Local News – Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Debbie Murphy addressed the board about questions she had asked before concerning town hall meetings, open agendas, redistricting to allow for six aldermen instead of four, the DCAWS contract, the animal shelter at the industrial park and recycling as well as alderman only using a tablet or laptop while in session and not use their phone. She also asked the aldermen to reconsider the purchase of the vac truck as it was dangerous, plus a city the size of Salem didn’t need it and, in her opinion, is a waste of taxpayer money. When finished, Murphy expected responses from the mayor or aldermen, but she was told the board is only required to hear what she had to say. She was dissatisfied with that answer and after a direct discussion with Mayor Parker, the mayor asked Police Chief Joe Chase to remove her from the meeting which he did. The board approved Resolution #24-2023 that sets the Municipal Election for April 2nd, 2024 for mayor as well as one east and west ward alderman. The board approved Resolution #25-2023 allowing the mayor to execute a change order between Welch Construction, the city and Daniel Evans for property in the “Welcome Home” program at 503 West Rolla Road. The board approved the auctioning of former Salem Police cars, a 2018 Dodge Charger and 2017 Ford Explorer, on Purple Wave. Chief Chase said the police equipment had been removed from the cars and he expects them to bring a 40% return as they are in good shape. The board also approved the purchase of a 2023 Dodge Durango for the police department as part of the vehicle rotation plan at the state bid of $36,806.00 from Behlmann Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in Troy, Missouri. Public Works Director Mark Nash spoke with the board about a new vac truck for the city from Key Equipment that would be used for water leaks, excavation, cleaning out man holes, pumping out lift stations, removing blockages from the waste water treatment plant and other instances that would save a tremendous amount of man hours. After department heads spoke on the truck, Nash said the Key Equipment would send personnel to train Salem workers for no additional charge. Nash also said the truck would have dual fans that would help expel any water from the truck when not in use. Nash said the city could get the vehicle within 30 days. The board approved the purchase of the truck for $195,487.50 with $47,500 coming from the Capital Improvement Fund, the sewer department, water department and the electric department with the remaining balance coming from the previous years balance. The board approved the purchase of a new Kyocera copier from SumnerOne for $9,087.87 that includes a five-year maintenance agreement. The board approved the purchase of a NOVA recloser for the city substation for $26,347.16 from Sho-Me Power after a squirrel Saturday got in the system shutting down the electric. Show-Me will make the repairs today. The board tabled their decision on the “conditional use” permit at 1509 South Louise Street until Alderwoman Kala Sisco, who was not at the meeting, could give her opinion at the next meeting. The board heard the first reading of Bill #3578 to officially name the streets in the Masters Industrial Park, and heard the second reading of Bill #3575 authorizing the mayor to sign the Administrative Procedures Guide for floodplain management and flood hazard reduction. The board approved that bill. City Administrator Sally Burbridge said the city administrative offices would be closed Thanksgiving and Friday, November 24th. She also asked the aldermen to think about what they want to do with the 2nd Street Bridge which is currently closed due damage from a truck. It is a MoDOT bridge and it could possibly qualify for funding to be replaced or repaired, or the city may only want to use it a pedestrian bridge. She is looking for direction in the next couple of months. Mayor Parker announced he will be running again for mayor in April, and Public Works Director Mark Nash said he would be retiring on January 31st, 2024. He said the street department is working with asphalt on patching potholes, a concrete pad has been poured for the electric transformer at the Construction Trades Building and McDonalds continues to push to ope quickly. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois said there are 166 children signed up for basketball this year, the restrooms in the city park have now been winterized and she is taking registrations for the “Light Up the Park” this year for $50 for businesses, churches, groups, etc. The board then went into closed session.

The University of Missouri Extension congratulates Teel and Richelle Wisdom and family of Salem as the Dent County Missouri Farm Family by University of Missouri Extension in Dent County and the local Farm Bureau. They were among the families honored during the 66th annual Missouri Farm Family Day in August at the Missouri State Fair. Teel Wisdom was the 4th generation raised on his family’s cattle farm in Boss, where he and his dad also raised and showed world champion quarter horses. Now, Teel and Richelle’s 5-year-old son, Reed, also helps on the family farm which is now a 49-acre meat goat operation. Each year, the fair sets aside a day to recognize farm families from across the state that are active in their communities, involved in agriculture, and/or participate in local outreach and extension programs such as 4-H or FFA. Thee annual event is sponsored by five partner agencies: the Missouri Farm Bureau; the Missouri Department of Agriculture; the Missouri State Fair Commissioners; the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; and MU Extension.