The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25, during which there was a sparse agenda for the evening; however, under reports of city officials, Alderwoman Catherine Dent announced that Advocacy for Animals, subcommittee of the Community Involvement Committee, had brokered a deal with Dent County Animal Welfare Society (DCAWS) and Ozark Pet Rescue to reopen the previous DCAWS building for the use of animals.
“There are a lot of details that have to be worked out, but it will be renamed the Ozark Pet Rescue Charlotte White Center,” announced Dent. “As that information becomes available, I will let you know.”
Library board appointments
Due to a scheduling conflict, S. N. Ball submitted his resignation from the Salem Public Library Board. Conrad Hake was asked to serve in his place, with the board of aldermen approving.
The board also approved the appointment of Kathryn Hill, as board member Harold Hamilton had passed.
Tree trimming bid
Tree trimming is essential to properly maintain the electrical system, particularly along the larger feeder lines. Salem has four main feeder lines that deliver power from the substation behind the Parks Shop at 3rd and Grand to the rest of the community. Smaller distribution lines branch off the main feeders to serve residents and businesses.
The tree trimming required along the feeder lines is a substantial undertaking and exceeds what city crews can complete while still providing necessary services to the community.
This phase of trimming will cover seven miles of feeder line in the southwest quadrant of town and will include limb trimming, tree removal, brush clearing, and lawn remediation to ensure the power lines remain clear, reliable, and safe.
Two bids were received: Asplundh’s, $179,785.54 and Forester Works, $112,861.16. There is $69,500 left for the project in the Capital Improvements budget. The intent would be to fund $69,500.00 during the current fiscal year and the remainder ($43,361.16) in the next fiscal year, beginning in July.
Forester Works, who previously did tree trimming for the city, was awarded the bid with all approving.
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Greg Parker
Upcoming events around Salem include:
• The Christmas Parade will be held 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 with lineup to begin at 5:30 p.m. The theme will be “Candy Cane Lane.”
• The Ozark Heritage Artisans will be holding an art show and sale from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Creative Arts Center.
• PJ and Pancakes with Santa will be hosted from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Armory. There will be County Road Coffee, pancake breakfast, balloon art, juice box, and more.
• Keeping Christmas at Home will be held 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Salem Upper Elementary with all local vendors.
• Christmas Trivia Night will be held from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the Armory, with all proceeds to go toward 2026 Project Graduation. Concessions will be available, along with a 50/50 raffle.
City Administrator Sally Burbridge
Burbridge provided a report on the most recent Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool Committee (MMMPEP) of the Missouri Electric Commission (MEC), which met on Oct. 29. Within the meeting packet, Burbridge goes into detail about electric purchasing and updates from the meeting—but she emphasized how the city is moving from just power purchase contracts to actual ownership shares in generation stations. Long-term resource planning is being done on the city’s behalf by MPUA.
Long-term, shared Burbridge, there is discussion of combining power purchase pools managed by MPUA to help cover the extra capacity required after reaching peak load.
Finance Director Stacey Houston
Total sales tax revenues collected for FY 2026 are $2,083,336 , which is up 3.3% from the prior year.
Utility usage and revenue for FY 2026:
• Electric: A total of 17,753,851 kWh of electricity was billed, reflecting a slight increase compared to the same time last year. Revenues billed totaled $2,400,936, also showing an increase from the prior year.
• Purchase of Power: The City paid $1,584,923 to MPUA for purchased power, which is slightly higher than the amount paid during the same period last year.
• Water: A total of 45,165,255 gallons of water was billed, reflecting a slight increase over the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed were $419,640, this is up from prior year.
• Sewer: A total of 41,381,079 gallons was billed, showing an increase compared to the same time frame as last year. Revenues billed were $553,273; this is up from prior year.
The ending total of all funds is $15,236,348. The city has brought in 25% of the budgeted amount and spent 24% of the budgeted amount.
Economics Development Director Carrie Sutterfield
The banner program is coming along nicely, said Sutterfield. Sutterfield also shared that she was able to attend the National Rural Economic Development Association conference in Tennessee through an awarded scholarship Nov. 5-7. The event had a variety of professionals to connect with, representative of rural communities like our own. It was a beneficial conference to attend with a variety of innovative ideas shared to implement to build and enhance Salem.
Public Works Director Steve Paine
Wastewater Treatment Plant: Facility is healthy and functioning, with daily testing continuing. Phase 2A upgrades are also continuing.
Water department: Crew members fixed several water line repairs. A fire hydrant at the corner of East Fourth and North Warfel was replaced.
Electric department and street department crew members worked to put up all snowflakes, per mayoral request.
Construction department: Crew members are working on the concrete project over at the city park to make it safer, with temporary downtown lights being set up in preparation for the parade and the holiday season.
Street department: Crew members finished packing gravel in the Healthy Dent County Fitness Center parking lot. Crew members also cute a fire trail around the yard waste area. Street sweeping, cleaning drop-ins, and cleaning ditches out continues.
The city mechanic, Jon Roos, has been working on equipment across the city and keeping everything maintained. In addition, he ensured HVAC units and facilities were functioning properly.
Alderwoman Catherine Dent
Dent attended Lunch and Learn Nov. 18 with Parker and Sutterfield, as hosted by Mitch Rademan, director of Missouri Department of Economic Development, where they learned how Salem can launch a Missouri Main Street chapter. She attended a ribbon cutting event at the new Salem Four Rivers Clinic. She also spoke with various individuals in the West Ward with regard to property concerns and utilities. In addition, Dent spoke at a Rotary Club of Salem meeting recently, alongside Amber Harrison Schwartz. They were able to speak on the Community Involvement Committee and subcommittee, Advocacy for Animals.
