A public hearing was held at the Dexter Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday night concerning the abandonment of Matthews Street. The hearing was held in response to a letter from Tyson Foods that requested that the city abandon the south 895 feet of the street. City Administrator Mark Stidham explained that Tyson Foods wishes to use the area as additional space for a loading dock and that it is “mandated by USDA to keep it under lock and gate for safety purposes.” Stidham said that the closing of the street would help with safety as there are a number of forklifts and trucks in the area.
Stidham also says that the city is “trying to encourage people not to use the Ray Street (railroad) crossing” for safety reasons as well.
At the Board of Aldermen meeting in May, Stidham had explained that the city needed to proceed with public notification of the proposed abandonment. Dexter City Attorney Yewell G. Lawrence, Jr. informed the board that this has since been done by publishing a notice in the newspaper and by giving notice to those people who live within 300 feet of the property being discussed.
James Childers appeared in opposition to the abandonment due to concerns of waste being dropped closer to the houses on Matthews Street. Childers also expressed concern that emergency services would not be able to use Matthews Street if it were closed.
Dexter City Fire Chief Don Seymore said that emergency services in the area do not use the street but instead use Highway 114 to service that area of Dexter.
The board voted to abandon the south 895 feet of Matthews Street while retaining an easement for existing utilities.
The Dexter city water department reported that the east tower on Locust Street will be shut down this week for repairs. When the tower was patched earlier in the year a spot was missed and will now be fixed. No interruption of service is expected to occur.
Seymore informed the board that the testing of all 530 fire hydrants in the city has been completed. He reported that they are getting ready for July 4 and the fireworks show.
The street and sanitation department said that they will spray on Wednesday, July 3 for mosquitoes in preparation for the fireworks show.
Stidham reported that the Dexter sign located on Highway 25 that is visible coming south from Bloomfield has been removed. According to Stidham the sign was missing the “R” and also the images of the daisy flower and the ear of corn. Christian Memorial has been asked to give the city an estimate for a new sign that would be lighter weight. The estimate will be presented to the board for approval once received.
Mary Worley of the Dexter tourism committee appeared before the board to report on the Rib City Shootout, which is at its halfway point. She said that 196 teams came over four weeks in June, which is an estimated 4000 people visiting Dexter.
Dexter Chief of Police Trevor Pulley reported that the new employees the board approved hiring at the meeting in June are in field training. He requested an executive session concerning the police department to be conducted after the evening’s meeting.