[See Election, Page 3]

Beginning April 6, the Trenton Municipal Utilities Water Treatment Plant will begin utilizing free chlorine, or a free chlorine conversion, in its water system. This entails feeding free chlorine, instead of chloramines (chlorine combined with ammonia), as the disinfectant at the leaving the Water Treatment Plant. This will affect customers of Trenton Municipal Utilities, Grundy County PWSD #1, City of Galt and the City of Spickard. Western Sullivan County will be affected if they are using water from TMU. This will occur for 6 to 8 weeks.

Here are some commonly asked questions about free chlorine conversion and its purpose:

• Possible Noticeable

Effects: There are no associated health risks to the process. During these efforts to improve water quality, there will be times of lower water pressure, possible odor, taste, discoloration, and small particles in the water. TMU and/or your water service will attempt to flush the particles, color, and taste and odors from the mains with directional flushing, however there is a possibility that some of the color, odor and tastes will get into your service line.

• Is my Water Safe to Drink? Yes, TMU Water Department is dedicated to making sure the water is safe to drink and will monitor disinfectant levels continually during the conversion. If you experi-

[See TMU, Page 2]

NCMC Board of Trustees Approves Room and Board Rates, Extends President’s

The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesdsay, March 28 and took action on room and board rates for the next academic year as well as the contract extension of President Dr. Lenny Klaver. The board also heard communication reports and took action on Head Start items, bids/purchases, meeting request, sonography tuition fees, tuition reimbursement rates, board policy changes, and personnel items.

In communication reports, new employee Kristi Varner, Grant Writer/Scholarship Coordinator, was introduced, and Alicia Endicott gave an update on the NCMC Foundation events, scholarships, and campaign. Janet Gott, Head Start Director, discussed classroom video reporting and a recent Area 2 focus meeting. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tristan Londre reported on a Surgical Technology program accreditation and upcoming accreditation visits. He also mentioned the recent Ag Contest on campus and allowed Dean of Instruction Dr. Mitch Holder to discuss his recent trip to Tonga and progress with this partnership. Dr. Kristen Alley, Vice President of Student Affairs, highlighted new student registration, a recent A+ Coordinators meeting, and the completion of the HEERF annual report and gave an update on commencement planning. She also gave an update on housing room sign-up and summer housing events. Jennifer Triplett, Chief Information Officer, provided the Trustees an update on website improvements and redesign, the Savannah Campus, and a recent telecommunications audit. President Klaver gave an update on legislative efforts, the state budget and policies, the appointment of the Higher Learning Commissioner, and a funding study. Klaver mentioned the A+ Coordinators meeting and provided information on the number of students that use the A+ program. He updated the Trustees on Shared Governance, campaign visits,

Contract

presentations, conferences, and meetings.

In business items, the Trustees approved the Green Hills Head Start 2023-2024 Policy Council Bi-Laws, the Head Start COLA and quality improvement funding distribution, and the Green Hills Head Start Change of Scope. Trustees also approve several bids and purchases, including furnishings for phase two of the Savannah Campus, a concrete bid for new concrete for the Alexander Student Center parking lot, and the purchase of a CRM system for the Admissions department. Trustees approved a joint meeting request with the NCMC Foundation for May 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Cross Hall. Tuition and fees for the Medical Diagnostic Sonography program for the 2324 academic year were approved, as well as the 2023-2024 Room and Board Rates for the Anchor apartments and Selby and Ellsworth hall and meal plans. Trustees approved a change in the amount for employee tuition reim- bursement from $70 a credit hour to $100 a credit hour. Two board policy changes were approved, with one regarding the purchasing/expenditures and investment policies and the second, regarding the employee/dependent tuition waiver policy.

In personnel items, Trustees approved Head Start resignations from Karrigan Bowling, Cierra May, Kelley Crumpton and Brittany Robbins, and the employment end for Lynda Brosdahl. They also approved the employment of Head Start employee Taffi Robbins as Teacher Aide at Unionville. For NCMC, Trustees approved the resignation of Ron Emberton, Custodian/Maintenance Technician. Trustees also approved for NCMC the transfer of Brandon Mysliwiec to Database Administrator and the transfer of Chris Flowers to Personal Computer Specialist II. They also approved the em-

[See NCMC, Page 2]

Tfp

• From Front Page • total loss and there was some fire damage to a nearby tree and fence. No injuries were reported. Fire-

Tmu

• From Front Page • ence odor or taste in your water, it does not mean it is unsafe to drink. Odors are caused by the free chlorine disinfectant cleansing the system. Nuisance issues will go away as the work is completed.

• Why is this conversion necessary? TMU and their customer departments are tasked with ensuring that the water in all points of their systems are acceptable to their customers.

Over time, minerals, and metals, which are naturally present in the water source, can increase and attach to pipe walls, and release when there are changes in pressure, resulting in dis-

Ncmc

• From Front Page • ployment of Dr. Billi Tiner as Life Science Instructor and Melinda Matter as English Instructor. Galen Johnson was approved for adjunct instruction and Shelbey Henry for clinical instruction. Trustees approved 2023-2024 year salary schedules, salaries, rates, and stipends for faculty, AMP (salaried), and Classified (hourly) employees. The board also extended the contract of

Local

fighters were on scene for forty-one minutes.

Grundy County Rural Fire, Trenton Police Department and Grundy County Ambulance assisted at the scene.

coloration and affecting taste. Other processes such as nitrification and the growth of biofilm can also occur in the water distribution system. The biofilm can cause reduction in the effectiveness of residual disinfectants over time. This free chlorine conversion will help cleanse the pipe walls, reduce the occurrence of nitrification and biofilm, and ensure that we provide quality water for our customers.

If there are questions or concerns, please contact the Water Treatment Plant at 660-359-3211.

Flushing will begin on April 10 west of the railroad tracks by the water treatment plant.

President Dr. Lenny Klaver.

The board went into executive session and then, after the executive session, back into open session and approved the salaries of the President and Vice Presidents and the purchase of the transfer of funds to the NCMC Foundation for the purchase of five lots at 1117, 1113, and 1109 Main Street in Trenton, MO.

The next meeting of the NCMC Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Frey Administrative Center.