Bronaugh aldermen set hearing and street repairs
Nevada Daily Mail
"I spoke with Phyllis Sprenkle from Sheldon about their efforts to adopt an abandoned building ordinance," said Bronaugh Mayor Sherry Brown. "There's a lot to it and even with an ordinance it can take three years before a building can finally be demolished."
This began a discussion on whether the focus should be on structures considered to be an eyesore and those considered dangerous.
"The house that caught on fire and burned is what started all this," said alderman Rachel Jones.
"It'll cost money to haul the stuff off plus there'll be an extra cost if there's any asbestos," said alderman Harry Pitts.
"Maybe we should concentrate on what folks see at the entrances to town from the highway," said city treasurer, Ann Loudermilk. "This is their first impression of our town."
"Maybe we should hold a public hearing," said Alderman Terry Fleener, "to get suggestions of what they want done."
This idea was warmly received. A public hearing is set for Tuesday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m. with the aldermen to meet at 7 p.m. Residents will be notified in their next water bill.
Turning to street repairs, Brown said, "We received no bids but I think we have several options. We could do as we did last year, which was buy the cold mix and hire Rick Rider to apply it. But Charlie Williams and a friend are offering to get the mix, apply and roll it for $3,000. In 2015, we spent $2,300 for the cold mix."
"Three thousand dollars ain't bad to get the whole job done," said Pitts. "If we hire those who often make suggestions to us and have them go and provide the services, they might see things differently. Besides, hiring local people helps our economy."
This proposal received unanimous approval.
Loudermilk's treasurer's report detailed several items including an insurance renewal and the fact there are mice in city hall. Water and sewer director, Gary Loudermilk's offer to deal with this was accepted.
"We don't have much extra but we're holding our own and paying down our debts," concluded Loudermilk, "and so, all in all, we're doing pretty well."
Brown reported the exchange of paperwork in the no-cost change order with Sproul's Construction on the aerator and that only a few people need to be encouraged to mow their property.
"Every six years we're required to inspect all the manholes," said water and sewer director Loudermilk. "Since I got those stints put in, I'm not sure I've got the strength to do it myself. They weigh 80 pounds apiece."
Volunteers were identified.
"Every three to five years we're required to inspect the inside of the water tower," said Loudermilk. "We have to lower the water, do a wash-down and if there's any paint gone, it must be repainted. Since we don't have to do it this year, I suggest we wait till next year and when the company we use comes to do the same thing in Milo and Sheldon, they might cut us a deal."
"I hope to keep the lagoon shut down till September," said Loudermilk. "When it's 90 degrees and above, the evaporation offsets the water coming in so we don't have any discharge issues with the Department of Natural Resources. There are some areas around the lagoon where it's too soft to use the mower and so we need to spray to kill some grass. Another thing to promote evaporation is we need to cut down some trees and brush to create a breezeway from the southwest."