Local News – Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Monday at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board heard from Noah Wills who has purchased eight homes in Salem in the last year to renovate and he is being charged a utility deposit of $200 at each location. He says that he understands that he has to wait a year to get the deposit back. He is asking that the board consider establishing a possible a one-time non-refundable deposit of $350 that would cover any or all properties that he would purchase. Alderman Kevin James, President of the Board who served as Mayor in the absence of Mayor Brad Nash, said this would have to be taken in front of a committee before the aldermen would hear their recommendation. Jim and Mary Williams discussed with the board their water bill at their rental property at 309 West 4th Street that for the months of October through December showed usage of 177,856 gallons. The city had replaced a leaking seat on a meter and that possibly caused additional water problems as Williams showed with documentation from those who repaired the leaks. The board approved crediting the Williams’ utility account for 165,856 gallons of water. Jan Cunningham addressed the board about the property they own at 1805 South Main known as Tiny’s Automotive. The Cunninghams annexed the property into the city last March and had been told city utilities would be run to their business in the form of a two-inch water line and six-inch sewer line. This work was to be done last year. Cunningham said she has been told there is an issue with Archer-Elgin, the hospital expansion and the engineering of the project. Alderman James requested that the city hire different engineers and get this project done ASAP. The board approved a request to hold a parade from Country Mart to the Salem High School for graduating seniors. Public Works Director Mark Nash discussed with the board about getting a new compact tractor and UTV for the Park and Recreation Department. The aldermen asked Nash to take the request to the Park and Recreation Board for their input and any recommendation they may have for the aldermen. City Administrator Ray Walden told the board that the city is required to have an emergency response plan for their water system in place by the end of June. He said their utility provider, the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, has partnered with HDR who has put together a tool kit that will make the city compliant for a cost of $4,700. The city had asked Archer-Elgin for an estimated to put the plan together and it was closer to $14,000. The board elected to go with the tool kit. After the consent agenda was approved, Walden explained during the extreme cold days in the month of February, citizens helped greatly in reducing their energy use. Even with energy conservation methods, the City of Salem used about six times more electric than normal while many cities used hundreds times more electric to meet the needs. This led to a large shortage of natural gas and higher prices. The city will have options to pay MPUA for the electric charges in payments over 24 months, all at once or an initial large payment with the balance due over 24 months. This will be determined once they have received the final amount due from MPUA. The city will then have a meeting to discuss how they will pass those increased costs on to the public. Walden said the airport board will be meeting March 18th at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory, and the Salem Park and Recreation Board will be meeting on Monday, the 22nd at a time and place to be determined. The meeting was then adjourned.

As part of its efforts to commemorate the state’s bicentennial, the State Historical Society of Missouri has launched the Missouri Encyclopedia, a freely accessible, engaging, and authoritative resource for understanding Missouri’s past and people. Visitors to the Encyclopedia’s website can explore topics like the Louisiana Purchase and Missouri-Kansas Border War and learn how these events shaped the nation and Missouri’s place within it. Biographies on the site illustrate the lives of Missourians who became movie stars, famous athletes, military leaders, politicians, and more. SHSMO executive director Gary R. Kremer says they hope that the Missouri Encyclopedia becomes the starting point for researchers who seek to learn more about the history and culture of our diverse state and its people. While the Encyclopedia is launching in conjunction with the Missouri 2021 Bicentennial, the Society plans to grow and maintain the site beyond the state’s bicentennial year. The goal of the project is to build a comprehensive online history encyclopedia that includes all of the state’s regions and time periods, and that covers a wide range of topics concerning the people, places, events, and traditions significant to Missouri and its past. To help the resource grow, the Missouri Encyclopedia is actively seeking suggestions for local and regional topics. Topics suggested to the site’s editors will be evaluated for inclusion in the online publication. The Missouri Encyclopedia is online and FREE to worldwide audiences. Visit today at missouriencyclopedia.org.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting Thursday evening at 6:00 in the High School Library for their regular meeting. After the consent agenda the Board will hear communications. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will give her report on a variety of issues including a Health Insurance Update, Summer School, Legislative Update, and Budget Update. Her report will be followed by Administration Reports and Board Training discussion. In new business the board will set organizational meeting date and April regular meeting date, move softball season to spring in 2022-2023, approve RFP for performance contactor, let bids for audit, approve 2021-2022 calendar and let out bids for the gym floor. The Board will hear resignations before adjourning and moving into Executive Session for the discussion of personnel for 2021-2022 including Teacher Evaluations, Probationary Contracts and Coaching Contracts. In Executive Session, the Board will address hiring recommendations for High School Assistant Principal, Administrative Intern, High School Science and School Outreach Coordinator. Salary schedule placement for a support staff member will also be addressed. The regular board meeting in the High School Library is open to the public.