Local News – Wednesday, June 12th, 2024

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the city hall auditorium Tuesday night. During public comments, a citizen addressed a question to alderwoman Catherine Dent as the chair of the utilities committee regarding opting out of the leak protection program. A form was developed by the Concerned Citizens for Salem to have a written form on record for those who opt out of the program. They wanted to know why the form was not accepted by the front desk at the city administration building. Alderwoman Dent deferred to the City Administrator and no answer could be given. The board approved allowing Electric Department Supervisor Josh Kotschedoff to stock up on spools of underground primary wire not to exceed $15,000. The board approved the bid from Salem Heating and Cooling to replace the HVAC System at the City Animal Pound for $7,850. A budget adjustment of $2,850 was approved as only $5,000 had been budgeted. The board approved the bid from Westport Pools for $138,986 to replace the PVC liner in the Salem Municipal Swimming Pool that was damaged by hail. Sally Burbridge made note that insurance adjusters were in town last week to assess all the damage done city wide by the hail. No details from the report are available yet, but it is very likely the $50,000 deductible will be spread across several budgets instead of just the Park and Recreation Department. The bids for the TAP Downtown Project were tabled. The board then approved Resolution #13-2024, stating the intent to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program and authorizing the mayor to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding to reduce the debt obligation for the Wastewater Treatment Facility; Resolution #14-2024, that authorized the mayor to sign an acknowledgment of renewal for health insurance from United Healthcare where the city will pay up to $550 per month for employees of the City of Salem, and Resolution No. 15-2024, a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and Westport Pools for labor and materials to remove and replace the PVC membrane for the city swimming pool. Once the work begins, it is estimated that it will take four weeks for Westport to complete the project. The “holiday trade” for city employees to trade the paid day off of Columbus Day for Friday, July 5th, was approved by the board. The Leak Protection Program Policy was on the agenda to be approved. After board discussion and the hearing of public comments, a motion was made to table the policy until the next meeting so the board could further review the contract. The board approved the purchase of 154 Water Meter Modules from Nexgrid for $20,754. During City Official Reports. several pain-points with Nexgrid were addressed including a broken website and failed communication efforts. A previous city employee offered to provide contact information from other vendors who have indicated the $20K the city is about to spend with Nexgrid would be better spent with a different vendor. The Alderman wondered if it is time to possibly consider legal action against Nexgrid. The board then went into closed session.

The 17th Annual Upper Current River Cleanup will be held this Saturday, June 15th. The locations for cleanup will be Montauk State Park to Baptist Access, Baptist Access to Cedargrove which is eight miles, Cedargrove to Akers which is eight miles, Akers to Pulltite which is 10 miles, and Pulltite to Round Spring which is ten miles. People can also cleanup a put-in/take out area. Registration will be from 8:00 until 10:00 in the morning at Montauk Lodge, Cedargrove, the Akers Lower Landing, or the Pulltte River Access point. This is where you will pick up your mesh trash bags and T-Shirt. For more information about the river cleanup, e-mail contact Jack or Mary Ficker of Stream Team 1028 at jack_maryficker@hotmail.com or call them at 573-729-7065. You can also call the Montauk Park Naturalist office at 573-548-2225 for information on the stream cleanup at Montauk.

The Salem Utility Committee meeting will be held tonight at 6:15 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. At the meeting, the committee will discuss the Serviline Protection Program and hear work reports performed by city employees. A draft budget will be presented and there will be a rate discussion nefore the meeting is adjourn. The meeting was called by Utility Chairman Alderwoman Catherine Dent.

Lt. Levi Hamilton, a native of Rolla, Missouri, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Training Squadron 21 where naval aviators learn the skills they need to fly missions around the world. Hamilton, a 2005 graduate of Rolla High School, joined the Navy 10 years ago. Hamilton also earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Missouri in 2010. Today, Hamilton serves as an instructor pilot assigned to VT 21, a U.S. Navy strike jet training squadron located at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.

This Friday from 2:00 until 4:00 at the Creative Arts Center, participants can learn to Tie Dye with Laura Miller. Students will learn to fold and tie a shirt, apply dye for desired pattern then take home to rinse the next day. Students will choose a pattern to tie, choose a color palette of dye, and have a hands-on experience of creating their own unique wearable art piece. The glass is available to students age 10 to 18 years old and they must be with a parent/legal guardian. Register online at SACBA website and when checking out, please choose a shirt size. The cost is $25 per person and includes all materials and instruction. There must be at least three students to hold the class and it will be limited to no more than 12.

On Thursday, June 13th at Echo Bluff State Park as part of the Women Outdoors program, women can attend “Dutch Oven Cooking: Not Just for Chili”. This class will teach women how to use and maintain a Dutch oven, and then eat some food prepared in a Dutch oven! Meet at the Bluff Top Pavilion at Echo Bluff State Park. The class is free and open to all women 16 and older, but registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.