Local News – Wednesday, November 6th, 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board accepted the letter of resignation from City Attorney William Camm Seay. Mayor Nash reported that in closed session on October 22nd, the board approved the appointment of James K. Weber as the new City Attorney with Kim Steelman making the motion and seconded by Kevin James. City Clerk Mary Happel read Bill #3435 that authorized the mayor to sign a retainer agreement between the City of Salem and James K. Weber for legal services and to become City Attorney. The bill was approved by the board. Weber was then sworn in by City Clerk Mary Happel. In the hearing of persons, Keith Plank explained to the board that he wanted to build a metal building that is 60′ by 34′ at 1000 South Pershing. He said this process has been going on over 12 weeks where he was denied a permit by Jared Brown while putting up the same type of building that was approved by Lloyd Sanderson on Babb Lane about a year ago. Mayor Nash asked Jared Brown to e-mail the new attorney as well as all the aldermen and Mr. Plank all the information that he has and Mayor Nash said a decision would be reached as quickly as possible. The board approved the bid for the electric department to purchase a 2020 Ford F-550 with a dump bed from Lindsey Ford for $44,546.00 by a 2-1 vote. Alderman Nash voted against the purchase as he said the electric department does not need that type of truck very often and it is too much money to spend with the other projects that city has going on. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to thank former City Attorney for his years of service to the city. He said information has been sent out to everyone about the AMI metering system as both electric meters and water meters are being changed out. If people are not at home when the meters are exchanged, they are leaving a note on the door to let them know they were there. If anyone has questions, call the utility office at 729-4117. Walden said the independent auditor has finished her field work and will be preparing the report that will presented at a future meeting. He said the nuisance survey is still on line at the salemmo.com website or people can pick one up at the City Administrative Offices. He said the city would continue to receive responses until this Friday. Walden also said the city office would be closed on Monday for Veteran’s Day. The board then approved Bill #3434 to execute a supplemental agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission on the TAP grant for the walking trail from the Salem City Park Pavilion #1 to the Salem R-80 Administrative offices. This was necessary as the lowest bidder did not meet the standards set by MoDOT. The meeting was then adjourned.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that young hunters ages 6 through 15 harvested 18,158 deer during Missouri’s early youth portion of the 2019 deer hunting season, November 2nd and 3rd. Top counties were Osage with young hunters harvesting 381 deer, Howell with 355, and Franklin with 351. Locally 249 deer were harvested by Dent County youth, 214 in Phelps County and 227 in Crawford County. Last year’s harvest total for the early youth portion was 13,645. Archery deer hunting continues through November 15th and resumes November 27th through January 15th, 2020. The November portion of firearms deer season runs November 16th-26th followed by the late youth portion November 29th through December 1st. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 6th-8th followed by the alternative methods portion December 28th through January 7th, 2020. You can get more information about deer hunting from MDC’s 2019 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov.

A two vehicle accident happened on Friday evening, November 1st at around 7:20. The report released from the Salem Police Department states that a 2015 Nissan Altima, owned and operated by Wayne Williams of Salem, was traveling south on Highway 72 and starting making a left turn onto Route J. At that time, a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, being driven by Charles Walker of Salem, attempted to avoid the Williams vehicle and veered to the right. Williams sped up to avoid a collision with the Chevrolet but collided in the intersection. Due to the impact, the Nissan crossed Route J and ran off the left side of the roadway striking an embankment before coming to a stop. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. Williams and a passenger in the Nissan received minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. Walker and a passenger in the Chevrolet sustained probable injuries and were transported by a private vehicle to SMDH for treatment.