PDF PAGES FOR WEBISTE.qxp_Layout 1 5/16/19 1:20 PM Page 1
Friday, May 17, 2019
TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES
Trenton, MO 64683
75¢ per copy Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Twelve Pages & 2 Inserts
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 155th Year - No. 73
TRENTON R-9 SCHOOL BOARD
MONTHLY MEETINGS Lunch Prices OK’d
Construction Project Timeline Reviewed
Employee Insurance Generates Discussion The Trenton R-9 Board of Education has set a special meeting for Monday, May 20 to continue discussion regarding employee health insurance after reviewing options that ranged from a 15 percent increase in rates costing the district $202,360 by staying with the current provider to a savings to the district of $145,501 if a different provider is selected. The board will meet at noon on Monday with a representative from National General, which is proposing a plan that would cost $511.24 per employee per month. National General is one of three companies making proposals to the board and has the lowest cost. Other proposals were received from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the district’s current provider, at a cost of $658.34 (the $202,360 increase), and from United Healthcare, whose proposal is $601 and would cost the district an additional $66,987 over what is currently being paid. The district currently pays $572 per month per employee. During a meeting on Tuesday night, Superintendent Dan Wiebers told board members all three plans would maintain the $2,500 deductible, with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare plans also maintaining other benefits offered in the current package. The National General plan would have a higher co-pay for visits to the doctor and emergency room as well as a small increase in pharmacy costs, which is managed by Cigna, the same company which manages the district’s current pharmacy plan. The National General plan would pay 150 percent of
TRENTON CITY COUNCIL
Medicare price and would include telemedicine and a wellness program. Under the National General plan, the district would not be required to purchase “terminal liability insurance,” which is required under the current plan with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The insurance covers all costs incurred on a claim filed prior to the expiration of coverage but not submitted for payment until after the expiration date. Should such an incident occur, the district would be liable in the first year for those costs up to $260,000. The district could choose to take terminal insurance with National General, however, Wiebers noted the cost would then go to $584 per employee per month. The board, at past meetings, has discussed capping the amount of money it would allow per employee for insurance coverage at $600. The district currently pays just over $1.2 million a year for employee insurance coverage or around 12 percent of the district budget. With the final day of school being Friday, May 24, Wiebers asked the board to hold the special meeting so that a decision can be made and employee paperwork can be filled out before staff leave for the summer. Before the meeting, Wiebers will also be asking employees for their input regarding the options available to determine their preference and whether or not they would be willing to pay the difference if the board were to cap the premium amount the district would pay. It was noted that around 30 retirees also
CITY OF SPICKARD
committee had also recommended having a study done on electric rates to determine if the rates being charged were appropriate and to look at what the city might need to do with rates in the future. In discussing that recommendation, council members voted 5-3 to ask for a request for qualifications regarding a rate study, which would also include those submitting an RFQ to make a presentation to the council as to what the study would entail. Larry Crawford, who chairs both the finance and utility committees, said a study could cost between $15,000 to $18,000, but said he felt it would be a benefit in planning for future utility projects and how the utility would pay for those projects. TMU Comptroller Rosetta Marsh
said it would also help the utility in setting future rates, making sure that charges are correct in each category. Voting in favor of the rate study was Crawford, Glen Briggs, Cathie Smith, David Mlika and John Dolan. Opposed were Lou Fisher, Danny Brewer and Brad Chumbley. The council approved a request to establish a lower charge for food trucks setting up in the downtown area one day a week. North Central Missouri Development Alliance Director Micah Landes and TDIA Director Megan Derry made the request, stating the two groups were planning to have one food truck set up in the downtown’s historic district one day a week during See Council, Page 7
Board Members Resign Vandevender had served on the board around 15 years. Allan Tharp, who was among several individuals receiving write-in votes for mayor in the April election, agreed to serve in the mayor’s position. Spickard had no candidates for mayor on the ballot. Mrs. George said that a posting of a job vacancy for a maintenance man/wastewater operator has been put on hold until the city’s finances improve. She said that board members and the mayor have been volunteering their time to read meters in the city so that bills can be sent out. Stephanie Ross, a technical assistance provider with Midwest Assistance Program of
See R-9, Page 7
With the Memorial Day holiday being on Monday, May 27, the Republican-Times will be pushing back its publication by one day. The newspaper, which would normally be published on Tuesday, May 28, will now be published on Wednesday, May 29. Persons having news to be included in the May 29 edition are asked to have it at the R-T office no later than 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28. The advertising deadline for the May 29 newspaper will be 10 a.m. on Friday, May 24.
Commission To Meet The Grundy County Commission will meet in regular session on Tuesday at the courthouse. The only item listed on the announced agenda is a 10 a.m. meeting with Ambulance Director Steve Tracy.
Summer Reading Sign-Up "A Universe of Stories" Summer Reading Program kicks off this Saturday, May 18 at the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library. Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the children’s library and will include a snack along with an activity where participants can take part in making a “breath-powered rocket” with members of the Trenton High School Key Club. For more information, persons can call the library at 359-3577.
Gym Shoe Donations
The Wolf Den of Cub Scout Pack 23 has organized a community service project at Rissler Elementary School to collect gym shoes for donation to Bright Futures Trenton. All scouts of Pack 23 will be participating in the drive, which includes a “Gym Shoe Dash” on the last day of school, where cub scouts will visit the classrooms of their respective grades to collect gym shoes from their fellow students. The shoes will then be piled in the commons area so the kids can see the results of their efforts. Permission slips went home with students this week so parents can designate if they would like their child to donate their gym shoes or not. Monetary donations will also be accepted and should be directed to Bright Futures Trenton, Rissler School, 801 West 4th Terrace, Trenton, MO 64683.
Land Use Hearing The Trenton Planning and Zoning Commission has set a public hearing for 7 p.m. on Monday, June 3 at city hall to hear comments regarding proposed text amendments to the Trenton City Code involving land use. The text amendments pertain to zoning district regulations governing medical marijuana uses within the city of Trenton. Anyone interested in the proceedings will be given an opportunity to be heard. Copies of the proposed amendments are available for review at city hall during regular business hours.
See Spickard, Page 3
The THS boys tennis team is sending one singles player and one doubles team to state following sectional action earlier this week. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times to find out who will be representing Trenton at Springfield.
Trenton Republican-Times “News Every Day...When YOU Want It”
RAINY WEEKEND
Meal prices and personnel highlighted meetings this week of the Pleasant View R6, Laredo R-7 and Princeton R-5 boards of education. Pleasant View R-6 Meal prices were set by the Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education during its meeting on Tuesday night. According to information provided by Superintendent Rebecca Steinhoff, student lunch prices will be increased by 10 cents next year, going to $2.55. Breakfast prices will remain the same at $1.40. Approval was given to a bid from Michael Construction to refinish the library floor at a cost of $4,000. Also approved was a contract with Pinpoint Tech LLC for technology services during the 2019-20 school year at a rate of $50 per hour. The accelerated reading program for third through eighth grades was approved for next year at a cost of $1,450. Also approved was the 2019-20 student and faculty handbooks. It was announced the board is accepting applications for a one-year vacancy, created by the resignation of Jill Reeter with applications being accepted for a two-week period. Patrons interested in serving on the board are asked to contact the school office. The board discussed a certificate of deposit set to mature in June, but took no action. Upcoming dates of importance include eighth grade graduation on May 20, the awards assembly and field day on May 21 and the last day of school on May 22 (with an early out). KEYS summer school starts on May 28 and continues through June 13. Following an executive session, the board approved hiring Stacy McLain of Galt as the new school custodian. She began her duties on May 15. Enrollment for the 2019-20 school year was also approved. The next regular board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 17. Laredo R-7 The Laredo R-7 Board of Education offered contracts and set lunch prices during its meeting on Monday night. According to information provided by Administrator Misty Foster, the board offered contracts to all non-certified personnel and agreed to pay for employee life and vision insurance. Lunch prices for the 2019-20 school year will be going up by 10 cents to $2.50. The board voted to freeze bus salaries and will run the bus route only on the Laredo schedule. Approval was given See Boards, Page 3
What’s Inside...
National Weather Service Rain is expected over the weekend and will continue into the first part of next week. The highs will be in the mid 60s and the lows will be in the mid 40s. The high on Monday, May 13 at Trenton was 68, Tuesday’s high was 80, with .03 of an inch of rain, and Wednesday’s high was 83. The overnight low was 54. There was no report from the Government Weather Station near Spickard.
purchase their insurance coverage through the district. Dennis Gutshall, who will be serving as project manager for the recently-approved construction project, presented a timeline that, if all goes as planned, would have the THS Vesper Service being held in the
R-T Deadline Change
Two New Aldermen Appointed
The Spickard Board of Aldermen met on Monday night, accepting resignations and appointing new board members. According to board member Maggie George, alderman Janice Vandevender, who had been filling in as mayor until and individual could be appointed, and alderman Frank Felder submitted their resignations from the board, effective immediately. This left only Mrs. George as a member of the board as Ken Neill had resigned from the board at a previous meeting. Mrs. George said that Charles Holtzclaw and Daniel Chapman have agreed to be appointed to fill two of the three vacancies, with the third to be filled at a future meeting. The board, along with others who were in attendance at the meeting, thanked Mrs. Vandevender for her many years of service to the city. Mrs. George said Mrs.
R-T Photo/Diane Lowrey
THS social studies teacher Vince Fender, left, was recognized by the Trenton R-9 Board of Education during Tuesday night’s meeting. Fender is retiring after 19 years of service in the R-9 District. Also pictured is R-9 Board President Doug Franklin.
Briefs...
Downtown Vendor Day Pass Approved
Electric Rate Changes Are Made Permanent Trenton Municipal Utilities electric customers will continue paying the winter rate throughout the year following action taken by the Trenton City Council on Monday night. On an 8-0 vote, the council approved a recommendation from the Utility Committee to leave electric rates at the lower amount which TMU normally charges only during the months of October through May. There was very little discussion regarding the change as committee members during a meeting on April 30, at which all council members were present, had agreed to recommend the lower rates due to a high amount in the electric department’s cash reserves. As part of that meeting, the
Area School Boards Meet
www.republican-times.com
What’s Inside Sports.............................page 2 Local News .......page 3, 7 & 11 Op/Ed ............................page 4 NASCAR .......................page 4 Community ...................page 5 Agriculture....................page 6 Comics ...........................page 8 Dear Annie ....................page 9 Crosswords....................page 9