Archive for 2025

The City of Salem reports the city administration office building offices will be closed from noon until 2:00 in the afternoon today for a staff Christmas luncheon. If paying your bill utility bill, please use one of the city’s remote payment options. You can call the Automated Phone Pay at 1-888-443-4087, pay on the web at www.salemmo.com/city and then scroll to “Online Utility Payments”, or you may use the Drop Box in the drive-through at the administrative office. 

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday, December 9th, at #2 South Main. Previous minutes were approved, the financial reports were reviewed, bills, payments and statements were reviewed and approved, the current budget and reconciliations were reviewed and approved, the 2026 Budget was reviewed and approved, and the monthly reimbursement report, which showed 15 calls for November and 251 for the year, was approved. In Old Business the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease was approved to be paid. Chief Thomas went over the Rescue Tools Quotes, and he said they needed about $2,500.00 of hose fittings. The Board approved a maximum expense $2,500.00 for fittings. The Policies and Procedures were reviewed and left as is. New Business the Board agreed to sponsor a table at the Hospital Fundraiser Dancing with the Salem Stars. Chief Thomas reported that the Christmas Parade went well and that the Firehouse grant contract is in and ready to be signed. The next meeting date and time were set for January 13th at 6:00 at DCFPD. The Board went in to closed session at 7:18 to discuss personnel and contracts and returned from closed session at 9:15. In closed session the Board voted to add Colleen Montoya and Connor Montoya to the department Jr FF Roster. The meeting adjourned at 9:29.

Would you like to schedule a call with a tax representative regarding your tax matters? Appointments can be scheduled with a tax representative regarding individual income tax questions or business tax questions including “MyTax” portal; business tax registration; sales; use; employer withholding; or corporate income tax. Tax preparers can also schedule a call for individual income tax or business tax questions. Simply enter dor.mo.gov/taxation/scheduletaxcall into your browser to go to the site to schedule your appointment. 

Create a Chunky Knit Blanket tomorrow afternoon from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Creative Arts Center with Danielle Kissir at 204 South Main Street. Learn how to finger knit a large lap throw/chunky blanket in the colors of Christmas! This is a beginner friendly class and is fun for everyone age 10 and above. The cost is $75 which includes six skeins of colored chunky yarn and patterns, or $35 if you bring your own chosen colors of chunky yarn totaling six. You must sign up for this class by 11:50 tonight. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com

Nine Salem R-80 High School students had works that placed at the Arts Rolla High School Competition. Taking 1st place was Ellie Turner, while Clara Cooper took 2nd place. Honorable mention winners included Haley Yerk, Clara Cooper, Ruby Allen, Deanna Moore, Lea Deller, Olivia Hardin-Metcalf, and Allie Walters. Congratulations to these students!

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said work continues on Dent County Road 2440 as workers continue to rebuild portions of the road by adding rock and spreading it out. He also stated another crew will be inspecting roads with low water crossings and bridges to make sure the debris has been removed from those areas. Green went on to report that county truck #79 is being worked on. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported some of his crew will also be working on Dent County Road 2440 with the District 1 crews by hauling and spreading rock. He went on to say that brush is being cut on county road 2270 and another county truck is being serviced at the shed. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday at the MRPC offices and the bridge on Route TT has slipped from the highest TAC priority for repair to third. They also discussed fatalities in the Meramec Region as well as statewide. With the fatality accident last week on Highway 72, Dent County has had five people killed in auto crashes this year. Statewide, the number of fatalities has fallen from 880 in 2024 to 848 in 2025 with still just over two weeks remaining. Larson also said at the External Relations Committee meeting, it was reported this year’s Awards Banquet in Salem actually made money for the MRPC. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said candidates can file for available positions for the April 7th Municipal Election for school boards, hospital boards, City of Salem alderman positions, etc. She said those who want to file will do so at the entities office, NOT at the courthouse, and if they have any questions about the qualifications to run for the position they choose, potential candidates need to contact those individual entities themselves, not her office. Curley also mentioned that her office continues working on the budget for 2026. She went on to say her office balanced with the Dent County Treasurer’s Office on all accounts for the month of November. At the last meeting, Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire came in to discuss two new hires in her office and their pay scale. They will start at $16 per hour and in six months, will receive a 4% cost of living adjustment. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tonight at 5:30 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. Salem Middle School students will receive recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business, the Board is to approve MSBA Policy upgrades and an SRO MOU. The Board will consider FFA Trips and will approve tuition for the 2026-2027 school year. No Transfers are to be considered, the hiring of bus drive John Nolan will be considered, and Ron Light’s resignations/retirement will be considered. The Board will enter closed session, followed by adjournment, after returning to open session. The regular meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Utility Committee held its regular meeting last Wednesday evening at 6:15 in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. Co-Chair Alderman John Whelan presided in Chairman Alderman Kinsey’s absence. After roll call and approval of the agenda and previous minutes, Whelan read Kinsey’s prepared chairman’s report, which began with recognition of former committee member Harold Hamilton, who recently passed away, for his dedication and service to the Salem community. Kinsey’s report also included instructions on how to navigate the city’s website to locate current utility rates. The committee then discussed the sewer plant mitigation projects and FEMA recommendations. To date, the city has received $43,392 in FEMA reimbursements for emergency services to restore power at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and operate a generator; $46,895 for replacing oxidation rotors and installing a new WEG motor; and $59,349 for replacing a three-phase breaker, engineering services, and various electrical components. In total, the city has received $149,636 in FEMA reimbursements. The WWTP still needs to replace fencing, aerator panels, and six electrical panel boxes. This project is estimated at $250,255, with $187,691 expected to be reimbursed, leaving the city’s final cost at $62,564. FEMA has also recommended several mitigation efforts, including raising electrical panels six feet and installing a concrete barrier around the main panel to reduce future flood damage. The recommended mitigation projects total $82,565. FEMA has not yet confirmed whether any of these proposed mitigation costs will be reimbursed. If not reimbursed, the city would be responsible for an estimated $145,129, which would be paid from the Sewer Reserve Fund, reducing its balance from $265,836 to $120,707. Committee member Kyle Williams initially made a motion to reject all projects, expressing concern about placing additional financial strain on citizens already facing rising sewer service costs. Williams later rescinded his motion after City Administrator Sally Burbridge clarified that the city has already been approved to proceed with the initial project involving fencing, aerator panels, and electrical panel replacements. Williams then made another motion to delay approval of FEMA-recommended mitigation projects until FEMA confirms whether they will reimburse the city. At that time, if necessary, the committee will call an emergency meeting for a vote, as FEMA has imposed a July 2026 deadline for completing all WWTP projects. The amended motion passed. Burbridge also reported that Viking Industrial Painting – Water Tower Painting & Maintenance is developing a proposed maintenance schedule and pricing. Following the financial report from Finance Director Stacy Houston, billing updates from Shannon Letchworth, and a utilities crew report from Steve Paine, the meeting adjourned. The next regular Utility Committee meeting is scheduled for February 11 in the auditorium and is open to the public.

According to the City of Salem, recent high winds have blown several flower arrangements from headstones and gravesites at Cedar Grove Cemetery. If you are missing any arrangements, please check with staff at the Cemetery shop. They have collected the items found on the grounds, and you may stop by to reclaim any that belong to your loved ones.

The US Postal service reminds people that during the holidays, they have established certain dates they recommend you mail your package or letter by to ensure that your package or letter will be delivered on time. To make sure that your gifts arrive by December 25th, send your gift using USPS Ground Advantage by tomorrow, December 17th. If you are using the USPS Priority Mail service, you will need to mail your gift by December 18th. The latest date you can still send your gift that will arrive before Christmas Day would be December 20th by using the USPS Priority Mail Express service. If you need to buy stamps, ship from home or take advantage of other services provided by the postal service, go to usps.com/sendjoy.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Monday evening in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. Before the meeting began, Mayor Greg Parker announced that a public hearing scheduled to discuss the annexation request submitted by Terry and Shirley Perkins would need to be rescheduled. Due to insufficient time to provide the required public notice in the Salem News, the hearing will be moved to the December 23 meeting. The representative scheduled to give a presentation on behalf of the U.S. Small Business Administration was also absent, though Mayor Parker said he hopes the presentation can be rescheduled for the next board meeting. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board accepted a bid from Willard Asphalt Paving in the amount of $17,940 for cold mix asphalt. The material will be used to patch potholes and water and wastewater cutouts in existing streets to improve smoothness and safety. Funding will come from the city’s general fund for street maintenance; the remaining balance in that fund was not specified. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved renaming the city’s existing “Seniority Pay” practice, established 30 years ago, to the Annual Longevity Pay Amendment, which will also be added to the employee handbook. Full-time employees, as defined by the manual, will receive annual longevity pay at a rate of $41.60 per completed year of service, up to a maximum of $832 after 20 years. The board also approved the updated Mobile Device Policy, formerly the Cell Phone Policy. The revisions broaden the policy to include tablets and iPads, provide a stipend for first-level supervisory positions, identify which positions should be issued a city-owned device, and remove outdated language requiring usage tracking between city and personal minutes. Most of the devices covered by the policy are already in use and budgeted for; however, a few new devices will be added at a cost of approximately $40 per line per month. The total additional cost is estimated at $240 per month across six departments, plus $200 per month for five new $40 stipends for leadmen using personal phones for city business. The Aldermen then approved Resolution 28-2025, supporting the submission of a financial aid application to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for an Emerging Contaminant Grant in the amount of $792,326.94. The grant, which requires no local match, would fund the removal and disposal of PFAS materials from the city’s wastewater treatment facility. The first and second readings of Bill No. 3639, an ordinance annexing the Church of Latter-day Saints property, were read and approved. During the reports of city officials, Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield requested the reappointment of Nathan Wills and Jeff Dodson to the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board for an additional five-year term. The request was approved. Public Works Director Steve Paine provided updates on the city’s utility crews. Alderwoman Catherine Dent announced that the Beautification Subcommittee of the Community Involvement Committee will meet on the evening of January 6 at 6:00, and the Salem Community Choir will hold a concert on December 20 at 7:00 at the Salem Christian Church. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled for December 23 at 6:00 p.m. and is open to the public.