Local News – Tuesday, May 15th, 2018
The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5600, 6040, 6210 and 6460, while brush would be cut on county road 6320. Purcell stated he would have a man screening brown rock at the shed. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2110, 4283, 4285 and 4287. He also said materials would be added and grading done on county road 3080 while brush would be cut on Dent County Road 4280. Larson did say he was sending a man to Springfield to get oil for the Dura-Patcher. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting today, and he would be attending the County Commissioners Association of Missouri Board meeting in Jefferson City on Wednesday. Skiles stated the final Hazard Mitigation meeting will be held May 21st at 2:00 at the Salem City Hall Council Chambers. The commissioners then approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Dent and the City of Salem in regards to the transfer of ownership of the designated areas of Iron and Water Street from the city to the county for the jail project. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported on her meeting Thursday and Friday at the 2018 Urban Board Conference. This conference works to make Missouri elections better. At 10:00, the county held a budget hearing for the creation of a CDBG grant fund to account for the grant that was awarded to the Dent County Fire Protection District. The budget hearing provided a new budget for the county for the CDBG grant that has anticipated revenues of $350,000 and expected appropriations of $350,000. The board approved the adjustment to the county budget. The board also approved the bid from the Bank of Salem for the lease/purchase of two new John Deere graders for $169,155.24 for 2.95% and no additional preparation fees. The bid was for a one-year lease with the option for four additional one-year leases at the same interest rate. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and it is open to the public.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 at the district administrative board room. On the proposed agenda, the agenda will be approved. After the consent agenda, the principals from William Lynch, the upper elementary, middle school and the senior high will give reports. In new business, the board will need to select a treasurer before considering renewing their association with Healthy Dent County renewal. The board is expected to approve the Professional Development Plan for 2018-2019 school year, approve meal prices for the 2018-2019 school year, approve a preliminary 2018-2019 budget and consider bus purchases. The board will approve the surplus property list, discuss bank bids, consider a salary schedule, increase and approve the purchase of Chromebooks. The board will then hear any resignations before going into executive session to discuss personnel. The regular meeting of the Salem R-80 School Board of Education is open to the public.
Route A in Dent and Shannon Counties will be reduced to one lane while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. This section of road is located from the Bunker City limits in Dent County to Highway 19 in Shannon County. Weather permitting, this work will take place tomorrow and Thursday from 7:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon each day. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
Preschool enrollment at the William Lynch Elementary School will be held Wednesday, May 16th and Thursday, May 17th. Parents interested in the “Tiger Tots” program should call the office to schedule an appointment at 729-6611. Children who will be three by August 1st of this year are potential candidates for Tiger Tots.
The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Friday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. At the meeting, Park and
Recreation Director Tye Lydon announced the pool and splash pad would be opening on Saturday, May 26th for the Memorial Day weekend. Lydon said he has purchased three laptop computers that are now loaded with a point of sale system to track the inventory for the pool and baseball concessions. He said he will hold opening ceremonies at the Salem City Park for the Baseball, Softball and T-Ball program on May 24th where the players will be announced, get their picture taken and then enjoy free hot dog or hamburger. He said a total of 404 children signed up for Baseball, Softball and T-Ball program. That season will begin on Tuesday, May 29th. The board was asked to discuss the possibility of a group discount for the use of the pool. After a long discussion, the board elected not to offer any discounts this year for groups due to many unknown factors including electric and water costs, increase in labor with more lifeguards needed, and trying not to exceed the pool capacity. Following information from this year, the board will revisit the topic for the 2019 season. The board then toured the new splash pad, the pool and pool house before the meeting was adjourned.