By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

A celebration preceded the business at the Monday’s meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.

Mayor Joe Weber and the aldermen recognized Cletus Pruett on his retirement from the Street Department at Monday’s meeting. A reception was held prior to the start of Monday’s meeting, and Weber presented Pruett with a plaque commemorating his 29 years of faithful service to the city. The aldermen had some basic annual “housekeeping” duties to perform at Monday’s meeting:

• Unanimously passed an ordinance setting the city’s sales tax rate for 2011, which will be the same as 2010.
• Unanimously approved an ordinance so that the city compolies with state conflict of interest and ethics regulations.
• Unanimously approved an ordinance concerning city bank accounts.

In addition, aldermen approved two annexations of private property in the city. The adjacent properties in Ward I are owned by Robin Hopkins and W. A. Stogaugh on McCormick Street, who have both requested to be annexed into the city. Public hearings were held on the annexation at the board’s meeting earlier this month. Aldermen unanimously approved the annexation of the property. In other business Monday evening, the board:

• Learned that the City Parks and Recreation Department is preparing to line the banks at the City Fishing Lake with rip rap to discourage muskrats at the lake. City Streets and Sanitation crews are assisting with moving the rock to the lake.
• Approved the liquor application for the business He’s Not Here at 23 N. Locust Street for 5% beer/14% wine by the drink.
• Ratified Mayor Weber’s appointment of Ward II Alderman Tim Aslin to the Police Committee.

Photo Above: Cletus Pruett (right)is honored by Mayor Joe Weber on 29 years of faithful service to the city as a member of the City Street Department at Monday's meeting of the board of aldermen.