Local News – Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Tuesday evening, the City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the Hearing of Persons, the board heard from Debbie Murphy regarding a recent FaceBook poll that she conducted asking the citizens if they would like to see a Town Hall meeting held with the Board of Aldermen. With a total of 42 votes, 46% said yes and 2% said no. The survey also asked if citizens would attend if a meeting was held and 34% said they would with 2% saying they would not. She asked how this could be put on an upcoming agenda and Mayor Parker said that citizens cannot request agenda items but the Aldermen can. Alderwoman Sisco stated that the board has been discussing new ways to handle the hearing of persons for future meetings. In New Business, the board approved appointing City Clerk Tammy Koller as the employer delegate at the LAGERS annual meeting. They also approved the bid from Lead Belt Materials for $23,712.00 for 304 tons of cold mix asphalt for street maintenance to patch potholes, repair dig-outs as well as smooth out and level rough areas of streets. The board approved the city providing water and sewer services to the Robbie and Ashley Owen property off Highway 72 with the homeowners being responsible for all hookup fees and premium out of town rates. The board then tabled the request for city water service from Doil and Tammy Richardson, located at 103 W. Dilworth Lane, until Attorney Weber can look into annexation rules. The board approved Resolution 23-2023 for a new DCAWS contract for animal placement which states a maximum of 10 animals per month at $50 per animal. They tabled the three bills from the September 12th meeting pertaining to two properties on Babb Lane and one on Scenic Rivers Blvd, due to lack of a voting quorum because Alderman Sisco abstained from voting and Alderman Duncan was not in attendance. The board approved amending the City Administrators duties per codes to match the current purchasing policies. City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported that all downtown right-of- ways have been approved by MoDOT and bid packets are being prepared. She estimated the construction for this project to be in the Spring of 2024.  Mayor Parker reported that Healthy Dent County will host a Witches Walk at the Tiger Trail on Saturday, October 28th beginning at 9:00 AM. He also thanked the local businesses that are participating in the scarecrow decorations. Public Works Director Mark Nash updated the board on the McDonald’s project and the electric transformer will be set soon. The Al Brown project materials are in and the electrical work on the lights will begin soon. It was also reported that the Salem R-80 Construction Trade underground electric service will begin soon.  Alderwoman Sisco reported that Healthy Dent County will host a Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, November 4th. The Park and Recreation Board is working on a new policy to establish park access hours which they feel will help deter vandalism and vagrancy. Alderman Williams announced a Utility Committee meeting will be held tonight at 6:15 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. A Board of Adjustments meeting will be held on Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meetings are open to the public. The board then went into closed session. 

An accident happened Monday evening just before 8:30 in Dent County on Route H at Route C in Lenox. According to the highway patrol report, a 1996 Toyota Camry being driven by 47-year-old Joshua Williams of Springfield, failed to stop at the stop sign, then slid off the roadway and struck a utility pole. Williams, who was not wearing a seat restraint, suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has release some reports for the final week of September and the first week of October. First on Friday, September 29th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of W. Highway 32. During the course of the stop, a 51-year-old Arkansas man was arrested on an outstanding warrant through the State of Arkansas. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. Then on Tuesday, October 3rd, a deputy responded to the 200 block of Dent County Road 4155 for a reported fire. The victim, a 40-year-old Jadwin man, advised he was staying at a friend’s home when he awoke to smoke filling the residence. Based on the evidence found at the scene, an investigation is ongoing. Two days later on Thursday, October 5th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at S. Highway 19 and Dent County Road 5080. During the course of the stop, it was determined the operator, a 40-year-old Salem man, had revoked driving privileges. Charges will be submitted to the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office. Please call 729-3241 if you have information about any investigation.