Local News – Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board met Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. After the roll call and minutes from the previous meeting were approved, Park Board President Carlos Lopez asked Salem Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois to give her report. She stated this years spring baseball, softball and T-Ball season will feature 472 players making up 40 teams divided up into T-ball teams for 3 and 4-year olds and 5 and 6-year olds, coaches pitch baseball and softball for those eight and under, baseball and softball for those 11 and under and baseball and softball for those 14 and under. Games will start the first week of June. Dubois is reminding parents and spectators that travel through the Salem City Park on ball nights is one-way only from Rolla Road through the park and out the back gate leading to Park Street. She said the Kids Summer Camp for children six and over will be July 10th through the 21st. The cost is $200 and it is limited to the first 25 participants. Dubois said the pool will open May 27th and will be open Monday through Saturday from noon until 6:00 and Sunday from 1:00 until 6:00. The admission cost is $6.00 for adults, while children aged 3 to 13 and seniors can get in for $5.00. Pool passes and parties are available as well as water aerobics and swimming lessons. Call the pool at 729-6228 or 729-6031 for more information. The pool house floors have all been epoxied for the pool season. Dubois said there is an electrical problem with Splash Pad automatic water shutoff on the bollard and an electrician has been called. Dubois reported the lights and poles at the Al Brown Field have been installed but electric has not yet been done. Work also needs to be done to the Al Brown bleachers to replace some rotted boards. The city construction crew will be addressing that issue. The Park Board heard from City Treasurer Stacey Houston on the proposed budget for the 2023-24 year. Most of the revenues for the Park and Recreation Fund come from the sales tax revenue while other receipts come from charges for programs, pool, pavilion rental, etc. and Houston said she wanted to be conservative and budgeted a total of just over $662,000. On the expense side, Houston said she expected that to come in around $674,000 that would include the purchase of a new ¾ ton work truck for the park if it is approved by the alderman at the capital improvements committee. This would leave a deficit balance for the 2023-2024 budget of $12,148 and with the final reimbursement payment for the proposed soccer field of $25,000, the budgeted deficit balance would be $37,148. There was also a discussion on the amount of dollars budgeted for salaries and wages for the current year as the actual cost in 2021-22 was $253,263, but the budget for the current year showed an increase to $361,243, an increase of almost $108,000. Although that amount will not be reached this year, it was unknown why that number was so high except for the fact that the park board did not meet last year to approve the budget due to the resignation of some members preventing them from having a quorum at budget time. Houston said the city also would like to institute creating a reserve fund for the Park and Recreation Fund similar to what they have for the utility funds. With a budgeted beginning balance of over $433,000, Houston budgeted putting back 25% of the balance into a reserve fund of $127,000 and then there will be a minimum of 5% put into reserves annually and that figure came to $25,412. These dollars would then be available for special projects or when equipment needs to be replaced. The board approved the budget as presented. The board also discussed some much needed repairs to the tennis courts and decided they would try to find some grants for municipalities and possibly work with Mr. Hubbs from the high school to see if grants funds would be available to a school tennis facility. The meeting was then adjourned.

Got plans Memorial Day weekend? Missouri has a lot to offer with its state parks, lakes, sporting events, and attractions. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds everyone to include safety when they plan their holiday weekend. Expect more travelers on Missouri’s roadways and drivers are reminded to follow all Missouri’s laws and be courteous. Always wear a seat belt when traveling in a vehicle. This year’s Memorial Day holiday counting period begins at 6:00 this Friday evening and ends at 11:59, Monday night, May 29th. Every available trooper will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists. Troopers will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers. The Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) during Memorial Day weekend. Over the 2022 Memorial Day holiday weekend, 13 people died and 507 were injured in 1,043 traffic crashes. Motorists in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. For road condition reports, travelers can visit the Patrol’s website at www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov. Click on the Road Condition icon to view road construction areas as well as road conditions throughout the state or call 1-888-275-6636.

The Mudbugs are returning! This Thursday, the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will host the Mudbugs where children can explore numerous wonders hidden in plain site at the Bonebrake Center. Thursday’s program will be called “Bug Busters” as the children can meet some cool critters up close and personal. No one has to touch the bugs unless they want to. The suggested contribution for each program is $2.00 but additional donations are always welcome. All monies collected go to the Bonebrake Center. Each program is geared toward children from six to 12-years of age, but all aged children are welcome. They ask that parents please accompany their children. For more information, contact Janet Price at moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com.