The Tigers lost their momentum and was defeated by Thayer, 410-220 In the afternoon semifinals, Thayer beat Salem again, this time by the score of 420 to 280. Salem went on to play for Third Place, winning easily over Mountain Grove, 420 to 170. In JV play, Salem beat Thayer in the first game, 260 to 160; and Mountain Grove in the second game, 210 to 100. In the 3rd game, Salem lost to the Houston JV, 360 to 110. In the JV semifinals, Salem beat Mountain Grove again, but due to technical difficulties, the final game was not held, which left the teams finishing in the order they were seeded. Salem’s next meet is another virtual tournament being hosted by Houston on April 10th. The Virtual tournaments are the only choice at this time. They are played using a virtual on-line buzzer; a virtual playing location using either Google Meet or Zoom; and they feature a virtual reader and score keeper. The questions are the same as usual in-seat play, but the setting is very different, since the teams play remotely from their home schools. Districts have not yet been decided, but MSHAA has ruled that if they occur they will by in-seat. The teams are coached by Susan Sheeley and Will Hubbs.

The opening day of the catch-and-keep trout season began yesterday morning at 6:30 at Montauk State Park. There were 1,603 adult trout tags and another 190 youth tags sold as of 4:00 Monday afternoon. A number of lunkers were caught during the day with the largest being a 5 pound, 5 ounce rainbow by Cameron Frederick of Mountain Grove. There were two rainbows caught that weighed in at 5 pounds, 2 ounces. They were caught by Justin Waneka of Rolla and Eldon Kaufmann of Perryville. The largest trout caught by a woman on opening day was a brown trout reeled in by Morgan Elliott of Valle Mines that weighed in at four pounds even. The catch-and-keep season will be in effect until October 31st.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance due to an illness. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray was named acting presiding commissioner for the meeting. He recognized Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge who presented her monthly report. She updated the commission on some of her ongoing projects and mentioned that one Dent County business received funding through the CARES Revolving Loan Fund through the MRPC. She mentioned updates continue on the new Salemmo.com website and that the county domains are functioning. She also stated she is working on the Voluntary Residential Demolition Program and working on a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the city and Salem R-80’s Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed. Burbridge said Moonlight Madness will return on June 12th to downtown Salem on 4th Street. She said she also received an email stating she did not need a Habitat Study for the Indiana Bat at the certified Site in the Industrial Park, but tree clearing still can’t be done until November. In the road report, Mobray stated work is being done on a wheel bearing on tractor #8, and tires are being replaced on the Durapatcher. He reported work was being done on Dent County Road 5615 and workers will be checking the roads for damage from the weekend rains that were much heavier in the southern part of the county. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2500, 2510 and 3510 while materials will be added and grading done on county roads 3140 and 3180. Larson indicated materials only would be added to county road 2530 and brush would be cut on county road 5300. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to register to vote for the April 6th Municipal Election will be March 10th while absentee voting is going on now at the courthouse. Curley said the testing of the voting equipment will be at 9:00 on Mach 23rd at her office. She reported she attended the MAC Conference Board meeting last Wednesday in Jefferson City and then met with legislators Senator Brown and Representative Copeland as well as Secretary of State Ashcroft. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles texted in that he met with Senator Brown and Representative Copeland and asked them to inquire to the Division of Taxation in the Department of Revenue to get a better explanation as to why the county is being penalized its sales tax receipts for two and a half months. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the CART Taxes that were received the last week in February. This year, the county received $56,542.44 while last year they received $57,927.57. That comes to $1,385.13 less than 2020 and year-to-date, the CART taxes are down $2,406.99. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer came in to let the alderman know that about ten percent of people used the Assessor Portal. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday, March 8th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda the board will review the minutes of the February meeting before hearing the financial report and the approval of bills. Next will be the calendar review and the monthly reimbursement report. The board will then hear any old or new business and various reports before going into closed session if needed. The date will then be set for the April meeting before adjourning.

Grace Harbor will be having a color run/walk Saturday, March 13th sponsored by Salem United Methodist Church. Registration will be from 8:30 to 9:00 with a 10:00 start time. Proceeds from the $25 entry fee will go this worthy cause. Each participant will receive a bottle of water. For more information you can call 573-247-7062.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00. At the meeting, Mayor Nash will appoint someone to fill the temporary City Clerk position. In the hearing of persons, the board will hear from Wendell Light who lives at 1300 South Wines about his utility bill. Under bids, the aldermen will hear a bid for a grinder pump at the Salem City Park Little League ball fields. After the consent agenda, the board will hear an update from Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown on the subdivision of 805 and 807 North Henderson. They will also get an update from City Administrator Ray Walden on city projects. The board will hear Bill #3472 to lease tower space for one year to Wave Internet Technologies; and Bill #3473 to allow Mayor Brad Nash to execute a change order between the City of Salem and Smith and Edwards Construction, Inc for the Waste Water Treatment Facility Phase 1B improvements. This change will add the replacement of pump equipment at the Westwood Grinder Pump Station and the Ballpark Grinder Pump Station as well as extend the completion date. The board will also hear Resolution #4-2021 that would allow the City of Salem to pursue entering into a guaranteed energy savings contract with Energy Solutions Professionals. In new business, the board will appoint a city representative to the Dent County Extension Council before going into closed session to discuss the attorney and client privilege. The meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened just after noon on February 14th. The report from the Salem Police Department states that a 2012 Kia Soul owned and operated by Paula Stidham of Salem was driving east on Highway 32 and passing through the intersection of Highway 32 and MacArthur. Stidham stated that she swerved to miss a vehicle that was in the turn lane and collided with the curb before coming to a stop. The Kia sustained extensive damage. The report went on to state that Stidham reported she had some chest pains and a juvenile passenger had injuries to his nose.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon at 3:50 in Phelps County on Route V about a quarter mile from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 IC Corporation Bus driven by 54- year old Michelle Johnson of Rolla was traveling westbound and struck the rear of a 1997 Ford Ranger driven by 42-year old Nancy Koon of Rolla. The Ranger was stopped at a stop sign waiting to turn left. Two juvenile females of Rolla, ages 8 and 9, and two juvenile males of Rolla, ages 10 and 11, were occupants in the bus and all suffered minor injuries. All four juveniles were transported to Phelps Health by Phelps Health Ambulance. Another occupant of the bus, a 9- year old juvenile male from Rolla also suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the North Crawford Ambulance. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. None of the injured occupants of the bus were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles sustained minor damage and were driven from the scene.