Harrington news

Harrington City Council

Wednesday evening Mayor Paul Gilliland opened the city council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Those present included Peter Davenport, Levi Schenk, Mike Cronrath, Rick Becker, Bunny Haugan, Scott McGowan, Ashley Schenk, Sharon Schultz, Dick and Priscilla Derr, Justin Slack, Paul Charlton, Jay Gossett, Marge Womach, Terry and Diane Sanchez, Donita Simons, and Chris Hickman. Alan Gay had requested that the Mayor ask the council to take a straw vote for accepting or rejecting the grant from DOE for the sump pump study, where the city would be responsible for a $29,000 loan over 20 years and a forgivable $29,000 loan. After discussion, the council made motions and voted to approve both portions of the loan, rather than taking the straw vote. The Derrs inquired as to the quantity of water that was generated by the sump pumps, and the Mayor repeated Alan Gay’s comments from the last council meeting: “The purpose of the study is to determine the amount of water generated by the sump pumps and its effect in the sewer treatment plant.”

The 6-year Street Plan mandated by the state was described by Rick Becker as “a wish list if funds were available.” This plan will be from 2016-2021. Becker spent several weeks working on the plan and made copies of his suggestions for the mayor and council members. The patch job that was done near the elevator early this year might hold and last 4-5 years and was not part of a 6-year plan. To surface three blocks, the cost was estimated at $850,000. Payment of prevailing wages and meeting all state requirements is included in the plans.

Terry and Diana Sanchez own the vacant Bethel mansion property, with frontage on First Street. There is a storage building on the lower end of the lot which is 28 x 40 feet, called the Hamilton building. When Hamilton had it built, he wanted it for a wood-working shop. Sanchez said the roof needs to be replaced with a 30-ft truss. He brought diagrams to the meeting and presented them to the council. Sanchez will need a variance to raise the height of the roof. Scott McGowan had viewed the structure prior to the meeting.

Revitalization plan

The Harrington Historic Preservation Commission received the draft of the 2000-Plus Harrington Revitalization Plan from Studio Cascade, and Celeste Miller brought the draft to the council members to review before the next council meeting, when they can vote to accept or reject the plan.

Marijuana

Much interest in the meeting was shown regarding “unlicensed marijuana growth” within the city limits. Locations were mentioned as well as knowledge of children living in one of the houses where the illegal activity is taking place. Sheriff Wade Majors informed the city this past week that he is watching the activity and that several deputies are checking frequently, and have been for several months. The citizenry expressed dissatisfaction with the complacency of law enforcement and failure to enforce the laws.

Neglected properties

More complaints were voiced regarding the fire hazard of dried weeds, brush, trees and pine needles on some properties, and the city clerk assured the meeting that notices had been sent out. The residents have 10 days to respond to the abatement notices. It is clear that some of the citizenry does not want the city to be hampered by the legal application of the law if such application allows them continue to look at what they perceive to be a fire hazard. Council members are not willing to violate the legal process. This has resulted in some viewing the lack of aggressive activity by the city as complacency.

Beer Garden

The Harrington Chamber of Commerce had attempted to arrange to have a Beer Garden in the city park for the Harrington Fall Festival but has now canceled those plans for this year. The primary objection was that they wanted it held on city property. Objections voiced in town were that the Fall Festival is a family event coordinated with high school reunions, and that the festival is successful without placing children in an atmosphere where alcohol is served. The Chamber had asserted that it would be a good money-making venture. No comment was made regarding the Chamber having an alternate money-making activity. The meeting adjourned just after 9 p.m.