Local News – Thursday, March 28th, 2024

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the Salem Community Center @The Armory on Tuesday evening. The board heard public comments from five citizens regarding the proposed housing project by the Salem Housing Authority and three citizens regarding their support of the lease between the City and Healthy Dent County for the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The board approved the resignation of Interim Public Works Director Joe Chase. Assistant City Clerk Wanda Suhr gave the oath of office to new Public Works Director Steven Paine. The board heard from Lyndell Decker who requested and received approval to close parts of Fourth, Iron and Fifth Streets for a Back to School Bash on August 17th. The board heard a presentation from Salem Housing Authority Board member Sherman Odom regarding the proposed housing development on Tenth Street. Odom explained that the Housing Authority would like to seek grant funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank in the amount of $3 million to build 24 low-income housing units on 3.2 acres of the 4 acre parcel. A letter of commitment to donate the land only if the grant is awarded is needed from the City to include in the grant application. After his presentation, the neighbors in attendance had the opportunity to ask questions. No action was taken by the board. Brandi Richardson with the Dent County Extension presented their Annual Report and thanked the City for supporting their programs. The board approved the Salem Housing Authority’s recommendation to add Michael Rushing to their board, replacing Rose Kinerk’s expired term. Stacy Houston presented financial reports, including the total sales tax revenues, utility usage and revenues, and a fund balance summary. The board approved Bill No. 3607 allowing the city to receive additional Transportation Enhancement Funds for the TAP grant project. The City’s previous total match was $198,700, this agreement decreases the City’s match to $171,600. The City solicited a Request for Terms for a Tax-Exempt, bank-qualified fixed rate bond in the amount of $400,000 to help pay for the Phase 2a and 2b Sewer upgrades. The board approved moving forward with short-term financing from Town and Country Bank to purchase the City’s Revenue bonds. The board approved the bid from Donald Maggi Inc in the amount of $496,692.04 to complete the downtown TAP grant project. The board approved Bill No. 3605 amending the Codes of the City of Salem to allow for e-mail and electronic delivery of utility bills. The board approved Bill No. 3606, amendments to the current agreement with Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission. The board approved Bill No. 3601, allowing the property at 306 E. Second Street to be available for sale. The board approved Bill No. 3602 a lease agreement with Council for a Healthy Dent County for the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The board then went into closed session.

The Doe Run Company’s Maroon mine rescue team was awarded two first place awards and two third-place awards at the 2024 Tennessee Southeast Regional mine rescue contest in Sevierville, TN. The team competed against 26 coal and metal/non-metal mine rescue teams to earn first place in Team Tech and Team Trainer competitions. The Maroon team also took home 3rd place in the two-day mine rescue field problem competition and were awarded third place overall in the grand champion category which includes results for field, tech and first aid, combined. The competition consisted of two days of separate Mine Rescue Field problems including: simulating underground emergency situations, a first aid competition with a CPR and first-responder scenario, a breathing apparatus Benchman contest, and a team technician competition to test technical troubleshooting of mine rescue equipment and calculate ventilation readings. Each event also included a written test to assess the team’s knowledge. The U.S.Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) judged the event. Doe Run’s mine rescue teams train on a voluntary basis and compete in mine rescue competitions annually. The Doe Run Maroon Team is comprised of Luke Davis (Benchman) and Brandon “Buck” Roderman (first-aid), Andrew Hampton (Team Captain and Team Tech), Michael Snyder (first-aid), Jarred Tackett (first-aid), Richie Brewer, Ethan Kerr, Jake Piatt (Team Tech), and Steve Setzer (Team Trainer). The teams consistently place near or at the top at regional and national mine rescue competitions. Doe Run’s focus on safety is evident beyond mine rescue. Several sites have gone years without a lost-time accident, including Sweetwater Mill reaching 26 consecutive years with no lost-time accidents; Brushy Creek Mill with 17 years; and Buick Mill with 12 years. In addition, the Sweetwater Mine surface team has reached 19 years with no lost-time accidents.

The Salem FFA Chapter was named the Gahr Truck and Equipment New Holland Blue Ribbon FFA Chapter during National FFA Week. The chapter competed with 10 area schools. Points were accumulated by Salem winning the essay contest, posting over 50 supervised agriculture experience pictures, and taking over 60 FFA members to tour Gahr Truck and Equipment in St. James. Gahr Truck and Equipment presented the Salem FFA with a $1000 check, as well as a Gahr Truck and Equipment 2024 New Holland Blue Ribbon FFA Chapter plaque and a large framed poster of the history of New Holland. Congratulations Salem FFA Chapter!!!