Mike's Memos

October 24

Fall is here,Winter can't be far behind.

Lehigh was in the news again with the disappearance and subsequent return of Tara Simhizer. We are glad that situation turned out well.

It is a reminder that even though Lehigh and Hillsboro are very safe places to live,we cannot let down are guard in reguards to the children. I sometimes wonder at the small size of our local children out running around loose.

Clean up day October 27. Please see the flyers at the Post Office and City for what can be set out. We are not getting a dumpster due to expense.

WALDECK SCHOOL REUION

The reunion was Oct 3 and 53 alumni attended. I didn't get talk to the folks but heard they had a great time.

This school was located at 240th and Chisolm Rd. If I remember correctly it was closed in 1958. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong'

Sometime in October or early Novemeber willl have a work day to refurbish the christmas decorations. They need to be rewired with new light strings and some decrative materials.

Funds are available for the parts and pieces but a few volunteers for an afternoon would make the job go much quicker.We will post a notice at the city building and the Post Office when we schedule the work day.  

I want to thank our new councilman and his wife for all the hardwork they did cleaning up the park and assemblying the new picnic tables and benches. So far they are all piled up at the big park but they will be moved around to other locations soon.

ACCESS TO THE LIMB DUMP.

Contact John Masson for the key. Due to the theft of numerous locks and keys, we have decided to limit key access.Sorry for any inconvience.

If anyone has any complaints about the streets, please don't pick on our maintenance man. Bring your concerns to myself or the City Council. We will address all citizen concerns and convey those concerns to our staff members.

Projects for 2009-2010

Completion of Sewer Improvement project. Utiilty Service caused a few problems while they were flushing and running the sewer cams.. They were supposed to hang door tags and did not. Next we will be digging up some areas of the sewer for repairs and then the liners will be installed. Door tags will be hung this time.

We have a contractor to do the point repair but delays in bidding and more delays in getting the KDHE to approve this part of the project will probably mean the project will not be completed in 2009. Unfortunately that will mean we will have to pay 5 to 10 thousand dollars for another audit in 2010. This is what happens when we are required to use federal money for projects.

Tree trimming and removal on city property and in alleys. We could use some help in the alleys, We need to trim back trees and bushes and move anything obstructing access. We have the sewer liner company coming soon and they will need access, In addition we need the alleys open for fire and utility access. If residents could do their own trimming it would be helpful. After the sewer work is done we may try to salvage some more rock off the railroad right of way and rock the alleys for better access.

Beginning engineering and starting grant applications for improvements to the water system.

Finishing drainage ditch project. We made lots of progress while AGCO was shut down. Our contractor was off and worked for us for 3 weeks. Still a lot of drainage work to do. I know most of it doenst show,ditch work and they rebuilt the culvert on west main but it will make a real difference when it rains.

We did some small patching and added some crack filler to the pavement on Main St. The street needs to be chip sealed or repaved but the bids have been very high.

Opening Kansas street across the old Railroad switch yard. We have reconsidered this project and most likely will not be doing it.

Continuing training and inprovement to the fire dept.

Addition of lighting in the big park pavillion.

Adding a smooth concrete surface to the old school floor in the big park for a multi-use area. In addition I would like to explore the possiblities of applying for a grant to build a community building in that location.

A simple steel building with bathrooms and Kitchen for family and city functions. Anyone have any ideas,suggestions, willing to help with grant writing or labor? Let me know what you think.

Mike