News – Tuesday, December 16th 2025

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.