Local News – Wednesday, August 7th, 2019

The City of Salem Board of Alderman held their meeting Monday night. After approval of the agenda and roll call during the Hearing of Persons, the First Baptist Church was requesting to have a Fireworks Show on Saturday, October 5th at 7:30 for A Fall Fest Spectacular as well as requesting street closures from 7:15 to 8:15 for the event, was postponed until the next meeting. According to City Attorney William Camm Seay, the current City of Salem ordinance regarding fireworks displays does not allow for any other firework displays such as this request. A motion was made to amend the current firework ordinance to include exceptions and will be presented at the next meeting as well. Also during the hearing of persons, Arlene Martin wanted to discuss with the Board what can be done about water standing in her yard and the issue was reported resolved earlier in the day. In bids, the Board approved the State Bid from Landmark Dodge of $25,180 for a 2019 Dodge Charger for the City of Salem Police Department. The city requested bids for the Tap Grant Project, which is the sidewalk project from the High School to inside the Park. MoDOT will be sent the papers to prepare the contract for which the city will take half of their 20% match from the Capital Improvement Fund and the other half from the Parks and Recreation Fund. City Administrator Ray Walden stated the 3,468 participants were reported during July at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Walden also reported that due to the performance of the electric purchasing pool, the July utility bills reflected a decrease in electric rates of 8.7% applied under the city’s ordinance for automatic rate adjustments based on changes in the wholesale cost of electricity and additional savings are expected with the AMI meter project that’s in the process. They are currently installing the backhaul network for the system and expect to start replacing electric meters in September and water meters in October. Walden went on to say the support for the seat campaign for the theater was greatly appreciated and that they need donations for yet another 50 seats. Donations forms for the seats are available from the City’s Facebook page and at the utility counter at the Administrative building. The Board then voted to set Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:00 pm as the first Nuisance Workshop to be held before the Alderman meeting. The Board then voted to approve Bill #3425 an ordinance levying for the year 2019 a tax of .6522 cents upon each and every one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real estate and personal property which is down from .6533 cents for 2018 and approved Bill #3426 an ordinance to execute a State Block Grant agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and sign all documents related to the design and construction of taxi lanes for T-hangars-Phase 1 on Project 19-066A-1 in the amount of $88,110. The Board then gave approval for the Salem Police Department to seek an LLEBG-Local Law Enforcement Block Grant in the amount of $9,999.00 in order to purchase 3 new P25 radios. The Board delayed approving any trailer court licenses as this time. The Board then voted to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing contracts and personnel.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports for the end of July. In the early morning of the 29th at about 12:03, an officer was dispatched to the area of North Jackson and Acuff in reference to a disturbance. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of an intoxicated 38-year-old male of Salem for failing to obey a lawful order of a police officer.  The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 31st close to 4:00, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of South Louise in reference to trespassing. The investigation revealed that two females of Salem, a 20-year-old and a 24-year-old, entered onto property that gave notice of no trespassing. The 20-year-old suspect was later located, issued a summons to appear in court and released. The 24-year-old suspect has not yet been located. The report is still under investigation. Minutes later at about 4:10, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of West Ellis in reference to a burglary not in progress. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown had forcibly entered the residence and took items valued at about $800.00. The report is under investigation. At about 10:13 that same night, an officer was dispatched to a traffic accident at Henderson and Rolla Road. The investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 23-year-old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated and for careless and imprudent driving. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.