News – Tuesday, April 14th, 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be having its regular meeting tonight at 6:00 within the City Hall Auditorium located at 202 North Washington Street. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear any scheduled public comments. A resolution declaring the results of the Municipal Election held April 7th will be approved, followed by an oath of office for newly elected officials, reorganization of the board, and committee appointments. An audit presentation will then be given. Several items will be considered, including a request for street closure from Tana Kettner, and the Salem Housing Authority board appointment of Brandon Snyder. A Library Week proclamation will be read. The board will be considering the amendment of its previous motion to approve a bid from Midstate Pipeline for the WWTP. The board will hear a second reading of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept and execute an access easement from HMH Properties, LLC. for permanent access and utility purposes, along with a resolution authorizing an access easement and lease of the former water pre-treatment building between HMH Properties, LLC. and the city. In addition, the board will be approving a contract for control panel improvements. Under bids, the board will consider the approval of the sale of surplus equipment on Purple Wave; a camera system for the city park; animal shelter improvements; and Resolve IT services. A first and second reading of an ordinance approving Change Order No. 3 for the Salem Wastewater Treatment Facility Phase 2A Improvements Project will also be considered. Finally, there will be reports from city officials, followed by adjournment into a closed session. The open session meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Resident John Baker of County Road 3193 requested ditches be pulled on the road. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams was informed by crew members ditches on the road were too wet to pull but as soon as they are dry enough, they will be pulled. In road reports, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crew members were removing a downed tree on County Road 4080. He also stated grading was going to be done on county roads 5130, 5150, 5390, 6380 and 6485. He indicated rock would be added where needed. Green went on to say that a crew member will also be working on the small dump truck. District 2 Commissioner Williams reported workers will be grading county roads 4040, 4330, 4400, 4403 and 5280. He also stated that rock will be added and grading done on county road 2550, which serves a Missouri Department of Conservation area. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the MRPC meetings last week and reported to the commissioners MRPC fees are increasing 14%. The old price for membership was $6,018, and the commission would now have to pay $6,883.80 for 2026 services. The commission all agreed to accept the price increase. Larson said there was a discussion on project based vouchers for homes in the HUD program, and that the Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) has reopened its wait list and began accepting applications for housing assistance. Larson also stated there was a discussion on the Route 66 Festival that will be going on this spring and summer. The commissioners and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley will be attending the MAC Legislative Days in Jefferson City today and Wednesday. Curley will also be attending a MAC Board meeting there, as well. Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire came in to present an agreement between the Dent County Assessor’s office and Brewer Unlimited Consulting, LLC. They will provide training and assistance in conducting lot splits at a rate of $25.00 per hour. The agreement says the county will be billed monthly and consultants will not exceed eight hours worked every two weeks. Sargent Len Pabin came in to let the commission know the Dent County Sheriff’s Department is needing diesel for their incinerator. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00, and the meeting is open to the public.