Group wants second storm siren

Bonne Terre committee says it is necessary to protect citizens

By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer

BONNE TERRE — The city’s Community Betterment Committee wants a second storm warning siren for the city.

Janet Barton, a member of the committee, said over the past few years, residents have given $3,629 to the Signal Our Safety (SOS) fund. Residents have contributed to the fund by adding a dollar or two to their water bill.

Barton believes a siren would cost about $5,000. The second siren wouldn’t be as elaborate as the first one, which was installed in 2004 on Division Street near St. Joseph Catholic Church. It would not be voice-activated but it will be a revolving siren.

She believes a second siren is needed because residents of the Lakewood area complain they don’t hear Bonne Terre’s sirens. Some do hear Desloge’s sirens.

“I feel like it’s necessary to protect our citizens,” said Barton who was active in getting the first siren.

The new siren likely would be placed between Summit and Cherry so the siren would carry to the Hillcrest subdivision and the new elementary school.

One option is to apply for a grant similar to the USDA grant they received for the first one. But Barton hopes people will continue to contribute to the SOS fund.

“If we could encourage citizens once again to give $1 on their water bill (over the next one to three months), we could take care of this,” she said. “It wouldn’t necessitate the work that goes into a grant and we could immediately purchase it. And the committee could work on other things we need.”

For more information about the fund, call city hall at 573-358-2254.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.

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