Local News – Wednesday, April 10th, 2024

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the Salem Community Center @The Armory on Tuesday evening. After approval of the consent agenda, the board certified the election results from the April 2nd Municipal Election and approved Resolution 9-2024 approving those results. The oath of office was then given to Mayor Greg Parker, East Ward Alderwoman Kala Sisco, and West Ward Alderwoman Catherine Dent by Assistant City Clerk Wanda Suhr. The board then approved East Ward Alderman Shawn Bolerjack as President of the Board of Aldermen. Mayor Parker made committee appointments before four citizens gave public comments. The board approved a bid from J.C.I. for $11,812.00 for a 25 HP motor for the aeration in the North Digester. The board approved rejecting bids for a “Welcome Home” project where bids were received more than the funds available. The board also approved the rejection of the previously approved bid from Donald Maggi Inc. for the Downtown Renovation Project after it was determined that the Request for Bid was not properly advertised. This project is currently being re-bid with bid openings scheduled for May 2nd. The board approved Bill #3604 an ordinance amending the amounts of utility deposits for the City of Salem to total $300 and lowered to $200 with a letter of good standing. Also approved was Bill #3605, an ordinance to amend the provisions for the delivery of utility bills and statements for the City of Salem, as well as Bill #3606, which would allow the mayor to enter into a power supply and administration agreement among the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission DBA Missouri Electric Commission. The board approved Bill #3608 authorizing the issuance of a sewerage system revenue bond, series 2024, from Town and Country Bank for $400,000. After the reports of city officials, the board went into closed session to discuss contracts and pending litigation.

Time is running out if you need to order your trees and shrubs for your landscape. The Missouri Department of Conservation says to “Go native” with tree and shrub seedlings from the Missouri from the George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking. Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The George O. White State Forest Nursery offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for sale for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, river birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, buttonbush, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, spicebush, elderberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel, and others. Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 34 cents to $1 per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1 percent will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is an $9 handling charge for each order. Receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number. The nursery grows millions of seedlings each year, but some species are very popular and sell out quickly and some seedlings occasionally succumb to harsh weather or hungry wildlife, despite the nursery staff’s best efforts. Even if a species is listed as “sold out,” customers can still place an order for those seedlings because other orders may get canceled, freeing up inventory. Customers won’t be charged for seedlings unless they are available to ship. Due to shipping costs tripling from past years, the nursery must now charge shipping fees for orders being shipped to Missouri addresses. This is the first time in the nursery’s 80-plus-year history that they have had to do this. Orders will be processed through April 15th so order now! Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery near Licking through May. You can learn more and place orders using at MDC regional offices and nature centers, or by calling the State Forest Nursery at 573-674-3229.

There will be a Toothbrush Rug Beginner Class Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 with Amy Terrill. Join them for a fun rug-making, hands-on workshop. Learn an easy technique to make a rug with torn strips of fabric and a modified toothbrush. These rugs are quick to make and require no sewing. In this class, you’ll learn how to begin a toothbrush rug or table runner. You will leave class with a small rug that you can either use as a trivet or continue to build at home as large as you want it to be! All projects are machine washable, dry-able and last for years! No previous experience or skills necessary. The cost of of the class is $20 which includes all the supplies. The course is for those age 18 and above. A minimum of two people need to sign up and they will max out at 10. Register online at the SACBA website. Under programs, find the Creative Arts Center, and registrations are on a first come, first served basis.