News – Monday, April 28th 2025

On Friday, April 25th Your World Today reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission would hold their meeting that evening at in the Old City Hall Auditorium. This was published in error. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Instead, the City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission will be holding a public workshop at 6:00 this evening in the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The workshop discussion will be focus on an introduction to planning and zoning, the ordinances and definitions, and the zoning map before the workshop is adjourned. This workshop was called by Keith Inman and is open to the public.

The Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Auditorium at 202 N. Washington Street. The meeting agenda was approved following the removal of the closed session, and the consent agenda was also approved. During the meeting, the Board viewed a presentation from Show Me Smoke Free, appointed former Alderman Shawn Bolerjack to represent the City with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), and approved bids  for fencing repairs and replacements at the City Park and Al Brown Sports Complex. The bids, totaling $3,500 and $14,500 respectively, will be funded through the prior year’s fund balance. The City is actively collaborating with FEMA to secure a 75% reimbursement for the total project cost. The Board also approved a letter to be presented to state legislators at the Capitol, aimed at raising awareness of infrastructure challenges currently facing the City of Salem. In addition, a request from Salem R-80 for $1,000 to support Project Graduation was approved. This annual event provides Salem High School graduates with a safe, substance-free celebration following commencement. The expenditure will be drawn from the Non-Departmental Community Support line item. There is currently $2,000 left in that budget line. During the City officials’ reports, City Administrator Sally Burbridge presented mock-ups of four potential color schemes for the new water tower, with a final decision to be made at a later date. Finance Director Stacy Houston delivered the financial report, noting that sales tax revenue has increased by approximately 9% compared to the same period last year. The total ending balance across all funds stood at approximately $13.9 million as of March 31. Mayor Greg Parker reminded residents of the upcoming city-wide yard sale scheduled for May 3, followed by the city-wide clean-up over the subsequent two weeks. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported ongoing efforts to obtain FEMA reimbursement and announced scheduled power outages in June. Official notifications will be issued detailing the dates and areas affected. He also noted that Forester will begin the second phase of their contract, focusing on trimming the City’s main feeder lines. With no further reports from the Aldermen, the meeting was adjourned.

The City of Salem Utility Committee held a meeting Wednesday evening at 6:15 in the Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street. After approving the agenda, the committee discussed a five year plan for the Capital Improvement Fund, as well as a water rate increase. The Committee voted to present the Board of Aldermen with the recommendation of raising the base rate from $6.00 to $8.00 and increasing the volume rate to $7.50. Before the meeting adjourned, Mayor Greg Parker presented Committee member John Hambacker with a recognition of appreciation.