Springtown council approves budget, hears reports

— Springtown’s council met Dec. 11 and heard reports on city projects, adopted a 2013 budget and passed a number of ordinances and resolutions.

Mayor Paul Lemke reported that progress is being made on the Springtown Road/Highway 12 intersection work. He said the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission is providing the town with a free watershed map that shows the source of runoff to the intersection. He said the present plan is to divert the runoff to the east, as recommended by the county. He said most of the dirt that has been excavated is not useable for road repair because it is silt. Some of the dirt was taken to the cemetery for use in filling grave sites rather than hauling it off.

Lemke also reported runoff water coming down the hill toward the town hall from the top of Wasson Road is cutting a trench alongside the concrete instead of running on top of the concrete. He is following up on what needs to be done to correct the problem.

Lemke said Jay Stallard, grants administrator with the Economic Development District, and Don Johnston, the town's engineer, will have a meeting to make plans for submitting a Community Development Block Grant for road and street improvements in the town.

Chuck Guess reported two large trees toward the top of Springtown Road which are leaning precariously toward the road. Lemke said he would have Tim Richardson take them down.

Under unfinished business, the town passed themayor’s proposed budget for 2013.

Lemke reported that a check for $2,500 has been sent from Benton County to the man who will set up the interface between the radio signal and the sirens. The installer will need to check the sirens to be sure they are operable before having Milford Crane Service come put them up. The siren work is planned for after the first of the new year.

Amanda Richardson said Cassie Elliott advised her the town should know after the first of the year whether it will receive the grant for city park improvements.

Lemke said he is still following up with ER Assist on the FEMA moneys the town received for the Aubrey Long Bridge project.

An amendment was passed to the General Fund Budget to accommodate expenditures exceeding the expected $27,167 due to the $13,500 that was authorized by the council to be transferred from the General Fund to the Street Fund for road work.

An Arkansas Energy Code Ordinance was passed on three readings with a single vote and with an emergency clause to comply with state law.

The council also passed a resolution for the town to enter into a service agreement with the new Benton CountyHazardous Materials Incident Response Team at a cost of 38 cents per capita.

Lemke reported that he and Jeff Parks, of the Highfill Fire Dept., will be making a recount of the residences and businesses within the town's city limits to be covered under the fire dues the town pays. Lemke asked the council for its input as to what structures should be covered. The council agreed that any structure that was livable or usable should be included in the count. A resolution to this effect will be presented at the next council meeting.

Lemke stated that participating in the Benton County Imagery Project would cost the town $440 for next year and asked the council's opinion as to whether it wanted tocontinue to participate in this project. After some discussion, a motion wasmade and passed not to participate.

The previous accountwas compiled from draft minutes of the regular December meeting.

News, Pages 8 on 12/19/2012