News – Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met last night for its first meeting of June. Two public comments were heard from residents: one resident urged the board to vote against the proposed water rate increase, citing concerns of affordability. Another resident expressed concerns of unprofessional behavior observed from city leadership, proposing the city attorney draft a code of conduct and social media policy for all elected officials to follow. The Fireworks Committee’s request to close the city park to traffic for the purposes of setting off fireworks for the Fourth of July was approved. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved the surplus of two mowers due to their unusable condition. The board approved the renewal of software subscriptions and services with Omnigo Software LLC. for the police department in order to keep the department current with state databases. The annual contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for the Missouri Wastewater Surveillance Program was approved for renewal. This program monitors wastewater for disease outbreaks and is reimbursed $100 per sample each week. A bid from Pierce Asphalt at a total of $426,797 for a two-inch overlay on several streets was also approved, with the first amount of $120,000 to come out in the 2026 Fiscal Year budget and the remaining $306,797 to come out in the proposed 2027 Fiscal Year budget. Moving along, the board heard the first reading of several ordinances, including two task orders with Toth & Associates, Inc., one for engineering services for the Hickory Street sanitary sewer improvements project and another for professional land surveying services related to the Roosevelt Street sidewalk survey project. An addendum to a task order with CM Archer Group, P.C. for engineering services related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project was also read. A change order for the Water System Improvement Project was read, which is only a contract extension to accommodate a delay in equipment delivery. Several amendments to the Code of Ordinances were read, relating to the Director of Engineering or a qualified engineering firm and its appointment, tenure, qualifications, compensation, and duties. These amendments allow for the city to contract out engineering services. Finally, the board approved the ordinance amending water rates, with both Alderman John Whelan and Alderman Rick Letchworth voting yes and Alderwoman Catherine Dent voting no. Under reports of city officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge shared with board members the UFS electric utility rate study. Finance Director Stacey Houston shared that the total sales tax revenues collected for FY 2026 were $4.5 million, which is an increase of approximately 2.6% from the prior year. The city has collected 76% of the budgeted revenues, while expenditures total 68% of the budgeted expenditures; both are trending behind primarily due to grant-related revenues and expenditures coming in later than originally anticipated. Public Works Director Steve Paine notified that the transfer of liquids from the retention basin for the repair on the oxidation ditch is ongoing with smells increasing in the area, but crew members are making great progress. Paine reminded residents that the yard waste lot is not for tires, trash, or construction debris. Lastly, in his report, Letchworth issued a formal censure of Dent over her public rebuke of Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield during the board meeting of May 26th. The board then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be June 23rd and will be open to the public.

Our community has always shown up when people need it most, and now it’s time to rally around Zach Moser and his family. “We’ve Got Your Back, Zach” will be held Friday, June 19th from 5:00 to 9:00 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and will include an auction, dessert auction, concessions, T-shirts, and community support for a family facing an incredibly difficult battle with Stage 4 Sarcoma. Organizers are currently seeking auction item donations, dessert donations, monetary sponsorships for food and t-shirts, and businesses or individuals willing to support the event in any way. No donation is too small. If you would like to donate or help support this fundraiser, please contact Susie Cahill at susie@salemcommunitycenter.org. Items can be dropped off at the community center Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon with desserts being dropped off Friday, June 19th. In addition to auctions, organizers will also be holding a pickleball tournament on Saturday, June 20th beginning at 10:30 in the morning. Registration will be $25 per player. A competitive 3v3 basketball tournament will be held Saturday, June 27th, with registration at $60 per team. All proceeds from the fundraisers will help Zach and his family with treatment expenses, travel, and daily living costs as he continues his fight against cancer. For more information about these fundraisers, please call 573-739-1127 or email Susie@SalemCommunityCenter.org.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the upcoming Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 4th at 6:00 in the evening. Line up for entrants begins at 5:00 on Grand Street, in front of Southwest Baptist University. The parade will depart east on Franklin, North on MacArthur, East on Fourth Street, and end at the Dent County Courthouse. The theme of this year’s parade will be America’s 250th: Celebrating Our Past, Present and Future. To sign up or for more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 573-729-6900.

The Salem Public Library is a cooling center and is available and accessible to everyone, whether you have a library card or not. Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday are 10:00 – 5:00 in the afternoon. On Thursday, hours are 10:00 – 7:00 in the evening. On Saturday,  hours are 10:00 -1:00 in the afternoon.