Your World Today

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting this evening at 6:00 in the High School Library for their regular meeting. After the consent agenda the Board will hear communications. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will report on a variety of issues, followed by Administration Reports. In new business the board will approve meal prices for 2021-2022, consider bus purchases, consider fall and spring softball schedule for 2021-2022, consider bids for a storage building, and set the June meeting date if different from June 17th. The Board will then hear resignations before adjourning and moving into Executive Session for the discussion of personnel. The regular Board meeting in the High School Library is open to the public.

The Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool will be opening this weekend and Family Pool Passes are still available for $160 which is good for four people. Any additional family members can be added for $45 per person. Private Pool Parties can also be booked starting at $150 for an hour. For a pool party during regular hours, the cost is $75 which includes thew use of the pavilion and 10 guests. Aerobics and swim lessons will again be offered this year. The pool will be open Monday through Saturday from noon until 6:00 PM and Sunday afternoon from 1:00 until 6:00. The daily cost is $4.00 for children, $5.00 for adults and seniors 62 and older can get in for $4.00. For more information, call 729-6290 of 573-247-6031.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday afternoon at 5:16 on Route 68 about 2 miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report a northbound 1995 GMC Pickup, driven by 24-year-old Zhackiary Heuser of Cook Station, struck a northbound 2000 Ford F150, driven by 64-year-old Jerry Norris, of Salem, in the rear as the Ford was making a right turn. Norris and an 8-year-old Juvenile passenger in the Ford both suffered minor injuries and were transported by EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The report went on to state that all occupants of the two vehicles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage. The GMC was removed by the owner, while the Ford was able to be driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County at the scene by the Sheriff’s Office.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is set to launch a new canine unit through its Protection Branch this summer. The new unit, consisting of five dogs and their conservation agent-handlers, will be stationed around the state and used as necessary to work throughout Missouri. According to MDC, the capabilities of canines are extensive in conservation related
work, but common uses include tracking, evidence recovery, search and rescue, wildlife detection, and public outreach programs. Another rapidly growing use of canines is in the field of endangered and invasive species. There are currently 36 other states using dogs in their conservation efforts. Retriever-style dog breeds were specifically purchased for the MDC program, which consists of three Labrador Retrievers and two German Shorthaired Pointers. The dogs will be used for a variety of enforcement investigations, such as evidence recovery and wildlife trafficking. They will also be used in public outreach programs at fairs and schools. MDC has partnered with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which has its own canine training program, to provide certified canine training services. The canine handlers and their partners initiated a rigorous nine-week training program with Indiana DNR in February and graduated from the program May 14th. The launch of the MDC canine unit is supported through a partnership with both Diamond Pet Foods and Purina, which sponsored the canine team and is providing dog food.

A carnival with proceeds to benefit Grace Harbor Homeless Shelter will be held this Saturday afternoon May 22nd from 2:00 until 5:00 at the Salem United Methodist Church. Tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting Kathy Bryant at 739-9163 or Jenny Summers at 247-7062. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. You are invited to bring your lawn chair, blanket, and your family and friends. Please keep in mind that smoking, vaping, and drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the grounds of the church.

A summer “kick off” will take place at Akers for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The free event features an open-air celebration of the
Akers community beginning at 9:00 this Saturday. The lawn around the Akers Visitor Center will host information booths and exhibits about historic communities on the banks of the Current River. Participants will be able to take part in activities including a paddle from Welch to Akers, a self-guided hike to Welch Spring and cave, a tour of Mt. Zion Church, and a tour of Akers Cemetery with a civil war “ghost”. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/ozar or call (573) 323-4236.

Monday evening Shawn Bolerjack, Chairman of the City of Salem Utility Committee, called the Committee meeting to order. Tammy Walker of Heartland Metal spoke requesting research be done to determine what Heartland’s high water consumption discount is. She noted that the rate is needed for future operations and planning. The discount incentive on electric usage from February 8th through May 15th for customers paying their bill in full with no prior balance due was discussed. The Committee decided to recommend to the Board of Aldermen a 5% discount credit for customers electing to pay using option #1. A sample bill for February 8th through May 15th and an informational letter were discussed. During the fiscal update of utilities City Administrator Ray Walden reported that revenue received for electricity usage was $3,563,525, which is about 65% of the 5.5 million that was budgeted. He went on to report that water revenue was at $641,243, which is 80% of the $800,000 budgeted and that sewage revenue was at $610,886, which is 76% of the $800,000 that was budgeted. Some discussion was held on higher utility bills with the new meters. Administrator Walden noted that the City can have meters tested by an independent agency and if they are faulty the City pays for the testing and adjusts the bill. If the meter is accurate the customer is responsible for the cost of the test and their utility bill amount. The Utility Committee meeting was followed by the Salem Board of Aldermen meeting. In the Hearing of Persons Skip Dahms of 404 West Fourth will be conducting a kids’ festival June 12th and requested that Fourth Street between Henderson and McArthur be blocked off from 12 noon until 4:00. His request was approved by the Board of Aldermen. Police Chief Joe Chase presented information about the cost of renovation of the Police Department Dispatch Center. Chase listed several reasons for the renovation including safety, security, and meeting state and federal requirements for privacy. The renovation cost of $26,492.01 was approved by the Board. Public Works Director Mark Nash presented the bids for undercarriage repair of the 555G John Deere crawler. The bids were for $9,859.78 by Woolf Equipment and $12,441.12 by Erb Equipment. The Board of Alderman approved the bid by Woolf Equipment. Bill #3477, an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to sign and execute task order No. 10 pertaining to an agreement between the City of Salem and C. M. Archer Group, P.C. dated February 3, 2020 for engineering design services related to Phase 2 Improvements at the Waste Water Treatment Facility was approved. Resolution No. 16-2021 adopting a policy based on Utility Committee recommendations to rebate 5% of the stated electric usage billed from February 8, 2021 through May 15, 2021 and processed as a credit to customers’ accounts passed 4-0. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that the January through February utility bills had gone out and that the next bill will be for February 15th through May 15th and is to be mailed June 1st. He noted that correspondence approved by the Utility Committee and the Board of Aldermen would be sent to customers this week. Walden reported on total Sales Tax receipts with one more month to go in the fiscal year. The General Fund receipts were $1,146,633 and $1,012,071 was the budgeted amount. The Parks and Recreation Fund receipts are $392,568 with $375,000 budgeted and the Capital Improvements Sales Tax receipts to date are $523,317 with $500,000 being the budgeted amount. Walden also reported the Utility Revenue amounts that were shared at the Utility Committee meeting. Alderman Bolerjack asked about the Job Posting for City Clerk. Walden said that the recruiter received 13 applications in the first search round. Screenings are scheduled for the 2nd round and interviews will follow that. He said applications were submitted from local individuals, from across the state, and even out of state. Alderman Parker asked about progress on the digger truck. Mark Nash said the truck is supposed to be in this week. Alderman Nash asked about progress on Al Brown Fields. Walden said the issue would be considered by the Capital Improvements Committee. Mayor Nash’s appointment of Brett Capps to the Salem Public Library Board was approved by the Aldermen. The Aldermen voted to go into closed session and the meeting was adjourned.

Grace Harbor Homeless Shelter will be having a benefit fundraiser concert on Saturday, May 22nd, at the Salem Methodist Church, 801 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. The Concert will kick off Saturday afternoon at 5:30 with Bill Bryant and Friends sharing Bluegrass and Gospel music. Bryant and his group will be followed by Collin Nash at 7:00. Nash will sing several country selections during his concert. Tickets for the Concert can be purchased in advance and are $20.00 per person or $35.00 per couple. Tickets during the day of the Concert are $25.00 per person. Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting Kathy Bryant at 739-9163 or Jenny Summers at 247-7062. Since the event is a fundraiser there are no refunds rain or shine. All proceeds go to Grace Harbor Homeless Shelter. Please keep in mind that no smoking, vaping, drugs or alcohol are allowed on the grounds of the Salem Methodist Church.