Paving projects decided at Dexter Aldermen meeting

By JONATHON DAWE

Statesman Staff Writer

After reviewing the areas of need in their respective wards, the Dexter Aldermen have decided which roads will be paved in the coming months.

During last month's meeting, City Administrator Mark Stidham provided the aldermen with a list of proposed paving projects in each ward, based on the roads that needed it most. It was decided that the aldermen would review the list to see if they agreed with the proposed prioritized list; and, Monday night, the list was approved.

In Ward One, the first road to receive paving work will be Catalpa Street from Hickory Hills to Business Highway 60. In Ward Two, Grant Street from Albert Street to Walnut Street will be the first to receive paving work. In Ward Three, South Hickory from East Grant to Vine Street will be first.

Stidham informed the board that funds have been budgeted for the work already.

"What we'll do is, we'll start these projects and we'll take them as far as we can until the end of the fiscal year, and we'll go on from there," Stidham explained.

Ward One has six different streets listed for work, while Ward Two has four, as doesWard Three.

In other news, the board approved an ordinance which amends chapter 380 of the Dexter city code to bring the local ordinance concerning vehicle headlight use in compliance with the state law.

According to the newly-adopted ordinance, headlights are required any time one half-hour after sunset to one half-hour before sunrise "and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearing discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead."

The ordinance further states that headlights are also required any time the weather conditions require use of the vehicle's windshield wipers to operate the vehicle. It also states that "the provisions of this section shall be interpreted to require lighted lamps during periods of fog even if usage of the windshield wipers is not necessary to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner."

During the department head's report section of the meeting, Dexter Police Chief Sammy Stone requested permission from the board to donate a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria to the Stoddard County Prosecutor's office, as the vehicle is currently not in regular service. The board approved.

Dexter Fire Chief Don Seymore requested permission for the Fire Department to start taking bids on some old equipment the fire department no longer uses. Seymore explained that he would like to take bids as the opportunities arise for an old rescue truck that is no longer used, as well as a cascade system that isn't used.

During the City Administrator's report, Mark Stidham informed the board that the city is currently experiencing difficulty with the U.S. Postal Service. (see related article)

"Last week, on Jan. 26, we mailed out over 4,000 water bills," Stidham explained. "As of today, those bills are unaccounted for. They don't seem to know where the bills are at this point."

Stidham went on to explain that many customers have taken the initiative to contact city hall and find out what their bill is; but there are those who are likely still waiting for their bills to arrive.

"This will cause some delays, and we're anticipating that," Stidham remarked. "We don't know exactly what delays there will be as a result of this; but, I just wanted to inform everyone so they will know what is going on."

During the Mayor's report, Mayor Joe Weber recommended the appointment of Patrick Barbour to the Dexter Airport Board, and the aldermen unanimously agreed. The board also approved the plumber's licensing of Joe Bollinger and Son LLC.