Larger fireworks display alters viewing sites

Happy July! I hope everyone enjoys our July 3 celebration, takes some time to relax, and enjoys our great community.

Thank you to all the volunteers that make all our July 3 events possible. Thank you to our Fire Department for the great fireworks and their dedication to do this every year. If you have not heard, there are going to be some larger fireworks this year. Because of this, they will be setting them off from the north side of south pond at Gateway.

Most viewing spots will not be affected, but because of the increase in size, we are required to increase the distance from the public. This means Court Avenue will be closed north of the Legion and Gateway maintenance building, and no one will be allowed on the ponds from 5 p.m. until after the fireworks.

Parking will also not be allowed on Eastern Avenue north of North Street during this time.

That was the good news.

As I have mentioned before we have to upgrade our Wastewater Treatment Facility to meet state and federal regulations. The council accepted bids for the project in June. WRC, Inc. was accepted as the contractor for the Treatment Facility and Miller Excavating, LLC was accepted as the contractor for the Force Main.

The total project cost including construction, engineering, wetland credits, and other expenses is a little more than $7.6 million. After cash on hand and a $500,000 CDBG Grant, the City will have to borrow $5,868,000.00 to fund the project. In order to pay the loan on Wastewater improvements, the Sewer Debt fee is increasing $6 per month. The Sewer Usage fee is also increasing $0.34 this year but will need to increase another $3.16 next year to make the loan payments.

The council chose this option to spread out the increase over the next two years.

Our water usage fee is also increasing 3% or $0.90 to keep up with regular maintenance. All said and done, a monthly utility bill with 2000 gallons of use will cost $111.13 and one with 4000 gallons of use will cost $133.28.

Additional construction notes. Work should be beginning soon on May Street reconstruction between Court Avenue and Marengo Avenue so be prepared for that street closing.

The east water tower is going to be inspected, cleaned, and painted this summer. Utility crews are also installing fiber optics cable starting on the north end of town and working their way south. The pool also passed its final inspection (this had to take place after it was in use).