News – Thursday, February 12th 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a workshop prior to its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street to discuss policies regarding the use of City Hall. Discussion items included the installation of gates and the locking of certain rooms to restrict access to sensitive areas and protect records; safety concerns related to opening the balcony to the public; and the possible placement of a mat to protect the stage floor. The board also addressed damage to the floor finish caused by tape, paint splatter on the exterior stairs, and security concerns related to locking and unlocking the building after business hours. Additional topics included implementing a refundable cleaning and damage deposit, posting a PDF version of the facility’s rental application on the city’s website, exploring keycard or pin-pad entry systems, and considering discounted fees for productions requiring extended use of the facility over several weeks. Upon conclusion of the workshop, the Board of Aldermen called its regular meeting to order. Following prayer and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, City Administrator Sally Burbridge presented the annual Net Metering Report, noting that the city received 14,663 kWh from three residences within city limits that utilize solar power. The board voted to table action on engineering firm recommendations until the next meeting to allow additional research on the firms under consideration. The aldermen also approved painting the new water tower blue in accordance with the results of a public vote. Alderman John Whelan cast the sole dissenting vote. Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois requested a $10,000 budget adjustment for the purchase of rock to mitigate creek erosion. Funding will come from the prior year’s fund balance, which currently totals approximately $636,000. A portion of eligible expenses may be reimbursed by FEMA, which would offset the fund balance expenditure if approved. Installation of the rock will be completed by the City of Salem Street Department staff. The board approved the request. The board also approved a bid from Behlmann Dodge for the purchase of a new 2026 Dodge Ram truck with a utility bed and 21 miles for $61,879 to replace the Construction Department’s 2005 Ford F-450, which has 131,000 miles, a history of extensive repairs, and a current oil leak. In response to a question from Mayor Greg Parker regarding warranty coverage, Public Works Director Steve Paine stated the vehicle includes a five-year, 60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. A second reading of Bill No. 3695, concerning mid-year budget adjustments, excluding the recently approved Parks and Recreation adjustment, was approved. The board also approved first and second readings of the following measures: Bill No. 3696, authorizing Change Order No. 2 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Phase 2 Improvements Project, to extend a 1.25 inch potable water supply line across the WWTP, totaling $12,469.00 to be paid out of prior year’s funds; Bill No. 3697, and Bill No. 3698, to install lighting on the water tower. The cost of this project comes to $81,800.25 and will include strengthening the handrail support for lights to illuminate the tower face/logo facing the AirEvac pad and highway. This would cost the city the 1% match in the amount of $468.00. Following reports from city officials and the aldermen, the board adjourned into executive session to discuss matters related to attorney-client privilege, real estate, and contracts. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen is scheduled for February 24 at 6:00 in the Auditorium, and is open to the public. 

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday, February 10th at the firehouse for their regular monthly meeting. After previous board meeting minutes were approved, the financial reports as well as the bills, payments and statements were also reviewed and they were all approved. The board discussed the Junior Firefighter Program policy and the board approved to adopt the policy as presented by Derrick Marfitt. The board is still waiting on more information on the lease on the old Fidelity Tower, now owned by CTI, so that was again tabled. The board approved a policy with spending limits for the fire chief as well as emergency spending and disposal. Under New Business, the board approved allowing the Red Knight Motorcycle Club to use the fire station parking lot on June 13th or on their rain date of June 27th. Coroner Ben Pursiful was not able to attend the meeting and that discussion will have to held at a later date. Fire Chief Derek Thomas presented the monthly reimbursement report that showed the fire district responded to 18 calls in January and a total of 33 calls for the year. There were nine fire calls comprised of a chimney fire, four grass fires, two structural fires, and two other outside fires. Other calls responded to were an electrical hazard short circuit, a carbon monoxide release, a motor vehicle collision, a motor vehicle entrapped extraction, a fire alarm, two unknown calls and a standby call. The next board meeting was then set for March 10th at 6:00 in the evening at the Dent County Fire Protection District firehouse. Following the closed session, the meeting was adjourned.