Grant aids Moran fire department

MORAN — The incorporated fire department of Moran and Marmaton and Osage townships was awarded $2,500 by Monsanto, a multinational and agricultural corporation headquartered in St. Louis.
Curt Drake, a Moran-area farmer, applied for the grant for the local fire department. He and a company representative gave an over-sized check at Monday night’s Moran Council meeting.
Phillip Merkel, Moran mayor and fire chief, said the money would go for equipment upgrades, including light-weight gear.
Bill McAdam admonished council members to find ways to ensure dogs kept outdoors in Moran were well cared for by owners. He pointed to three that live in the north part of town that “are tied up outside” and which he had seen “several times without water. I feel bad for them.”
Chief of Police Shane Smith has talked with many dog owners about their responsibilities, Merkel said, and that he would ask Smith to look into it again.
“Next time the dogs need water, call City Hall,” Councilman Jim Mueller told McAdam.
In another outdoor concern, Merkel said there seemed to be an issue with burn permits, which the city requires for burning leaves and small piles of limbs. “Who is enforcing” the ordinance, he asked.
“People are just ignoring” the requirement to get a permit, said City Clerk Lori Evans, noting that a permit, available at City Hall, was required for any outdoor burning, aside from those deemed recreational, such grilling or a small fire pit.
With Chief of Police Smith absent due to illness, council members put off further discussion of burning to their April 6 meeting. Also absent were council members Jerry Wallis and Chyrll Ginn.

IN OTHER NEWS, council members:
— Voted to purchase pea rock to provide a cushion under playground equipment in the city park. Cost, including delivery, will be about $1,200.
— Scheduled citywide cleanup for June 4-15. A dog tag clinic will be at City Hall on March 21.
—  Mueller encouraged other members to think about where a third community storm shelter might be placed — “something we need to think about.”