Archive for 2023

The City of Salem held their regular Board of Alderman meeting Tuesday in the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved Resolution 12-2023 declaring the results of the Municipal Election official where Amanda Duncan was elected as the West Ward Alderman and Shawn Bolerjack was elected as the East Ward Alderman. City Clerk Tammy Kohler then gave them the oath of office. Alderman Bolerjack was then elected as President of the Board of Aldermen. Mayor Greg Parker received approval for his recommendation for the reappointment of citizens to the city’s committees. There are currently two openings on the Finance Committee and anyone that is interested can leave word at the city administration buidling. In the hearing of persons, David Hancock representing the Salem Running Club and Healthy Dent County, reqested a street closure for the May 20th 2nd Annual Run Salem event. Approval was given to close West Fourth Street from Washington to Highway 19 and East Fourt Street from Highway 19 to Iron Street, as well as the Eastbound Lane of East Fourth Street from Iron to Pershing. The board approved Resolution No 13-2023 to execute a contract change order for the 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services doing rehabilitation work at 102 S. Dilworth as part of the Welcome Home project in the amount of $16,350. The board approved a bid from Pierce Asphalt LLC in the amount of $76,550 for an asphalt overlay project to be done this summer on Water Street from Roosevelt to Margaret, on Iron Street from 5th Street to Rolla Road, the Water Street and 5th Street Loop and on Water Street between Center and 2nd Street. The board approved a bid of $29,454 from Hogan Inc for the painting of the retention tank at Well No. 4 as well as an alternate bid of $31,475 to paint the retention tank at Well No. 2 and a bid for Contact Piping Insulation on Well No. 6 and 8 for $7,400. The board rejected the cost of $6,400 for mural painting replacement on the retention tank at Well No.4. It was discussed asking the Salem R-80 Art Club to repaint the tiger mural or look into other options. The board approved OSHA required climbing gear for the new employee enrolled in the MPUA Apprenticeship Program at a cost of $2,036.26. Mayor Greg Parker thanked the citizens of Salem for approving the Sales Tax and Sewer Bond ballot initiatives. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported city crews are currently filling potholes and changing out electric poles. Aldermwoman Sisco has received complaints about the parking situation at the tire shop on McArthur Street. It was recommended that the city look at creating an enforcable parking ordinance and the administration will work with the aldermen and Police Department to come up with a list of streets that need to be included. Melissa Dubois, the Salem Park and Recreation Department Director reported that there are 300 children enrolled in the soccer program. Summer ball sign ups are going on now with 375 signups to date with one week left. The City Pool will open on May 27th with water aerobics in the morning and swimming lesson times are being changed this year. The Spring Creek Garden Club has donated trees that will be planted in the City Park next week. Alderman Sisco reminded citizens that yard waste pickups now need to be scheduled with the city thrrough a work order but that the city’s yard waste site is open at the Industrial Park for citizen use. Alderman Williams reported there will be a Utility Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 12 at 6:15 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The board then went into closed session.

Join a park naturalist on a hike to discover our wonderful world of spring wildflowers at the Johnson Shut-Ins State Park this Saturday. This informational trek will provide details on types of flowers, their medicinal uses, and some wild edibles that can be found right in your own backyard! The group will be hiking the 1.5-mile Horseshoe Glade Trail. All participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks for this adventure. In the event of inclement weather, the hike will be canceled. If you have any questions about this event, please contact the park naturalist, Dairan Elam-Pyles at 573-546-2450, ext. 1003. The hike will begin at 10:00 in the morning at the Johnson Shut-Ins State Park which is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook.

Team members at Current River State Park invite the public to learn to make wildflower jelly from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon this Saturday and Sunday. If you have ever wondered how to make wildflower jelly that you see everyone posting about on social media, this class is for you. Participants should bring their lunch, a water bottle, and small 4 ounce jars to the workshop. Space is limited, so registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Connie Weber at connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov or call 751-1224. Current River State Park is located on Highway 19, approximately 23 miles south of Salem and approximately 15 miles north of Eminence. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley again appointed District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson as the acting presiding commissioner for the day. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated two trucks were adding materials and grading was going to be done on Dent County Road 5630. Mobray also said grading would be done on county roads 5680, 6040 and 6190. Mobray said Boyd Schleicher who did the chip and seal work last year on the county roads was in Dent County last week to take oil samples to see why the work done on the roads is falling apart. Commissioner Larson gave the District 2 road report. Materials are going to be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2370, 3170 and 4060, while only grading will be done on county roads 2200, 3173, 4290 and 6160. He also said a man was going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. County Clerk Curley reported she balanced with the collector and assessor on all collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of March. She said that she will be attending a Missouri Association of Counties board meeting today as she is the District 9 board director. She also stated that she, both commissioners and treasurer Denita Williams would all be attending the MAC Day at the Capital Wednesday to hear speakers that morning followed by a day visiting with senators and representatives. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Local crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to perform pavement work on routes in Crawford and Washington counties during the next two weeks, weather permitting. During each of the operations the roadway will be narrowed with one lane with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zones from 6:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. Going on now in Crawford County, the work will be on Highway 8 from Steelville to the Washington County line, and also on Highway 19 from Becker Road to the city limits of Cuba. The work in Washington County will be held today through Thursday on Highway 21 from Highway 8 to Highway 32 east. All work is weather-permitting, and the schedules are subject to change. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with them by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. For more information about MoDOT projects, traffic updates, or other transportation-related matters, please visit our Traveler Information Map at modot.org or call our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). While at modot.org, sign up for work zone updates sent directly to your inbox. Information is also available 24/7 by connecting with us on social media.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. After the approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the Board will canvass the certification of the Municipal Election results of April 4th, 2023, and approve them. Resolution #12-2023 will be read and accepted declaring the results official. Elected officials will then be sworn in followed by the reorganization of the Board, plus any committee appointments to be made by Mayor Greg Parker. In the hearing of persons, David Hancock will request street closure for the Annual Run Salem 5K-10K and Family Fun Color Run event. In new and miscellaneous business Resolution #13-2023, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a contract Change Order No. 1 between 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services, the City of Salem, and Diana Foster property at 102 South Dilworth Lane, is to be addressed. The board will hear from Public Works Director Mark Nash about asphalt bids for four city projects,. He will also present bids for the contact tank painting project for the water retention tanks with alternatives, and discuss bids on electric department climbing gear. The Board will go in to closed session to address proposals and contracts. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight at 6:00 is open to the public.

A music trivia fundraiser for the upkeep of the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History as well as the ability to continue to provide the programs for the area children will be held this Saturday evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The cost is $300 per team which can be made up of no more than six members. KSMO Media will provide the samples of music the participants will try to identify from many decades of songs from all music genres. For more information or to sign up your team, call 573-247-1742.