Your World Today

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the city hall auditorium Tuesday night. During public comments, a citizen addressed a question to alderwoman Catherine Dent as the chair of the utilities committee regarding opting out of the leak protection program. A form was developed by the Concerned Citizens for Salem to have a written form on record for those who opt out of the program. They wanted to know why the form was not accepted by the front desk at the city administration building. Alderwoman Dent deferred to the City Administrator and no answer could be given. The board approved allowing Electric Department Supervisor Josh Kotschedoff to stock up on spools of underground primary wire not to exceed $15,000. The board approved the bid from Salem Heating and Cooling to replace the HVAC System at the City Animal Pound for $7,850. A budget adjustment of $2,850 was approved as only $5,000 had been budgeted. The board approved the bid from Westport Pools for $138,986 to replace the PVC liner in the Salem Municipal Swimming Pool that was damaged by hail. Sally Burbridge made note that insurance adjusters were in town last week to assess all the damage done city wide by the hail. No details from the report are available yet, but it is very likely the $50,000 deductible will be spread across several budgets instead of just the Park and Recreation Department. The bids for the TAP Downtown Project were tabled. The board then approved Resolution #13-2024, stating the intent to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program and authorizing the mayor to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding to reduce the debt obligation for the Wastewater Treatment Facility; Resolution #14-2024, that authorized the mayor to sign an acknowledgment of renewal for health insurance from United Healthcare where the city will pay up to $550 per month for employees of the City of Salem, and Resolution No. 15-2024, a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and Westport Pools for labor and materials to remove and replace the PVC membrane for the city swimming pool. Once the work begins, it is estimated that it will take four weeks for Westport to complete the project. The “holiday trade” for city employees to trade the paid day off of Columbus Day for Friday, July 5th, was approved by the board. The Leak Protection Program Policy was on the agenda to be approved. After board discussion and the hearing of public comments, a motion was made to table the policy until the next meeting so the board could further review the contract. The board approved the purchase of 154 Water Meter Modules from Nexgrid for $20,754. During City Official Reports. several pain-points with Nexgrid were addressed including a broken website and failed communication efforts. A previous city employee offered to provide contact information from other vendors who have indicated the $20K the city is about to spend with Nexgrid would be better spent with a different vendor. The Alderman wondered if it is time to possibly consider legal action against Nexgrid. The board then went into closed session.

The 17th Annual Upper Current River Cleanup will be held this Saturday, June 15th. The locations for cleanup will be Montauk State Park to Baptist Access, Baptist Access to Cedargrove which is eight miles, Cedargrove to Akers which is eight miles, Akers to Pulltite which is 10 miles, and Pulltite to Round Spring which is ten miles. People can also cleanup a put-in/take out area. Registration will be from 8:00 until 10:00 in the morning at Montauk Lodge, Cedargrove, the Akers Lower Landing, or the Pulltte River Access point. This is where you will pick up your mesh trash bags and T-Shirt. For more information about the river cleanup, e-mail contact Jack or Mary Ficker of Stream Team 1028 at jack_maryficker@hotmail.com or call them at 573-729-7065. You can also call the Montauk Park Naturalist office at 573-548-2225 for information on the stream cleanup at Montauk.

The Salem Utility Committee meeting will be held tonight at 6:15 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. At the meeting, the committee will discuss the Serviline Protection Program and hear work reports performed by city employees. A draft budget will be presented and there will be a rate discussion nefore the meeting is adjourn. The meeting was called by Utility Chairman Alderwoman Catherine Dent.

Lt. Levi Hamilton, a native of Rolla, Missouri, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Training Squadron 21 where naval aviators learn the skills they need to fly missions around the world. Hamilton, a 2005 graduate of Rolla High School, joined the Navy 10 years ago. Hamilton also earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Missouri in 2010. Today, Hamilton serves as an instructor pilot assigned to VT 21, a U.S. Navy strike jet training squadron located at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.

This Friday from 2:00 until 4:00 at the Creative Arts Center, participants can learn to Tie Dye with Laura Miller. Students will learn to fold and tie a shirt, apply dye for desired pattern then take home to rinse the next day. Students will choose a pattern to tie, choose a color palette of dye, and have a hands-on experience of creating their own unique wearable art piece. The glass is available to students age 10 to 18 years old and they must be with a parent/legal guardian. Register online at SACBA website and when checking out, please choose a shirt size. The cost is $25 per person and includes all materials and instruction. There must be at least three students to hold the class and it will be limited to no more than 12.

On Thursday, June 13th at Echo Bluff State Park as part of the Women Outdoors program, women can attend “Dutch Oven Cooking: Not Just for Chili”. This class will teach women how to use and maintain a Dutch oven, and then eat some food prepared in a Dutch oven! Meet at the Bluff Top Pavilion at Echo Bluff State Park. The class is free and open to all women 16 and older, but registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, the commissioners discussed a road issue before giving road reports. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6090 while only grading would be done on county roads 5170 and 5510. He said brush would be cut on county road 5015 and a man would be picking up a truck from Springfield that has been repaired. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2200 while only grading would be done on county roads 2190 and 2370. He said brush would be cut on county roads 2250 and 2260 and a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair as well as taking a man from District 1 to bring the repaired truck back. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation board meeting last week in St. James where they discussed the MRPC lease and went over some grants including one for the SMTS busses. He also said he was elected as Vice-Chairman of the MCEC. At 10:00, Randy Beech, who is the Vice President of Special Projects at Royal Oak Enterprises, LLC, and Tim Jones, the plant manager at the Royal Oak plant in Salem, met with the commission on the problems of semi-trucks using and damaging county roads going to and from Royal Oak. Beech discussed Royal Oak wanting to address the problem with a two-pronged approach: the first way was addressing the issue through their bills of lading, and the second was to post signs at the Royal Oak plant in Salem to strategically instruct the drivers once arriving at the plant, be it the warehouse or scales. These signs will use the international symbols and will be installed soon. The county is also planning to install their own signs on the county right-of-way on the county roads to deter the truck traffic. Commissioner Larson said the commission is not against Royal Oak Charcoal being in Dent County and were excited about their expansion, but wanted to find a mutual solution to the trucking issues after the group of citizens made their appearance at the commission meeting. Beech asked if the commission had an ordinance prohibiting truck traffic in place so that violations could be enforced. He was told not yet as the county is waiting to install the signs first, but they have a sample ordinance ready to adopt. The commission did want to take another tour of the plant now that the expansion is complete and Jones said that would not be a problem to just call and set up a time. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Friday, May 31st, deputies responded to the 4500 block of Dent County Road 2050 for the report of a burglary. During the investigation, it was determined that items were stolen from the residence. Suspect information was developed and the investigation is ongoing. The next day, June 1st, deputies responded to the 100 block of Dent County Road 5120 for the report of a wanted subject. During the course of the investigation, a 20-year-old Salem woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. Additional charges for the possession of a controlled substance will be applied for. On Friday, June 7th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 900 block of South Main Street. The driver, a 28-year-old Viburnum man, was arrested for driving on a suspended driving privilege. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. If you have any information regarding and investigation please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

To help Missourians prepare for summer weather, the state will observe “Summer Safety Day” this Wednesday. SEMA and the National Weather Service (NWS) encourage all persons to pay attention to local forecasts and plan accordingly when activities are outside. Humidity can amplify the feeling of heat measured by a heat index, so it is especially important to keep a close eye on friends and family and know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Remember, never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Even on a cooler day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in 10 minutes and pose a real threat to anyone left inside. Always “look before you lock” and check the back seat each time you exit your vehicle. Remember these safety measures to protect yourself and your family during the summer heat. If the weather forecast calls for heat and humidity, limit outdoor exposure. Also drink plenty of water and limit intake of alcoholic beverages. People should eat light, well-balanced meals at regular intervals and wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. If in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head; and use at least SPF 30 sunscreen. If possible, avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. If you do not have air conditioning, consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls or other community facilities. Find out before the heat arrives about nearby cooling centers. Check on family, friends and neighbors who may not have air conditioning or spend much of their time alone. Also, people need to be aware of medications that may impair the body’s response to heat, including antihistamines, tranquilizers and some medications for heart disease. Don’t forget you pets! If left outside, make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water and access to shade.

The University of Missouri Extension in Shannon County will be holding “Backyard Chickens 101” Thursday from 5:30 until 7:00. The course will be held at the Shannon County Extension Meeting Room in the Shannon County Extension in Eminence. This in-person course will teach you how much fun it is to raise chickens in your backyard! The topics include getting started, breeds, nutrition, housing, local regulations, the basics on marketing eggs, and more. There is no cost to attend. Those who want to attend need to register by calling the Shannon County Extension Office at 226-3268 or register at extension.missouri.edu/events. For more information, call Eric Meusch at 573-729-3196.