Mike's Memos

November 19 2008

Christmas

We are installing the Chrismas lights this weekend. Sat the 22nd. Volunteers would be welcome. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this year and we can make the decorating project happen. After we get the decrorations hung we are planning on taking some or all of the cable tv wires down, depending on how much help shows up. Nothing happens without community involvement.

Contact Me at home at 483-4141 or meet me at the Coop about 9.30 Sat morning.We'll bum some coffee and I might even produce some dougnuts.I have been asked it we are having a lighting ceremony. Nothing is planned at this time. Everyone is too busy. Parks and Rec is plannig a Christmas party so that may be the ceremony. More details as they develop.

I HAVE THIS IDEA OF PULLING LEHIGH TOGETHER AGAIN AS A COMMUNITIY. IT IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE A CHURCH,CAFE OR ANY REGULAR PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO GET AQUAINTED. THE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT LEAST BROUGHT LOTS OF PEOPLE YOUNG AND OLD TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE. THEY ALL SAT IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE YARD BUT AT LEAST IT WAS THE SAME YARD. I THINK THAT , THE FIRE CREW,PRIDE,PARKS AND REC AND JUST HAVING PICNICS AND GET TOGETHERS WILL GO ALONG WAY TO HAVING A BETTER COMMUNITY. Since I have become Mayor I often hear two things, "No one wants to do anything" and "I just don't know anyone here anymore."

The first statement is NOT true, Most Lehigh residents want to help. If we can get everyone better aquainted and working together we can do alot.

The second is true.Lehigh has had many new people move in,especially young families, and it takes a little effort to get to know each other in our busy world. Nothing worth while comes without at least a little effort.

SEWER PROJECT Update. At this time the work at the sewer ponds is virtually finished. We havent rebid the collection work here in town yet. Our engineer and administrator have been finishing other projects but the should take place soon.

Fire Department. We have acquired a set of hydralic rescue gear.This equipment is used for extraction of victims from car wrecks and house collapse, etc. The Lincolnville Firechief has been training our firefighters how to correctly use it and they have been gathering the associated gear to go with it.

Remember: The efforts of the Fire Department have gotten our ISO rating changed from a 10 to a 9. Check with your homeowners insurance agent. It should make a difference in your fire insurance. I lowered my personal insurance 220 dollars this year. Say thanks to the fire fighers when you see them. The put in lots of volunteer hours to train and maintain the equipement to acheive the new rating. New volunteers are always welcome. Contact Brian Unrah-Firechief.

Parks-Our parks projects have dragged a little.It seem like eveyone is very busy and some of the volunteer projects have suffered from lack of manpower.

Trees- we have done some tree trimming but no removals yet. If any residents are looking for firewood to cut contact me.We have some elm trees that you may cut. You will be required to clean up after yourself.

Ditch Work- Finally we have made some progress on getting the drainage ditchs cleaned and rebulit here i n town. John Masson as street councilman has supervised this project for the last several months.Thane Meier has been using his excavator and Dave Malin has supplied his bobcat loader.They are charging us a very resonable rate and they are doing a nice job. We are replacing culverts and cleaning ditches. You may have noticed that they are making the back slope of the ditches so they can be mowed. The only place that is not happening is where light poles, hydrants,telephone boxes and trees are in the way. This project will continue through the winter depending on the weather and will continue next spring. Some of ditches will require some fine tuning after a few good rains. We are also spreading grass seed as we go.All three of these guys are doing this project in addition to their regular jobs so it is taking a little time. BUT, they have made more progress on ditches in 2 or 3 months than has been done in the last 20 years. We are also putting rock in driveways between the street and sidewalk as we have time.

Parks and Rec-Rose Funk and her volunteers just finished the Halloween party and are already planning the 'Christmas party. If you want to help or just get more info contact Rose.

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS--PRIDE,Finishing the horseshoe pits in the big park.

Cable TV System. The City did inherit the old cable tv system in town. We have a bucket truck rented for Sat the 22nd, This coming Sat. We will hang the Chrismas decorations first then work on the cable lines. We stil can use some extra guys with ladders. Most of it can be done with ladders and it will go faster. Maybe we can get it all done if enough people show up. Call me at home or just show up Sat mornig about 9.30 at the Coop. We have coffee and get started. If you have a good 20 ft ladder plan on bringing it. I would like any ladder work to be done in pairs, Holding and carrying the ladder would work better and be safer in pairs, We dont want anyone to get hurt.

NEXT TIME

MIKE