The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for a regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14, in which the board was updated on efforts to complete a city cemetery mapping project through the GIS program. The board also congratulated and thanked wastewater treatment plant operator Joshua Hunt for receiving the Wastewater Operator of the Year award from MRWA during its annual fall conference award’s banquet.
In attendance included Mayor Greg Parker, Aldermen Nathan Kinsey, Rick Letchworth, Catherine Dent, and John Whelan. Also in attendance were City of Salem staff including City Administrator Sally Burbridge, City Clerk Tammy Koller, Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois, and Public Works Director Steve Paine.
Salem was entered and won third in the state in the Tap Water Challenge earlier this year, shared Chris McGuirt, water superintendent. Not only that, however, at the annual Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) Fall Conference award’s banquet, Joshua Hunt of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of Salem was awarded the Wastewater Operator of the Year for his efforts during and after the November 2024 flood.
“To tell you the truth, the plant was barely alive after that,” relayed McGuirt of the November 2024 flood’s effect on the WWTP. “It was on life support. Through the efforts of Josh—his knowledge and knowing who to reach out to and evaluating the plant—we put a plan together, got people activated, and Josh was able to bring that plant back from life support to sustaining itself and into recovery.”
In nominating Hunt for the award, McGuirt detailed all of Hunt’s contributions to MRWA—not just on that day, but every day.
“Not only getting the plant back to life again but dealing with what had transpired, going forward with upgrades, dealing with FEMA and working through all of this at one time,” described McGuirt of Hunt.
Following his nomination of Hunt, McGuirt was contacted by the MRWA and informed that Hunt had unanimously been awarded Missouri’s Wastewater Operator of the Year.
“I really do appreciate Chris’ effort of putting me in for this award,” said Hunt at the podium. “It means a lot to get recognized for just doing my daily job. Thank you.”
“Josh’s knowledge of the wastewater treatment facility helped us plan a little bit better in case of another natural disaster event like that had happened,” further shared Parker on Hunt’s efforts. “Thank you, congratulations.”
Cemetary mapping project
At the top of the agenda was an update from Burbridge regarding the cemetery mapping project. The Diamond Maps GIS platform that is utilized for mapping out city utilities also has a feature for mapping out cemeteries. Burbridge commended city staff, including Devon Jester, for mapping and inputting the plots into the map. She further commended Wanda Suhr, assistant city clerk, and utility staff for their efforts digitizing handwritten cemetery ledgers going back to the 1800s. The undertaking will ensure the public can quickly and easily access the location of buried relatives, as well as help save time for city staff.
Burbridge provided a demonstration of what the map would look like and how individuals may access information relating to each plot, also pointing out that in the 1900s a tornado had torn down a section of gravestones; individuals buried within are identified, but the location of their bodies is unknown. Another area will need manual adjustments, due to earlier plot-digging standards. In total, so far, the map includes 13,000 plots. The map is not yet public facing, clarified Burbridge, but the plan is to eventually allow public access soon, while staff continue to finish digitizing historical records and adding to the map. Thanks were expressed by Parker to staff for their efforts.
In addition, Koller shared that the cemetery ledgers are incredibly old and falling apart, due to being handled so often. She’s been working with the state archives in Jefferson City in order to preserve the books. Digitizing these records will also help in preserving the ledgers for the future as a historical document.
City staff approached the Utility Advisory Committee and the board regarding a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on companies able to perform water tower maintenance on a set schedule. A service contract would provide a maintenance plan that includes all required DNR inspections and documentation. This would help the city stay in full compliance with state requirements and avoid the risk of missing inspection deadlines or deferring needed work when budgets are tight, explained Burbridge.
Two RFQ packets were received from companies Maguire and Viking Industrial Painting. Both packets were reviewed by staff and the utility committee, who recommended moving forward with Viking Industrial Painting. The fiscal impacts are not yet known until negotiations begin with the company, following board approval. The board approved the packet from Viking Industrial Painting.
The board also approved the bid for eight HP Elite Desktops for the Police Department, at a total cost from HP at $7,960.
In other news, the board also approved the following:
• Sending the Abatement on Consent (AOC) schedule of improvements to DNR regarding the WWTP Phase 2A
• Renewal of annual membership with MRPC
• Ordinance establishing fees for dusk to dawn lights at $15/month
• Ordinance establishing criteria for determining utility service disconnects during extreme weather conditions, changing the forecast lead time from 24 hours to 72 hours
• Creating a $100 refundable deposit for faucet meters, which calculate amount of water not put down sewer drain and provide credit to customers, accordingly
• Agreement with the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement Taskforce (RADE) “to provide more effective law enforcement protection against those who engage in the distribution of narcotics and dangerous drugs,” as described within the Alderman meeting packet
Reports of City Officials
City Administrator Sally Burbridge
Burbridge reminded the board that the MRPC annual banquet is coming up Thursday, Oct. 23, and will be held at Healthy Dent County @ the Armory. Parker will be providing a speech during the banquet.
Mayor Greg Parker
Parker reminded the public of several upcoming events:
• Scenic Rivers Industries will be hosting its first annual haunted house Oct. 23-25. Donations will go toward SRI programs. For more information, contact Lena Jumper at 573-729-6264
• The second annual Salem MO Spectacular will be held 11 a.m. Oct. 25 at the Al Brown Ballfields
• Salem High School Student Council and Rotary Interactive Club will be fundraising with a “Creepy Crawly Walk” at the Salem Upper Elementary Tiger Trail from 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 at a cost of $5
• Annual Trunk or Treat on Fourth Street from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 31. For more information or to set up a station for the event, contact Sargeant Chris Robbins or Corporal Dereck Marfitt from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office
Public Works Director Steve Paine
Water department conducted several water line repairs on Franklin Street with thanks expressed toward Josh Hunt for his assistance. A new water lead has been hired who has previously worked for the city.
Electric department continued working on tree trimming. A new lineman apprentice has also been hired for the department.
Construction department has been working on improvements to the Healthy Dent County parking lot, including curb and gutter work as well as safety improvements.
Street department finalized a major project at the cemetery, conducted more pavement patches, and are continuing to maintain yard waste and mowing at the airport. Crew members have also been picking up citywide brush.
City Mechanic Jon Roos has been repairing and maintaining several pieces of equipment. He’ll also be replacing two indoor gym lights for the pickleball court at Healthy Dent County.
Paine further complimented utility staff on their efforts digitizing the cemetery ledgers, attesting that it is a large undertaking and they are completing the project in-between daily duties.
City Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield
Sutterfield reported that during her attendance of Girls’ Night Out at Healthy Dent County, 181 people had visited her booth. Attendees heard how economic development could support community members, future entrepreneurs, or business owners. Also, Sutterfield was awarded a scholarship from the National Rural Development Association (NRDA.) The scholarship covers both the conference in Nashville, Tennessee, along with a membership for the rest of the year—a value of about $2,000. The membership provides access to educational webinars and resources.
The meeting went into closed session for attorney-client privileges.
