Local News – Wednesday, November 24th, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving from the staff of KSMO Media and Your World Today! Because of the holiday, there will not be a Thursday of Friday edition of Your World Today this week. Our next publication will be Monday morning. Have a great holiday weekend!

Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone there may be an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. If so, drivers should remain alert to changes along their normal route. Regardless of traffic patterns, safety should remain a priority. The counting period for the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday weekend will be from 6:00 this Wednesday, through 11:59 Sunday night, November 28th. Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., enforcing all traffic laws, and will be available to assist the public. Drivers should make sure their vehicles are in good condition and that they are well rested before they start driving. Remember: There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if you witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved Resolution #34-2021 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Energy Solutions Professionals for the HVAC/Maintenance project at city owned buildings. Alderman James notes that this project was the best opportunity for guaranteed energy savings while completing some much needed repairs and upgrades to the city admin building, the old city hall, the police station, the Community Center@The Armory, the Park and Rec Building at 3rd Street and North Grand, and the Water and Electric Building on Wines Street. The board approved Resolution #35-2021 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and the Department of Social Services for the low-income household water assistance program. Alderman Bolerjack explained that this program can assist families with up to $750 for sewer and water disconnection, arrearages, and reconnection fees. Mayor Steelman noted that this program has the potential to help a lot of citizens. Additional information will be sent out in future utility bill mailings. The board approved Bill No 3495, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign task order number 12 between the city and C.M. Archer Group for engineering design services for Water Well #9 and an elevated water storage tank. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that he will attend a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting at MRPC next week to discuss the county’s transportation needs. The city offices will be closed this week on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mayor Steelman, as well as every alderman took the time to publicly thank all city employees for their dedication to the city and their hard work as evident with projects being completed and citizens taking the time to compliment many employees on their work. City of Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge reported that progress is being made on the Certified Site at the Industrial Park and a general housing meeting will be held on December 1st at 3:30 pm at the Housing Authority offices. A housing study will be published in next week’s local newspaper. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the water and sewer department has been flushing hydrants, fixing water leaks and have replaced a couple of water lines. Nash reported an estimate to replace the bridge on 2nd Street came in between $125,000 and $175,000. The board directed Nash to get prices on replacing the bridge with a precast concrete culvert box instead. They also asked for a better way to block off the bridge to motorists. Alderman Kayla Sisco announced that she would be seeking the East Ward Aldermanic seat in April. The board approved the budgeted lease of a Caterpillar Skidsteer from Fabick Tractor Co. for 60 monthly payments of $1,230.11. The board approved closing 4th Street on Saturday morning, December 4th from 8:30 to 10:00 for Healthy Dent County’s Santa Dash. Chief Joe Chase said the Police Department has been approved to receive a $5,721.50 grant to purchase Officer Safety and Equipment Technology. The board then went into closed session.