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Friday, November 27, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Ten Pages
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 157th Year - No. 25
TRENTON CITY COUNCIL
Briefs...
Raises Approved For Law Enforcement Personnel
Use Tax To Be On April Ballot Trenton voters will decide whether or not residents within the city limits would pay a local “use tax” that would be applied to Internet purchases those individuals make from out of state business. The Trenton City Council on Monday night agreed to prepare an ordinance that, if approved, would put the issue on the ballot in April. The tax, according to councilwoman and economic development committee chairman Cathie Smith, would provide increased revenues to the city to help pay for services such as law enforcement, street improvements, etc., as well as “level the playing field” for local businesses, which currently collect city sales tax on local purchases that is not currently paid on out of state Internet purchases. The local use tax cannot exceed the amount of the current city sales taxes, which is 2.58 percent, and a yes vote would not change that amount. It was noted the state of Missouri already collects a state use tax, paid on out of state Internet purchases by all residents of the state and is used for state services. The council also agreed to increase wages for law enforcement personnel, including both officers and dispatchers. Members voted on a recommendation from the finance committee that would up the hourly salary paid by $3 for officers and $1 for dispatchers and the animal control officer, effective immediately. In addition, the council agreed to pay an overtime rate to salaried officers working over 45 hours per week (with patrolling
DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS
75¢
per copy
involved). Mrs. Smith, who also serves as chairman of the finance committee, stated the current base salary for law enforcement personnel paid by Trenton is less than at least three communities in the area, resulting in the city being unable to fill open positions. Information provided at the meeting showed Trenton’s base salary at $32,698 while Bethany’s starting annual pay is $33,500. Chillicothe begins its officers at $34,777 and Cameron has a starting pay of $42,777. Police Chief Rex Ross said the city is currently authorized to have 12 officers, but that just six are available now with the police chief and lieutenant also helping with patrolling duties. In addition, Trenton is looking at one officer retiring in December and one officer remains on workman’s compensation. Attempts have been made to hire new officers, with one individual being hired from among seven recent applicants. He noted that most law enforcement academy students “are spoken for” before they even graduate. City Administrator Ron Urton said that the salary increases, along with benefits associated with the raises, would result in a $103,920 expenditure. However, it is anticipated the city can save around $82,754 in increased part-time and overtime expenses currently being paid. That would result in a cost to the city at around $21,166, which City Clerk Cindy Simpson said would be paid from the city’s general fund balance as it was not part of
the current city budget. Urton is to also check to make sure the hourly overtime rate to be paid to salaried officers (the police chief and lieutenant) meets the Fair Labor Standards Act. The council discussed efforts in using local businesses to make small cost purchases when possible/practical, then decided to leave the decision with department heads and Urton. It was noted the city’s current purchase policy requires bids to be sought for all purchases over $10,000, with local vendors to be approved if their bid is within 5 percent of the low bid, and that three quotes can be sought for purchases from $2,500 to $10,000 before a decision is made. However, there is no written policy for purchases under $2,500. Several department heads noted they already try to buy locally when possible and felt a written policy was not needed. In an effort to save wear and tear on existing vehicles and to allow street personnel to be freed up for other projects, the council voted to hire a Cairo company to haul sand and rock to the asphalt plant. The city will pay Mutter Farms $6 per ton for sand and $2.50 per ton for rock, with the cost for the hauling totaling $119,000. The bids from Mutter Farms was the lowest of three received. In other business, the council: • set Dec. 15 to Jan. 19 as the filing dates for persons interested in serving on See City, Page 3
Friday, Dec. 4
KC Wolf Will Be In Holiday Parade KC Wolf, mascot for the 2020 Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, will be making an appearance in the Trenton Downtown Christmas Parade scheduled for Friday night, Dec. 4. KC Wolf will be riding in the parade on a conveyance provided by the Trenton Coca-Cola Bottling Company LLC, which is sponsoring the mascot’s visit to Trenton. He will also be available to visit with youth once the parade makes its way to downtown Trenton. The parade gets under way at 6 p.m., with entries lining up at 5:30 p.m. in the Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri parking lot. The route will pass by Bristol Manor, Eastview Manor and Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments before continuing onto Princeton Road, 22nd Street, Chestnut Street and Main Street, where it will travel south to the downtown area. The parade will then travel to the intersection of Ninth and Main Street, turning back north onto Main Street before finishing up at the Grundy County Museum at the corner of Tinsman Avenue and Mable Street. In addition to KC Wolf, the parade will also feature Santa and his elves. Once the parade gets to the downtown area, the elves will be passing out craft projects to youth. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations wanting to have an entry in the parade are asked to call Cindy Jennings as soon as possible at 359-1923.
NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI COLLEGE
Spickard Spec cial Me eetiing The Spickard Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30 at Spickard City Hall. City Clerk Amy Chapman said the board will be setting the filing dates for the April election and discussing emergency management planning.
Drrop p Bo ox Fo or Ta axe s The Grundy County Treasurer’s Office is reminding county residents that they can use the outside drop box to pay their 2020 real estate and personal property taxes. Treasurer Barb Harris said anyone who is concerned about coming into the courthouse or who wishes to use the drop box can feel confident that the box is being checked daily. A receipt for taxes paid will be sent to the taxpayer. The drop box is located on the north side of the courthouse. Taxes can also be mailed, but all taxes must be in the box, paid or postmarked by Dec. 31.
Liibrrary Usse Cha anges The Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library will be moving to “curbside pickup” and “15-minute essential business by appointment computer usage” only, beginning on Monday, Nov. 30 until further notice. Patrons may request items for “curbside pickup” by calling the library at 359-3577 or by using the Evergreen link on the library website, www.grundycountylibary.org. Perons needing help with using the Evergreen link can call the library for assistance. Computer usage appointments may be made by calling the library during business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. When entering the library for a computer appointment, persons must wear a mask, covering nose and mouth.
COVID D-19 Update Active COVID-19 cases in Grundy County remain steady, with 112 reported as of Wednesday morning. The Grundy County Health Department reported a decrease of 14 active cases since Monday, when active case numbers were at 126. The total number of cases in Grundy County since testing began is at 633, up 16 since Monday. There have also been 19 deaths, an increase of one. Othere area county numbers include Livingston, 746 (79 active, including 20 hospitalized, 19 deaths); Linn, 635 (90 active, 16 deaths); Sullivan, 628 (49 active, 7 deaths); Carroll, 529 (73 active, 9 deaths); Harrison, 422 (49 active, 5 deaths); Caldwell, 400 (60 active, 4 deaths); Daviess, 349 (95 active, 7 deaths); Putnam, 181 (36 active, 2 deaths); and Mercer, 74 (18 active, including 5 hospitalized, 0 deaths).
Letters To Santa The Trenton Republican-Times will be publishing Letters to Santa in a special section that will be included in the newspaper on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Children are encouraged to write letters to Santa, telling him of their gift wishes for Christmas. Letters must include the child’s name, age, address (town) and a telephone number in order to be published. Only the child’s name, age and town will be included in the letter. Because of space constraints, letters should be kept to a minimum and the R-T reserves the right to edit letters, if necessary. Persons wanting to submit letters may do so by mail at PO Box 548, Trenton, MO 64683; by e-mail at rtimes@lyn.net; or they may be brought to the R-T office during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. Emailing letters is encouraged. Letters must be received no later than Friday, Dec. 11.
Kansas City Chiefs Mascot KC Wolf
Trustees Authorize Contract Signing
Residence Hall Construction Moves Ahead North Central Missouri College Trustees are moving forward with their plans to construct two new residence halls, with groundbreaking set for the near future. Following an executive session during Tuesday’s meeting, the board voted to authorize NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver to execute a contract with Weldon Builders and Construction of Trenton for the construction of two suite-style residence halls. The new halls, each with 16 beds, will be located on East Crowder Road, northeast of the
Ketcham Community Center. Groundbreaking will take place in the near future with occupancy planned for the fall 2021 semester. Personnel items highlighted the remainder of the meeting, with board members accepting the retirement of Linda Cowling, an English teacher who has been with the college for 14 years and in education for 28 years. Her retirement is effective at the end of the summer 2021 intersession. Trustees also gave emeritus status to Linda Brown, who retired in October. She had served the college for 35
years, retiring as registrar/director of records. The employment of Kevin Hutchison of Chillicothe as a maintenance worker was approved. He will begin his duties on Nov. 30 at a pay rate of $12.34 per hour. Shonda Baker of Jameson was hired to fill the position of student accounts specialist at a pay rate of $12.44. She will also begin her duties on Nov. 30. Adjunct instructors hired include Darcy Oetting of Platte City, who will teach accounting courses beginning with the spring 2021 semester, and
National Weather Service
Sunny and chilly over the weekend with a high on Saturday of 52 while Sunday’s high will be around 47. It will only reach 36 on Monday. Lows will be as low as 19. The high at Trenton on Monday was 37 with two inches of snow. Tuesday’s high was 50, the low was 35 and .78 of an inch of rain was recorded. The high on Tuesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 48 and the low was 40 with 2.3 inches of rain.
Tocarra Williams of Trenton, the current assistant director for Student Support Services, who will teach public affairs courses, also beginning with the spring semester. The board approved changes in the titles for the positions of admissions/international student representative and admissions recruiter. A change in title and job description and duties was also approved for the Northwest Workforce Development Board, changing the program operations manager/Equal Employment Opportunity officer to the Equal Em-
What’s Inside... Gilman City and Princeton matched up for a pair of boys and girls basketball games on Tuesday night. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for a recap of the contests played at Princeton.
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ployment and Program Compliance Coordinator. The position will be moved from an AMP (salaried) position to an a classified (hourly) position. Green Hills Head Start personnel items approved included the resignation of Vanessa Moore as health specialist, effective Jan. 1, 2021, and the approval of the employment of Aundriea Lopez as a teacher aide at the Chillicothe “A” Head Start program. The GHHS program is administered See NCMC, Page 3
What’s Inside
Sports/NASCAR...........page 2 Local News ....................page 3 Op/Ed ............................page 4 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Agriculture....................page 6 Comics ...........................page 7 Dear Annie ....................page 8 Crosswords....................page 8