News Around Town - November 6, 2010

Escalante City Council met on Wednesday, November 3, 2010. The meeting began with enthusiastic “thank yous” from citizens who were pleased with the recent maintenance of city lighting. The light at the front of the city office building was rehabilitated and old light bulbs were replaced on Main Street. City Council thanked the employees and Lenza Wilson for the recent work on various projects.

Planning & Zoning announced that next Tuesday Justin Fisher will attend its meeting to help complete the new set of ordinances providing advice on the legalities surrounding subdivisions. A conditional use permit was authorized in order to allow visiting family members to use water in, and install temporary skirting around, a recreational vehicle that is driven to Escalante seasonally. A business license was granted, as was a building permit for a garage. Lori Coleman was designated as the new alternate for the Planning and Zoning committee.

Among the scheduled items on the agenda, water rights with the New Escalante Irrigation district, airport business and Fire Department sign were all tabled due to absence of key persons or need for additional information. The city will no longer offer online billing to water customers and has sent letters to those who have previously used this service. The service is no longer cost-effective. Clarification of the city’s obligation to maintain the planting on Main Street has been clarified. A city worker will contact a potential source for the use of an air compressor in order to clear the drip irrigation system. The annual city Christmas party was discussed.

Mayor Taylor described a number of community issues that need to be addressed. Citizens who need to report a concern, particularly a nuisance issue such as barking dogs, should contact Police Dispatch at 676-1134. If an individual is experiencing an emergency, then 911 should be called. 911 should be used for emergencies only. (Ed. Note by Jean Bramble: Some communities levy fines for non-emergency use of 911. Abuse of 911 has the potential to invite fines, and therefore, more intrusive government, into our independent lives!) Calls to dispatch are automatically compiled as important data that helps determine deployment of police personnel around the county. On another subject, Mayor Taylor emphasized that, contrary to current rumor, he has not spent, nor has he authorized, $6000 for windows on the new fire station doors. Donny Porter discussed the $600 that is presently in a donation fund for the Fire Department. A vacuum cleaner is needed for the building. Taylor and Porter will review this operating expense in the near future, making the suggestion that the vacuum may not need to come from donated funds. Future discussions at City Council and in more informal situations are expected to center around growth in Escalante. A consideration of decreasing impact fees and attracting young families is anticipated. Finally, Mr. Taylor expressed gratitude to those who have been helping with the recent difficulties with the sewer system (see below).

Volunteers are needed to put up Christmas lights in the city. Melani Torgersen and others announced that volunteers are needed to place lights along a designated portion of Main Street. In addition, the city is requesting that each business decorate for the holidays.

Sewage and the City: A ten- to fifteen-yard-long grease plug was found in the city sewer lines. According to Blaine Porter, city employee, without the recently purchased sewer tool, the plug would have remained fixed in position. The mess caused by the plug unpleasantly affected South Central Communications. A number of citizens and council members engaged with one another and the mayor regarding this repeated difficulty. A suggestion was made to pour a grease-eating chemical into the sewer system. Some citizens voiced concerns regarding the use of potentially toxic chemicals and possible impact on animals. The city may consider use of the sewer camera to ascertain the source(s) of the grease. Once determined, a hefty fine could be levied. All establishments that cook and serve the public are required by law to have grease filters. The city is legally liable for any untoward effects from dangerous sewer build-up (Ed. Note by Jean Bramble: Think: methane explosion, disease). Used grease is to be put in containers and disposed of in those containers. Commercially used grease is to be put in special containers. The toxic waste specialist who services Ruby’s Inn has signaled willingness to come to Escalante and pick up locally generated commercial grease on the same trips. His name is available from the city: 826-4644.

Daylight Savings Time Ends this Saturday night. Clocks should be turned-back one hour. (Fall back!)

From the Mayor’s Desk: it seems to me that we didn’t have a summer; it came and went so quickly. Now we are into fall and our Thanksgiving time. Before you know it winter will be upon us! The work on the reservoir is moving along, our airport is being paved at this very moment. We planted lawn at our park and things are looking good there. What’s next? Have you ever thought about starting some community education classes for the winter? Maybe we could have some around the world cooking classes, or cake decorating, music, woodshop, or maybe even woodcarving, or a painting class or two. The sky is the limit. We have a lot of talent in this little community! Now what else can we do as a community? We need to look for job opportunities; we need to get our support behind our sawmill. What about an assisted living center? I’m sure many of you have some GREAT ideas; don’t be afraid to share them with our city council and me. You never know where the next idea will come from. I appreciate all of you, and all that you are doing. Let’s work together to make Escalante the Best Community ever. Remember Escalante is a great place to live.