Local News – Thursday, July 11th, 2024

The Board of Aldermen met at the City Hall Auditorium Tuesday at 6:00 in the evening. Salem Police Chief Joe Chase updated the board in regards to the bidding on two Dodge Durango police cruisers, this is apart of an ongoing vehicle replacement plan. The purchase price of these two vehicles is $83,936, and a $13,908.40 police equipment package required for the department’s use. The funds will come out of the Capital Improvement budget set aside specifically for purchasing and outfitting patrol cars. A motion was made and approved unanimously by the Aldermen. Bill 3612, has to do with the repeal of a redundant and duplicate ordinance. Repealing Section 710.350 keeps all utility rates in the same Chapter 700 instead of scattered through different sections of City Code thus making it easier for anyone trying to identify the correct rates. This repeal was approved 3-0. Bill 3613, 3614, and 3615 were each derived from recommendations made by the Utility Committee during their meeting on June 12th to maintain the current kwh rate for all in-city electric utility customers and the elimination of the Service Availability fee for residential and commercial accounts. The Utility Committee also recommended transferring from Prior Year Fund Balances to complete the 25% Reserve Fund Goal and eliminating the Service Availability Fee which was used this past year to rebuild the Reserve Fund. These bills were passed 3-0. Reports were then heard from Mayor Greg Parker at which time he passed on his gratitude to Fleetwood Pyrotechnics LLC for their hard work putting on a successful 4th of July fireworks display, he also thanked KSMO Media for live streaming the parade earlier that day. Parks and Rec. Director Melisa DuBois reported that repairs to the city pool were likely to start as soon as this week. She also reminded all those in attendance that they’re working with Intercounty Electric Cooperative for the Movie Night at the Park, July 20th at dark. They will be showing the movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2, this event is free to the public. Alderman John Whelan complimented the work done by the Parks and Rec department regarding various summer programs, stating he’s heard a lot of positive feedback from the community. At 6:14 the meeting was adjourned.

The Board of Adjustments held a meeting in the City Hall Auditorium at 5:30 in the evening Tuesday. In new business there were two requests for variances of city ordinances. The first was a request reduces the required parking spaces to 1 parking space for each 207 square feet of gross floor area for a retail business that is being proposed at Lot 3 (3B) of the Scenic Rivers Plaza subdivision, owned by Ridge Properties I, LLC. The second request was for a variance to allow placement of a structure inside the rear setback of the property located at 200 Walnut Hill Dr., owned by Michael Letchworth II. Both requests were approved and the meeting was adjourned.

The Dent County Fire Protection Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station. The financial report showed an ending balance of $176,124.92 as of June 30th. Bills, payments, and statements were reviewed by the board along with the budget for the year. It was noted to the board the tax levy will have to be set at the August board meeting as it must be submitted to the state by September 1st. The monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 12 calls for the month of June bringing the total year to date to 155. The department responded to two vehicle fires during the month, two medical assist calls, three gas leaks, one outside rubbish fire call, one special type of incident call, one grass fire, one fire call that was classified as other, and they had one call that was a false alarm. In old business, the board received three bids for the repair, sealing, and restriping of the parking lot. The board accepted the lowest bid from Pierce Asphalt for $9,450.00 provided money was available later in the year. Chief Dennis Floyd asked the board to declare some equipment as surplus which included a 1990 Dodge Ram 350, a John Deere Gator that had 219.5 hours on it with a diesel engine, and a NorthStar 55 gallon skid unit with a Honda engine. After discussion, the board agreed to declare all three items as surplus and to list the items on Purple Wave to be sold. In new business, the board discussed some sort of legal representation for the department moving forward. They also discussed insurance policies and what options may be available such as increasing deductibles to save money. The board also discussed the AFG Grant as Chief Floyd asked where the district was on getting help with the grant and how much they should ask for as there is a 10% match. Chief Floyd will get more information for the board. The board reviewed and approved an early reimbursement request from Nathan Kinsey of $600. In his report, Chief Floyd reported the four firefighters that attended training in June will be implementing the new ideas at local trainings. The next meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board will be at 6:00 Tuesday, August 13th at the fire station and it will be open to the public.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce announced the winners for the 2024 Independence Day Parade. Taking 1st Place in the Commercial Category was Town & Country Bank in Salem, while taking 1st Place in the Non-Commercial Category was the Salem Full Gospel Church. Both winners received the $100 prize for taking 1st place. The winner of the Best Horsemanship during the parade went to Jill and Jodie Dean. They received a $50 prize for their achievement. Congratulations to all those who had entries in the parade which was well attended considering the heat.