Harrington news

April 13, Mayor Dillon Haas called the meeting of the Harrington City Council to order with Peter Davenport, Rick Becker, Levi Schenk and Justin Slack (councilmen), Bunny Haugan (clerk), Scott McGowan (maintenance), and Priscilla and Dick Derr, Mark Stedman, Ashley Schenk, Celeste Miller, Mike Stauffer and Marge Womach present.

Lincoln County Commissioner Mark Stedman made a presentation for a proposal to help adequately fund public safety in Lincoln County in which there would be a 3/10 of one percent increase in sales tax (excluding vehicles) provided the county can get support from all of the town and cities in the county. The proposed increase would be directed toward combatting the problem of increased theft and petty larceny which commissioners perceive as being related to drug use in the county. The council was reminded that this was a measure that former Mayor Paul Gilliland advocated to the county commissioners for more than 10 years without being able to get their support. The council voted 4-0 in support of the resolution to proceed in support of the commissioners’ proposal.

Mayor Haas gave the maintenance report which included a short summary of his meeting with the Dept. of Ecology in which corrections were made by the DOE regarding the standards that were set for Harrington which will allow the town to more readily meet expectations. Sewer repairs are to be considered an on-going process, balancing the budget against using “band-aid” repairs. Mention was made that the city’s summer extra help is hired for a short time period which does not allow for leaf management in the fall, so that task falls to the regular city crew.

Celeste Miller, chair of the Harrington Historic Preservation Commission, brought a request from Amy Foley to be accepted to the commission for a three-year term. The council voted 4-0 in favor. Miller then explained that the commission is looking into repairing the pillars at the north end of town on 3rd St. She said they are looking for grants to pay for the project. Their present historic project is to compile a record of the historic buildings in the business district.

The council’s committee on weed conditions stated that the cemetery is in immediate need of dandelion control with a 2-4-D base and that the waste water treatment site could be sprayed with a vinegar-based home brew weed killer to cut down on the expense and use of chemicals.

The mayor reported that 19 citizens were present at the forum on chickens last week and that the two issues were summarized by (1) preference for fresh eggs, fertilizer and bug control and (2) opposition due to the cost of city staffing and issues of smell and noise. Discussion among the council members clearly indicated that if the ordinance were to change to allow chickens, the process would be well-regulated and a permit fee would be required. Schenk offered to work on a proposed re-write of the current ordinance (319). Of the council members present, one was clearly wanting the issue to move forward and three were indifferent to the outcome and had concerns about enforcement and expense. The conclusion at the meeting was that the city was not able presently to allow chickens or make a change in the current ordinance. The issue was tabled for further information collection and discussion.

Complaints were heard about the recycling bins to the effect that people dump items outside the bins or try to stuff items under the bins when they appear full. Winds easily pick up the materials and distribute them down the street and into yards. Haas will scan through the RCWs to determine if there is an allowance for cameras on the area to identify the culprits.

The mayor said difficulties with the dog ordinance were nearly under control. Of the many dogs not licensed, he has obtained cooperation from about 97 percent of the owners. The issue of loose dogs was mentioned, but he stated that this issue was also becoming more under control. He stated that people will rise up to your expectations if you set clear boundaries and expectations. The council members teased the mayor on the amount of time spent on bringing the dog owners into compliance and what his rate of pay for that time was worth.

The mayor reported that he has worked with Avista to reduce the service charges that the city is paying, and to eliminate extra meters that are unnecessary. He will get a full report from Avista by the end of the month.

Round about town

Local landscapers and yard workers are busily working in yards and cleaning debris from the winter season. The mowing of lawns and cultivating of flower beds is seen throughout the town. Pickups are seen hauling downed branches and yard refuse. City officials are commenting about yards that are looking especially nice, as well as making a list of yards that are in violation of city ordinances and yards that appear to be health hazards. Exterior windows are being washed and the street sweeper made its pass cleaning the streets.

Activity continues at the opera house and in spite of a delay by the manufacturer of the elevator of about eight days, the elevator is still on schedule for the building to be ready for Cruizin’ Harrington May 21. One door remains to be stained, and a crew was seen on several occasions this past week painting and varnishing; minimal cleaning has taken place, and excess materials from the construction are being removed from the main areas of the building. A trailer has been commissioned to hold the furniture during the cleaning phase and the furniture will then be cleaned and polished and returned to its place in the opera house. Music continues to drift out of the auditorium as members continue to help the grand piano settle in. Students of Heather Safe continue to use it for their lessons, in preparation for an upcoming recital on May 22. Activity is on the increase at the Hotel Lincoln, and a crew of workers was seen on location Saturday where interior and exterior work was being done.