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Covering the Valley Since 1982
The Village of Glendale held their monthly Council meeting on Monday, March 2. Mayor Joseph Hubbard began with a Proclamation to the Glendale Centennial Gardners Club for their forming the first Glendale Tree Walk. This walk identifies trees by name tag signs and the walk is noted by directional signs to keep walkers on the trail.
Chris Curtis provided the annual report for the Glendale Youth Sports (GYS) organization. Last year, the GYS had more children participate in sports, twice as many as in 2007. In 2009, the GYS objectives are to continue the participation levels. It is hoped to have a spring/summer sports banquet. Other ideas for 2009 include upgrading facilities at Summit and Washington Parks, strengthen fundraising, upgrade the web site, add more sports or events.
Rhiannon Hoeweler, President of the Harry Whiting Brown (HWB) organization, also gave an annual report. She noted that the group is slightly in the red. The annual appeal for funds were down quite a bit in 2008.
Ms. Hoeweler announced that the big fundraiser for the HWB was the Home Tour that went very well. Highlights for 2008 were the library and the concert series, which they hope to do again as will the Home Tour. The Shakespeare in the Park was a positive event that will be one they will include to do this year. Another positive event was the day they recognized all who worked to clean up the Village after the huge hurricane.
Next on the agenda was the continuation of the appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial to subdivide 125 East Fountain into three lots. Instead, it will be divided into two
Mayor Hubbard noted a question was placed on the web site about whether to improve the tennis courts in Summit Park. They had 38 responses, 25 said no. This item was taken out of the 2009 budget, it could be done next year.
Mayor Hubbard announced that the Village has continued to be a Tree City USA and also received an Arbor Day Foundation Growth Award. This is the 13th consecutive year for Glendale to be a Tree City USA. Mayor Hubbard provided kudos to the Park Board, which is a very small committee who knows what they are doing.
The Village received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Marine Corps for the support of the Toys for Tots program. The box was filled twice.
Mayor Hubbard attended the First Suburbs meeting in February. Jenny Kilgore was voted
to their executive board. At the meeting a thirty-
The Fire Committee’s meeting on February 5 was discussed by Monica Alles-
Walter Cordes brought everyone up to date about the meeting in Wyoming about a fire study into collaboration of the various local fire departments. Mr. Cordes will report back to everyone once he is provided more information.
Fire Chief Dave Moore said the Fire Department received a grant for $15,000 for a skid pump unit. Between January 24 and February 23, the Fire Department/EMS responded to 23 incidents. They averaged seven personnel per run. The department will restart their Wellness Checks in Village Square.
Dr. Aronstein reminded everyone that the Laws, Claims and Miscellaneous Committee met on February 11 where they went over the denial from the Planning Commission regarding the lot split on East Fountain. The committee needs to have a meeting to go over a list of items before them.
Debbie Grueninger spoke about the Police Committee meeting. The discussion was mostly about the budget. There has been a need for increases in the budget for salaries and overtime. Police Chief Dave Warman informed all at the meeting about the idea of splitting the Village into quadrants to help with police patrol and Village safety.
Lieutenant Dave LeCompte provided the Council with Police Department information. The department has focused on watching school zones and the railroad crossings. The police witnessed a number of vehicles drive around the railroad gates, especially at the Sharon Road crossing. The Police Department is looking to the stimulus package to try and get funds.
Ralph Hoop gave the report for the Public Buildings and Historic Preservation Committee. H noted that they met in February about the Smokehouse at 965 Laurel Avenue being a Landmark Structure. Mr. Hoop informed everyone about the old Packard Motor Car that early resident William Cooper Proctor used to drive to work in St. Bernard. The vehicle is now in the Packard Museum in Dayton.
Then Mr. Hoop explained how he was notified by a television company from Oslo, Norway. They are working on a program about Erik Sands who stayed with the Darnell family in Glendale and was trained as a pilot in the United States. Erik died in World War II and is on the War Memorial across from the Fire Department. The television company intends to come to Glendale in May to do some filming for the program. If someone in Glendale knows any information about Erik, please call Mr. Hoop.
In his Recreation and Playgrounds Committee report, Mr. Hoop stated they met in February to review the Village’s parks. If able, they would love to improve Summit and Washington fields. The dog park shows limited support at this time. The Glendale Heritage Preservation’s Pancake Breakfast will be held on March 28. The cost of the delicious breakfast is same as last year.
Streets, Public Improvements and Lights Committee report was provided by Ms. Kilgore. She noted it was a combined meeting with the Utilities Committee in February. It will be difficult to predict the budget regarding fuel costs. It was a tight budget, but the meeting went very well.
Mr. Cordes informed everyone that the Village had a diver investigate the water tower. There are some things that need attention. They estimate that it will cost about $60,000 to $70,000 to drain, sandblast and repaint the tower inside and out. They may undertake the project in a few months.
Carol Muntz stated that the Princeton School District held four meetings in February.
The discussions are intense and are of long-