Springtown receives GIF grant

SPRINGTOWN -- Mayor Paul Lemke, according to unapproved minutes of the town's July 11 council meeting, reported that Springtown has been notified it will receive a $5,000 General Improvement Fund grant through State Senator Bart Hester's office. According to Lemke's report, Springtown will then have $10,000 in GIF grant money that can be used for drainage improvements.

Discussion followed as to where best to put the money to use. A motion was made and approved to use the money to make drainage improvements on Main Street.

Lemke also reported the town received a letter of denial from Arkansas Department of Emergency Management in regard to the town's first appeal regarding returning a portion of Federal Emergency Management Agency funding used for the Aubrey Long bridge project. According to Carla Wasson, the town's attorney, the next step is to initiate a second appeal and she will follow up on the appeal.

Lemke said, due to the number of projects currently being undertaken by Delia Haak and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, Springtown will not receive any assistance with a water park on Flint Creek by the Aubrey Long Road bridge any time soon. The item will be removed from the agenda for the present.

Lemke reported the walking trail has been roughed in by brush hogging and it is ready to be walked and measured. He said Don Johnston would be doing this, probably this week. Town residents Terri Glenn and Jim Mitchell addressed the council regarding the trail. Council members chose to talk with other town residents not present at the meeting and get their input on the walking trail.