The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 9, during which the board discussed a street closure for Trunk and Treat, appraisals on city owned parcels, and an airport restriping bid.
Those in attendance included Mayor Greg Parker, board members Rick Letchworth, Nathan Kinsey, and Catherine Dent. Not in attendance was board member John Whelan.
Carrie Sutterfield, economic development director, presented regarding the pursuit of appraisals on development-ready land sites owned by the city, including three parcels within the Master’s Industrial Park, and the parcel known as the Old Middle School Grounds. Sutterfield noted that the inclusion of the Old Middle School Grounds, despite being donated to the Salem Housing Authority, was due to Attorney Weber recommending having it appraised so the value is known and recorded. The board approved having the properties appraised by John Smallwood, Commercial Appraiser, at a total of $3,550.
In other news, the board approved the following:
• the closure of Fourth Street, from North Main Street to MacArthur, for the annual Trunk or Treat event Oct. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• appointment of Tammy Koller as employer delegate to attend the LAGERS Annual Meeting Oct. 30-31 in Springfield
• Airport runway striping project bid from R.F. Sealing and Striping, LLC. to restripe the airport/taxiway for the amount of $14,980.10
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Greg Parker
• The VFW will be hosting its 13th annual Smoking Hot Veteran’s Rib Cook Off Saturday, Sept. 20. Rib dinners will be available at 5 p.m.
• Missouri Good Neighbor Week will be celebrated Sept. 28 through Oct. 4. Good Neighbor Week encourages residents to perform and document acts of neighborliness such as helping with yard work, organization, block parties, or simply reaching out to connect with your neighbors to foster safer, friendlier and more connected communities. For more information, visit website missourigoodneighborweek.com.
• The community wide yard sale is coming up on Oct. 4. A citywide fall cleanup will follow Oct. 6-10.
Public Works Director Steve Paine
If residents have any utility issues, submit work orders by calling 573-729-4117. With other questions or concerns, contact the administrative building by calling 573-729-4811. After hours issues, call the police department’s non-emergency dispatch number at 573-729-4242. Social media does not generate work orders.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is healthy with daily testing continuing.
The water department fixed several water line repairs across the city. Crew members are currently reworking plumbing near Craig Plaza, as different piping was discovered while running power for the new downtown lights.
The electric department have been working hard cleaning the back lot. Crew members set up for the concert on Saturday, Sept. 13. They continue working on streetlight repairs and replacements.
The construction department finished the curb and gutter project on West Bergman, with compliments received from residents in the neighborhood. Crew members will begin working on safety related parking lot project at the Health Dent County Fitness Center, to make it more accessible for emergency vehicles.
The street department is keeping the cemetery in good condition and mowing citywide. Street painting projects continue as they continue pavement patching. They are maintaining the yard waste area.
City mechanic Jon Roos repaired and maintained multiple pieces of equipment citywide. He’s working on a solution for the indoor lights at the TCRC.
Cemetery crew members continue maintenance and mowing.
Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield
Sutterfield shared that the city continues to promote local business growth by supporting entrepreneurs through funding assistance, business startup guidelines, and space options for establishing or expanding their operations.
Currently, the city has 23 buildings and 20 sites listed under their site selection resources, with staff maintaining listings with local realtors and the county assessor to ensure accuracy. This site selection system is directly linked to LOIS (Location One Information System), a national database that significantly expands Salem's market reach for attracting industrial and commercial development opportunities, shared Sutterfield.
While housing remains an ongoing challenge, progress is being made through recent policy decisions, noted Sutterfield.
