News – Thursday, May 15th 2025

The Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Auditorium at 202 N. Washington Street. Following the approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the Board authorized a three-year contract with Kristen Deluca Audit Services, LLC. The agreement includes payments of $14,000 for fiscal year 2025–2026, $14,500 for the following year, and $15,000 for the third year. Deluca has served as the City’s auditor for several years. The Board also approved the Airport Engineering Consultants Request submitted by H.W. Lochner. However, the Staff Summary Report was not included in the meeting packet, leaving the fiscal impact unclear. City officials reported that a pre-application has been submitted to the State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for funding through the Hazard Mitigation Program, as well as a full application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), In response to the active storm season, the City published a request for bids for storm siren repairs. The Board voted to reject all submissions to continue pursuing grant options. Under new business, the Board approved Resolution 17-2025, a $10,000 agreement with the Salem Chamber of Commerce, budgeted under the Economic Development fund. They also approved a conditional use permit for a vacation rental at 304 E. Center Street. First readings were held for Bill No. 3654, proposing updates to water rates, and Bills No. 3655, 3656, and 3657, which revise Utility Policies. Additionally, the Board heard the first and second readings of Bill No. 3659, an ordinance to rezone property at 501 S. Grand Street from residential to commercial use. Bill No. 3660, also read twice, a change order with B&H Drilling & Pump Services Inc., authorizing the addition of 6.3 yards of cement grout seal and a steel surface casing due to soft wall material identified in the well. This change order will cost $49,487.33, funded by ARPA grants, with a total City match of $494.87. Bill No. 3661, Change Order No. 2, was approved contingent upon approval by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It authorizes a second well test at a slower flow rate of approximately 200 gallons per minute, gradually increasing to 300 gpm over 24 hours. The initial test, conducted at 450 gpm, resulted in high turbidity . The second test will cost $38,500, funded by ARPA, with a City match of $385. All bills presented were approved by the Board. During reports from City officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge noted that the grant application to replace citywide streetlights was denied; Mayor Greg Parker reminded residents that the Citywide Clean-Up will conclude on Friday; Public Works Director Steve Paine announced that Forester crews will resume work next week to trim trees and foliage around the main feeder lines. Residents will be notified in advance if crews need to access their properties. Debris cleanup will follow trimming efforts. Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois reported that the tile repair at the City playground is scheduled for May 31 through June 13, weather permitting, and that the community pool is set to open on May 24. The meeting concluded with an executive session.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows turkey hunters checked 46,562 birds during Missouri’s 2025 regular spring turkey season, April 21st through May 11th. The top harvest counties for the regular season were Franklin with 956 birds harvested, Callaway with 873, and Texas with 860. Young turkey hunters also harvested a near-record 4,449 turkeys over the spring youth weekend, April 12 and 13, bringing the overall 2025 spring turkey harvest to 51,011. The 2025 harvest showed about an 8% increase in the overall harvest compared to last year, and the largest harvest in Missouri since 2006. Totals for the other counties in our area showed Phelps County with 809 birds taken, Dent County with 691 birds harvested, Crawford County reported 667 turkeys taken, Shannon County had 450 birds harvested, Reynolds County had 257 birds taken and Iron County had 247 turkeys harvested. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 3,739 turkeys over the spring youth season and hunters harvested 43,380 during the regular spring season for a 2024 spring season total harvest of 47,119.