Posts by Stan Podorski

The Board of Aldermen had their regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Auditorium. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board heard a public comment from a citizen who asked about the status of the annual audit conducted at the end of the last fiscal year, and asked if it was the City’s responsibility to provide fresh potable drinking water to its residents; there was no response to the board. The Board approved the application to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) for $220,000 to replace the remaining incandescent street light bulbs with LEDs, and approved Mayor Parker to sign the Financial Assistance Agreement and the General Terms and Conditions documents for the ARPA Waste Water Improvement Project Grant Award. The bid for this project was awarded to Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance, LLC, for the amount of $4.2 million. The Board of Aldermen meeting scheduled for December 26th will be rescheduled to January, pursuant to city code section 110.170. The Board approved the request to reappoint Dustin Howard of The Bank of Salem, and Daniel Salyer of Phil-Mart, to another five year term for the Enhanced Enterprise Zone. City Administrator Sally Burbridge presented the first and second reading for bill number 3536, an ordinance changing the official meeting location for the Board of Aldermen to the City Hall Auditorium. During the city officials’ reports City Clerk Tammy Koller stated that business license renewals were mailed on November 27; businesses should contact her if they have not received theirs. Finance Director Stacy Houston stated she has reached out to the auditor who hopes to have finalized their report by mid-January to present in February. Mayor Greg Parker wished citizens a happy and safe holiday season. Public Works Director, Steve Paine gave an update on the utility crews,  and Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois stated she has reached out to different companies for estimates on replacing the Al Brown fences as well as the dirt and tiles at the playground. Alderwoman Catherine Dent stated the Salem Community Choir will be presenting Festival of Carols the evening of December 20th at 7:00 and again on Sunday the 22nd at 2:00 at the Dry Fork Church off of F Highway. 

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. The board reviewed and approved minutes from the previous meeting. The financial report was reviewed with an ending balance of $187,111.19. All bills, payments, and statements were reviewed and approved. The budget for 2024 and 2025 were reviewed and approved as presented. The monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 15 calls for the month of November bringing the total calls year to date to 233. Some of those calls included seven fires comprised of two grass fires and five building fires, two special incidents, three medical assists, one rescue with the extrication from a structure, one alarm and one public service call. In old business, it was reported a bond or tax issue was discussed and the paperwork has begun. In new business, Chief Dennis Floyd said the AFG grant is about half done at this point, and he stated the ladder truck is going in for repair on December 30th for pumps, hydraulics and air conditioning. Floyd said the annual pump test will be done while the truck is in for repairs. Chief Floyd said the department needs to order a 1 3/4-inch hose which the board approved, and the Salem High School is having a first responder appreciation on December 20th. He also indicated the department will be sending two firefighters for training in February to the MU Fire School. The chief also reported that at the Christmas Party held December 5th, the department retired badge 814 that belonged to the late David Jarvis, and it was presented to Mrs. Jarvis. The next meeting of the board will be January 14th at 6:00 at the fire station. The board then went into closed session before coming back into open session where it was announced that two new firefighters, Dell Hoffmeister and Christian Michno, would begin training for the department. It was also announced that Jeff Stokes, Jr. had been appointed to fill the term of Craig Smith who had resigned from the board. The appointment will be until the April 2025 Municipal Election. The meeting was then adjourned.

Tomorrow night, from 6:00 until 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center, students can learn to make a Chunky Knit Blanket with Danielle Kissir. Learn how to finger knit a chunky blanket. This is a beginners class and is fun for all ages. Crochet or knitting experience is not required but will be beneficial. The class is open to those 10 years of age and older. The cost of the class is $75 with yarn and supplies included. There must at least five people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to ten. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

PJ’s & Pancakes & Fun for the whole family will be held on December 14th from 7:00 to 10:00 in the morning at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory! This event is hosted by the Salem Fireworks Committee to help raise funds for next year’s show. There will be pancakes, coffee, hot chocolate, Christmas movies, and pictures with Santa! Tickets for the event are $10 for adults. For those who are 12 years of age and under, they are FREE! Tickets are available at the Chamber office in Salem, Town & Country Bank, Bank of Salem, Riverways Federal Credit Union, and Progressive Ozark Bank.

The Dent County Opioid Settlement Committee held a meeting Thursday evening at 6:00 in the Dent County Associate Courtroom. After reading and approving the minutes from the previous meeting, the board discussed priorities for funding as well as the amount that an organization can request. With around $324,000 in the budget, the board decided not to set a limit on how much or how little an organization may request. The county priority areas will include: transportation, re-entry services, and community support services including social and legal services. For a full list of priorities, prospective applicants can visit the MRPC website at https://www.meramecregion.org.  The first deadline to submit applications for funding is January 15, 2025. The Board will require applicants to attend the committee meeting on January 30 for discussion and further questions. For additional questions, applicants can contact Lieutenant Rick Letchworth at rickletchworth@dentcountysheriff.org

The annual “Shop with a Cop” was held Saturday at Wal-Mart and it was a huge success. They were able to help bring a Merry Christmas to 48 children in our community which is eight more children than last year!! A special thank you to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Missouri Division of Fire Safety-investigations for shopping with the kids. A special thank you goes out to Wal-Mart for helping coordinate the event and help it run smooth. Finally a big thank you to this community who donated so those children could have a good Christmas. 

It seems black bears are making the news in the St. Louis region each spring as they are beginning to show up more and more in the area.  Since bears are becoming a more common part of the Missouri landscape, especially if travelling to the southern parts of the state, it makes sense to learn more about them. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a chance to do just that through an online class.  Missouri Black Bears is a free virtual program happening Friday, Dec 13, from 3 – 4:30 p.m.  MDC naturalists will cover the most important information Missouri residents should know about the Show-Me-State’s expanding bear population. Once considered extirpated from the state, Missouri black bears are beginning to make an impressive comeback. This program will explore the complicated history of these fascinating mammals, and the research efforts which are helping them return to their former range. It will also discuss how to reduce human-bear conflict as their numbers continue to grow. This virtual program is free and open to the public, however each participant must register separately in advance at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Kb to receive an online meeting link. Log in instructions will be provided to participants beforehand.  The program will be held via Webex and participants will have the chance to use the chat feature for a Question and Answer portion with the naturalists. Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at approximately 8:30 on Highway EE three miles south of Highway 32. According to the Highway Patrol Report, a 2002 International Dump Truck, driven by a 62-year-old Licking male, and a 2006 Sterling Dump Truck, driven by a 74-year-old Jadwin male, struck each other, causing the Sterling’s mirror to strike the driver. The man suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital by a private conveyance. The report stated that there was minor damage to both trucks, and they were driven from the scene and that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a class on making Ceramic Christmas Trees Friday night, December 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 with Danielle Norris in the pottery room. Students can come and glaze your very own keepsake 10-inch Christmas tree! Create a beautiful display piece that can be passed down from generation to generation. The cost is $30 for trees without lights, and $36 with lights. You may paint and take the night of, or glaze and pick up another time. The class is open to those 12 years of age and older. All supplies are included. There must at least four people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 12. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray was not in attendance due to a prior commitment. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk gave the road report for both districts. For District 1, grading was being done on Dent County Roads 5220, 6520 and 6580; and sand will be delivered to the road and bridge department shed. For District 2, Commissioner Polk stated that rock would be added, and grading done on Dent County Roads 2050, while only grading would be done on county roads 2060, 5330 and 5333. He also said crews would be hauling sand to the road and bridge department shed. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the sales tax received in December. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $109,841.05 which is $21,226.57 more than for December of 2023. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are up $81,758.32 which is about a 7.8% increase. The Road and Bridge Fund received $51,830.46 this month, and that is up $10,118.30 from the  money received in December of 2023. Year-to-date, that fund is up $35,549.34 which is close to a 7.3% increase. The Dent County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $104,083.12 in December and that is up $20,237.05 from the December 2023 receipts. Year-to-date, those funds are up $72,261.72 which is about a 7.4% increase.  Williams also gave the CART Tax report from November which showed the county received $82,142.17 and that is down $2,627.21 from November of 2023. Year to date, the CART Tax fund is up $38,645.04. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk gave the November turnover report which showed the collector received $1,805,788.50 in rea estate and personal property tax payments and that money has already been distributed appropriately to the proper taxing entities. She said the increase over 2023 is about 1.2%. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he will be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management meeting and banquet tonight in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley continues to work on the 2025 county budget. The county commission then approved the one bid received for new voting election equipment, software, licenses, etc. from Adkins Election Services for $84,468.00. This includes an $8,700 customer discount. The annual maintenance fee is $6,790. This new equipment should last between eight and ten years. The machines Dent County used in the 2024 elections were already ten years old when the year started and were the second oldest in the state. The commissioners heard from Jeff Banderet from Great Rivers Engineering. He said the TAP grant for the new sidewalks around the courthouse should be bid out in the late spring of 2025 and construction should begin the summer of 2025. Banderet said MoDOT is requiring a Cultural Resource Survey on the entire corridor of the FLAP project 077 which is the road leading in the back side of Montauk. The survey will cost $11,602.17 and will be done by Missouri State archeologists. Once that is finished, permits for the work can be obtained and negotiations for right-of-way can continue. The commission then approved Supplement #3 for FLAP077 for the survey which the county will have to pay before being reimbursed by MoDOT. That expenditure will be added to the proposed 2025 county budget. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the Call to Order will be the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda. Public Comments will then be heard followed by new and miscellaneous business including Resolution No. 2-2024 a resolution by the City of Salem seeking funding with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of Energy for the Missouri Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Funding. The Board will address the acceptance of a WWTF Grant Award, plus reschedule the December 26th Aldermen Meeting, followed by Re-appointments to the EEZ Board. A bill to be considered is Bill No. 3635, an ordinance amending Section 110.170 addressing meeting times of the Board of Aldermen. Reports from City Officials will be heard before adjournment. The meeting Tuesday night of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection district board of directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda which includes the budget review and financial reports, the monthly reimbursement report will be heard. In old business, the board will discuss Bond/Tax issues followed by new business. Chief Floyd will then give his report to the board. The date will be set for the January meeting and Closed Session may be held to discuss personnel, if necessary, before the board adjourns. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said work crews would try to grade Dent County Road 6470, while other workers would be working on the dump bed on County Dump Truck 121 which is going up and down very slow. Mobray also said workers will be out measuring pipes and box culverts as many pipes after the heavy rains need to be extended to widen the road. Mobray said this work would not get done until 2025 once an inventory has been determined and ordered. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2020 and 5310. He said crews would be hauling sand to the shop for Montauk State Park and doing maintenance on county dump truck 124. He said crews may change tires on county truck 122 but Polk said he didn’t think they needed to be changed out yet. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he and Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams attended the opioid settlement committee meeting Thursday night. The commissioners approved roof repairs be made to the Dent County Annex Building for $1,200 and to the Dent County Judicial Building for $2,956 by Hope Construction. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she is working on the county budget and the first day to sign up for positions in the 2025 April Municipal Election begins December 10th at the tax entity for which you want to run. The election will be held on April 8th. Commissioner Mobray announced the county has some surplus property they would like to sell before the end of the year. He said they have a Salt Dog Spreader Box, a 1997 Dodge 1500 pickup, and an old air compressor. Sealed bids may be left at the Dent County Courthouse in the clerk’s office, and they must be submitted by 10:00 in the morning on December 23rd. For more information about these items, call the Road and Bridge department at 573-729-7770. Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance  came in to visit about the new insurance premium through Tokio Marine HCC regarding the county building, property and auto insurance. The county had a 41% increase in their current premium over last year and it came in at $272,000. There were numerous deductibles that changed. Many such as coverage for law enforcement and auto doubled while other such as equipment and buildings more than doubled. Limitations on wind and hail damage to buildings were also added with a much higher deductible. The insurance begins January 1st and the county will not have time to rebid the insurance this year, but they will be taking bids from different insurance carriers during the summer of 2025. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

A 29-year old man from Salem died after a motorcycle crash early Sunday morning at 12:54 on Highway 32 about a mile west of Dent County Road 4350. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the man was riding a 2008 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 westbound when he lost control on a turn and went off the left side of the road. The man was ejected from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull. The man was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident and his body was taken to the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. The motorcycle sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Creative Arts Center will hold a class on Wheat Christmas Stars Thursday evening, at 6:00 with Suzanne Douglass. Students will learn how to prepare the wheat straws, tied knots and how to combine multiple simple stars to make more elaborate ones. The cost of the class is $20. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on Creative Arts Center.