Published: June 29, 2009 05:04 pm      

Pleasant Hill Ramblings

The Pleasant Hill Town Council held its adjourned June meeting Monday afternoon, June 22, in town hall. Mayor Olds called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. The mayor, vice mayor Al Dwenger, Robert Savage and Lisa Patrick responded to roll call. Following the usual moment of reflection, the minutes of the May council meeting were approved.

Lisa Patrick expressed some dissatisfaction over the revised road change at the intersection of Main St. and Hwy. 70. This will be looked into later, probably at the July council meeting. There has been a serious need to correct traffic flow at this intersection for some time to ensure more safety for cars and pedestrians.

Mayor's communications:

Item 1—The Historical Society of Pleasant Hill sent Mayor Olds a letter of appreciation, addressed to the council, for the contribution of $300 in support of the Pleasant Hill anniversary picnic planned for July 25. This celebration will be held at the Pleasant Hill Community House.

Item 2—Mayor Olds received another letter recently inviting him to the initial meeting of the Cumberland County Community Leadership Team. The meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at 8 a.m. at Cumberland County Archives at 96 E. St.

Mayor Olds said he is not at the moment sure what problems and issues the new group is intended to address, but the letter speaks of performing an assessment of Cumberland County's broadbrand infrastructure and support applications.

Because the group's focus seems to be the enhancement of computerized communication and data storage, the mayor has asked Lisa to represent our town at this meeting (no doubt Lisa will be able to clarify the problems and issues this new group plans to take up).

Item 3—Mayor Olds has a letter from Warren Nevad, our MTAS consultant, relative to the three-star program. The current goal of this program is to have all elected officials attend levels 1 and 2 of the Elected Officials Academy.

To facilitate that, MTAS has arranged to present the eight subjects covered under level 2 in four four-hour evening presentations at the Livingston Town Hall. The dates are June 28, July 1, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. The hours each day from 5 to 9 p.m. Two subjects will be covered at each session.

The subjects? Police review, fire review, water and wastewater operations, personnel, legislative process, parks and recreation, public works and council at work.

To get credit for the course, you will be required to attend all sessions. If you are willing and able to attend, let Mayor Olds know.

Council reports

1. Education: Lisa Patrick said school is out for this summer.

2. Recycling and security: No reports were given.

3. Streets and maintenance: Robert Savage had no particular report.

4. Building inspector: Roger Willier was not present so there was a limited report. The water treatment operation sprinkler system did not pass inspection. The new nursing home is progressing on Lake and Main streets. The need for this is very great.

Old business

There was a second reading of Ordinance 09-03—"an ordinance adopting a town budget for the year ending June 30, 2010, amending the budget for the year ending June 30, 2009." It was moved and seconded to pass this budget.

New business

Money from LGIP Savings Account needs to be transferred into the general fund to pay upcoming bills. The street fund needs about $2,000. Another item: move $12,000 for bills that will be coming in the next several months. Financial needs are in pretty good condition. Money from the checking account (about $10,500) during the next couple of months.

The meeting adjourned at 1:57 p.m.

Dottie Hastie dies

Residents of Heritage Rd. and Heritage Loop are feeling sad because of the recent death of Dottie Hastie following severe illness. Dottie had been ill for some time.

Apologies

Again, I apologize for not reporting the passing of several Pleasant Hill residents. Somewhat frequently residents of Uplands residential areas, Fletcher House and Wharton pass on with no recognition. This is true for Pleasant Hill.

It is not that I ignore them. It is just that I am not aware of them or don't know their names. I do want to recognize them when they pass away, no matter how long they have been here. I now want to pass along simple words of recognition to their loved ones.