Local News – Wednesday, April 17th, 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen regular meeting was held Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board immediately went into closed session to discuss real estate. After the conclusion of closed session the regular meeting was then continued. At the meeting, the board heard from Deloris Gray Wood as a representative from the Salem Middle School Committee to give the committees recommendation regarding the building. Wood explained that this committee, made up of local citizens, has been researching possible uses for the building for nearly 18 months. With the Board of Aldermen approval, they hired a consultant and engineering firm that provided a nearly $4 million cost estimates to restore the building. A recent Request for Proposals was advertised to allow for local input and proposals. None were received to restore the building, but five were received to demolish the structures on the property. The committee recommendation was to accept the lowest bid from Donald Maggi for demolition and the board approved their recommendation. The board approved Resolution No. 9-2019 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Second Sight Systems for water meter replacement at a cost of $100,176.76 as part of the Automated Metering Project. The board then approved Bill No. 3411 which is an ordinance amending the annual budget to amend the appropriations of estimated revenue and expenditures in the Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund. The board also approved an additional cost of $7,500 to Central Coating to replace an expansion joint and clean out and plug while they are painting the water tower on Wines Street. The board approved Bill No. 3412 which is an Ordinance to amend and address nuisance abatements and administration fees. The ordinance defines junk or abandoned vehicles on property as well as junk and debris in yards. An administration fee of not less than $100 and a minimum charge of $75 for the abatement of nuisance will be charged. The board tabled the request from Black’s A-1 Septic LLC to dump port-a-pottie waste in the Waste Water Treatment facility. Further information is needed from the engineer. The board approved Resolution No. 10-2019 canvassing the election results of the April 2nd municipal election. City Clerk Mary Happel then administered the oath of office to new West Ward Alderman Kevin James and East Ward Alderwoman Rachel Hinderliter. Happel then gave appreciation plaques to Dr. Haydn Powell and Chad Heithold for their service to the city. City Administrator Ray Walden gave his report and thanked the Old Middle School Committee members; Deloris Gray Wood, Sherman Odom, Jay Anderson, Bob Parsons, Todd Kinerk and Kristi Crocker. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory had a total of 4,864 participants during the month of March. The Economic Development Planning Session previously scheduled for April 25th has been moved to May 2nd at 5:30 pm. The Community Wide Yard Sale will be held on May 4th with spring clean up scheduled for the following two weeks. For questions regarding the clean up residents can call Waste Management at 417-741-7714. City Attorney Camm Seay updated the board on Nuisance Enforcement and recommended Mark Nash serve as a Nuisance Hearing Officer. Nash would conduct weekly scheduled nuisance hearings to allow citizens to protest any nuisance violation matters. The board directed Seay to create an ordinance to create this position and process. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports for April 3rd through the 5th. On Wednesday, April 3rd, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 4110 near Highway 19 north. During the course of the traffic stop, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where the he later posted bond and was released. Then on Thursday, April 4th, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Dent County Road 3260, but the vehicle failed to yield and continued to travel on county road 3260 until turning right onto Dent County Road 3275. The vehicle stopped in the 400 block of Dent County Road 3275 where the driver, a 37-year old Salem male, fled from the vehicle while the passenger, a 29-year old Salem female, stayed inside the vehicle. The female told deputies that the male that fled had active warrants through probation and parole. Deputies conducted an immediate search of the area but did not locate the male. On Friday, April 5th, the male was located and arrested for the active warrant and resisting arrest for a felony. The male was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Also on Friday, April 5th, deputies received a report of a neighbor shooting towards their granddaughter and her dogs near the 2000 block of Dent County Road 6320. Deputies traveled to the scene and during the course of the investigation a 40-year-old Salem male was arrested for the unlawful use of a weapon, subsection 5, discharge of a firearm while intoxicated. The male was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.