News – Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for their regular meeting Monday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. The bid for the Fourth of July fireworks in the amount of $16,000 from Premier Pyrotechnics, Richland, Missouri was approved. The amount is a budgeted item and Premier Pyrotechnics has done the fireworks display in previous years. The Board approved the appointment of Beth Atchison to the Park Board. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported that the lifeguards are currently in training. He noted that a pool walk through was done Monday and that a few items were identified to be corrected by the contractor. Lydon noted that he had received a donation of hotdogs and hamburgers from US Foods for Thursday’s opening of the baseball, softball and T-ball season. He also reported that Saturday would be the opening of the Alice Lou Craig Pool. Lydon was asked when the Splash Pad would be back in operation. He said that they were waiting on the City Crew to finish the concrete work around the Pad and that the pump had to be turned off to keep mud and dirt from getting into the pump. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that progress was being made on the economic development position and he should have a recommendation in the next few weeks. He requested a policy change to require plan review for commercial buildings before building permits are issued. During discussion it was noted that the policy should apply to new construction and structural changes of existing structures. City Attorney Camm Seay said that the policy change will require an ordinance and that currently the City is not meeting State Statutes. Walden also requested a review of the certificates of occupancy ordinances. He reported that the Salem Community Center @ The Armory assisted 5,276 people at their facility in the Month of April. City Attorney Seay reported that he had a discussion with Dan Vogel, whose firm principally works with municipal law, about updating the City’s Ordinances on Planning and Zoning and dangerous buildings. Seay requested that the Board of Alderman consider budgeting about $7,000 in each of the next three years to accomplish the update. Bill No. 3388, an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem, Missouri and the Dent County Commons for leasing of the Commons for the annual Fourth of July activities, was read and approved by the aldermen. Park Director Lydon’s request for purchase of liquid chlorine for the pool at a cost of $3,120 was approved. No action was taken on the Cemetery’s backhoe repairs. The repairs will be included in budgeting for capital improvements.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday, May 11th just after midnight, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 19-year old female of Salem for the possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. That afternoon at about 5:32, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of East Hunt in reference to a fight in progress. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 35-year old male and a 33-year old female, both of Rolla for disorderly conduct. The two suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. On Saturday, May 12th at approximately 3:28 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Jackson in reference to a lost or stolen license plate. That investigation revealed that a license plate was missing from a green 1997 Isuzu. The report is under investigation. On Sunday, May 13th at 5:51 in the afternoon, an officer located a 35-year old male of Salem near Highway 32 and Beasley Street who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Monday, May 11th at 1:03 in the morning, an officer located a 30-year old female of Salem in the 1000 block of West Coffman who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That afternoon at 2:50, an officer located a 31-year old male of Salem near the Salem City Park who had two active arrest warrants from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrants. Early that evening at 6:45, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a lost or stolen license plate. The investigation of the report revealed that a license plate was missing from a silver 2017 Nissan. The report is under investigation. at about 9:08 that same evening, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Thomas Avenue in reference to a lost or stolen license plate. That investigation revealed a license plate was missing from a white 1989 Ford truck. The report is under investigation. Then at 10:56 that night, an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 21-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $10.46. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. If you have information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.

The Salem Community Acoustic Jam will be held Saturday night at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center at 6:30. Musicians and listeners of all ages and talents are invited and there is no cost. For more information, call 247-0279.