Emery Town Council held a public hearing on the issuance of bonds for their new fire station. The bond is for $100,000 which is a zero percent interest loan from the community impact board. Emery Town will have 30 years to pay back the bond. The public hearing is required by law.
One Emery resident spoke to the matter. He advised Emery Town Council not to get into debt because, “Going into debt is one of the worst things, I believe, which we can lead our little town into at this time. It constitutes a deep disservice to the constituents who have elected the mayor and council to preserve and protect their homes. Indebtedness places every home in our town squarely in the way of economic harm.”
Council person Eric Anderson said the old fire station is falling down and Emery Town is in need of a new fire station.
Council person Corrine Dalton said she was recently in a wreck and she appreciates the EMT services the town has and a fire station is needed for the protection of town members and their homes. The EMTs and ambulance service is needed to help keep the families of Emery safe. Dalton said she doesn’t believe the bond will be a hardship on the town.
The bond is at zero percent which makes a big difference and monthly payments will cost the town $228 a month.
It was mentioned that Emery Town went into debt to provide the sewer and water services now available to town residents. “To go in debt to build a fire station is worthwhile,” said city employees, “The bills we pay now for propane to heat the old building will go away with the new building. If we don’t construct a new building then we could lose these services. The ambulance needs a warm building to be housed. If we can’t have the facilities to take care of the fire trucks and the ambulance then the county will take the ambulance back.”
The town pays $7,000 a year for heat for the old building. It isn’t known what the heating costs will be on the new building. The ambulance needs to be kept at 70 degrees and the fire trucks must be kept above freezing. In the new building the ambulance will have its own space which will be kept heated and the fire trucks will be kept at a lower temperature to save on heating costs.
Right now with the old building the entire building is heated.
Mayor Mistie Christiansen said the issue has been addressed for the past year and the majority of the town’s residents are in favor of the new fire station.
The original building has been scaled down from original plans. The payments do not begin for two years and in the interim time, payments will be put into a savings account set up for this purpose. “This is not a frivolous expenditure, but we appreciate your point of view” said the mayor.
The council voted to approve the bond and it passed. Bids will be accepted for the fire station/town hall project until 1 p.m. on June 4 at which time the bids will be opened. A pre-bid conference will be held on May 27 at 1 p.m. at the Emery Town Hall.
The town council took care of other city business. Dalton reported on the group home ordinance.
She said if there aren’t any changes then the ordinance should be adopted into the developmental code after a public hearing which will be in the next meeting in June.
She is still working with residents to ensure they have the proper building permits for their projects. She reported they are still looking for volunteers to be part of the planning and zoning commission. The council elected to forgive an overage on a water bill where a leak went undetected during the months the city doesn’t read the meters. If it happens again it will not be forgiven a second time. The resident has fixed the leak.
The rocks are being engraved at Bunderson’s for the beautification project and the town had a clean-up where a lot was accomplished. The young men and young women of the town will be awarded a prize for the most work done. The planters along Main Street are almost ready to plant.
For the historical committee, Alisha is still looking for historic pictures to put in the calendar to sell at the 24th of July celebration. Gary Jensen reported the passing lane is back on the list for UDOT. This lane will extend from the Consol Road to the top of the hill.
Mayor Christiansen passed out a tentative budget for 2010 and asked everyone to review it and bring back comments to the next meeting.
The council approved a $25 donation to the Miss Emery pageant to be held on July 11.
It was mentioned the savings account for the repayment of the fire station bond must be listed as a line item on the new budget.
The town has an insurance policy where the statement of values must be prepared. The town hall will be added to this policy along with the roadshop and all its supplies and equipment.
Mayor Christiansen said the town council would like to hold a ground breaking ceremony the end of June for the fire station. The time and date will be announced at a later time.
The youth council went on a hike for an activity and they will visit the pool the first week of June. Their July activity will be planning and hosting the dance for the July 24 celebration.
Mayor Christiansen told the council of the public lands council meeting decision where they will gather public input this month and be prepared to vote on whether Emery County should start the process for a public lands use bill.
The bill could be patterned after the Washington County lands bill which recently passed Congress. She said the bill could include some wilderness. She wants the people to become involved and voice their opinions. “Get educated on what’s happening,” encouraged the mayor.
Emery is still having trouble with dogs that are running the streets unlicensed. The city can charge a fine of $10 if dogs aren’t licensed. Residents are encouraged to license their dogs.
New concrete will be poured for a basketball court to replace the one which was sacrificed for the new fire station.
The town will advertise for someone to do mowing for the city. You must be 18 years of age to work for the city. The next council meeting will be on June 9 at 6 p.m.
Emery Town holds public hearing on bond for fire station
"On Friday May 15, Emery Town asked for volunteers to help pour the concrete for the new ball courts being constructed in town. More than 30 men showed up with shovels in hand and mud boots ready for action. Ken Christiansen, town employee, had prepared the site on the ball park block just north of Main Street. The old ball courts will have to be removed to make way for the construction of the new town hall/firestation. "One only has to witness an event in Emery Town to still have faith in mankind," said Mayor Mistie Christiansen."