News – Thursday, April 17th 2025

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen convened for their regular session on Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium, located at 202 N. Washington Street. Following roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and invocation, the Board approved the agenda with the removal of Resolution 7-2025. Mayor Greg Parker presented former East Ward Alderman Shawn Bolerjack with a recognition award for his distinguished service. After certification of election results, three officials were sworn in: Alderman Nathan Kinsey (East Ward, Unexpired Term), Alderman John Whelan (West Ward, two-year term), and Alderman Rick Letchworth (East Ward, two-year term). The Board subsequently elected Alderman Letchworth as president. Mayor Parker’s reappointments to various municipal bodies, including the Planning and Zoning Board, Utility Committee, Parks and Recreation, and Airport Board, were approved with Alderwoman Cathy Dent casting the sole dissenting vote. The Board unanimously approved the High School Senior Parade road closure request, maintaining the traditional route; J&M Construction and Fencing’s $40,650.00 bid for fence and gate replacement at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, to be funded from the sewer reserve fund which currently has a balance of $125,000.00, with potential FEMA reimbursement; Sunbelt Solomon’s $11,055 proposal for eleven transformers at $1,005 each, with $7,500 to be transferred from the equipment maintenance fund into the transformer fund to facilitate the purchase. The Board discussed and approved several resolutions, including: Resolution No. 13-2025, authorizing the Mayor to sign the Quit-Claim Deed transferring ownership of 306 E. Second Street to Sherri Harweger; Resolution No. 14-2025, approving the three-year Tower Lease Agreement with Wave Internet, which renews a longstanding arrangement that will generate $1,200 annually for the Water Department’s Rents and Royalties line item; and Resolution No. 16-2025, declaring support for the preservation of the Federal Tax Exemption of Municipal Bonds. During City Officials’ reports, Mayor Parker announced that the Carry the Cross event would take place at the Crossroads Friday morning from 7:00 to 11:00 today. City Clerk Tammy Kohler reminded citizens to remove all decorations from cemetery graves to facilitate staff cleanup and preparations for Memorial Day. City Administrator Sally Burbridge presented the Public Works report, while Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois explained that playground repairs cannot commence until temperatures consistently remain above 40 degrees for a two-week period. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports for April 9th and 10th. On Wednesday Deputies arrested a 61-year-old Salem woman on an active felony warrant. The woman was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Also, on Wednesday Deputies arrested a 56 year old Edgar Springs woman on an active felony warrant. She was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. One more arrest occurred on the 9th when Deputies conducted a traffic stop on South Maple Street. During the course of the stop, a 26 year old Salem man was arrested for a drug offense and transported to the Dent County Jail. Then on Thursday the 10th, Deputies took a Property Damage report. The victim, a 36 year old Salem man, advised the window was broken out of his truck. The incident was determined to be weather-related. Also, on the Thursday Deputies arrested a 36 year old Salem man on an active felony arrest warrant. The man was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. If you have any information on an investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.