Harrington news

On October 12, the Harrington City Council was called to order by Mayor Dillon Haas. Four councilmen were present, Peter Davenport, Levi Schenk, Mike Cronrath and Justin Slack, along with clerk Bunny Haugan and maintenance supervisor Scott McGowan. In addition, the following attended: Colt Sanford (history class student), Paul Gilliland, Paul Charlton and Marge Womach. The Public Hearing on Revenue sources for 2017 was opened.

Davenport, who had attended a FEMA workshop, distributed a hand-out and summary from it; he also made available two DVDs containing the material presented at the workshop. The City of Harrington belongs to the FEMA organization.

The Maintenance Report was given by the mayor and McGowan which included the following topics: a water leak had been fixed at the school, the leak in the Vactor truck has been corrected, work has been started on the snow plow truck, winterizing of the sprinkler systems will be done and new sewer hook-ups will be installed by two residents.

Discussion was held on the sewer budget and the payments that will be made before the end of the year. The second repayment of $25,750 on the loan from the Cemetery Endowment to the Sewer Fund in December and a loan payment to USDA of $16,366 is due in November.

The outdated Building Permit Fee schedule was replaced in the form of a Resolution (203-2016) which the council accepted with a 4-0 vote. This will be effective November 1, 2016.

Following the open meeting last week regarding the street project on Second Street, Mayor Haas reported that he was successful in getting the needed information from Gloria Bennett of the Transportation Improvement Board. She had stated that rock could be used in the swales. Discussion was held regarding alternatives to the swale design as presented at the open meeting. Cost estimates will be made.

Marijuana dispensaries were discussed and the council was given information from AWC to review. There is a mandatory 1,000-foot buffer zone around those places where children are apt to congregate, such as schools, parks and libraries. Since Harrington has the triangle park at the north entrance to town, the library in the middle of Third Street, a small park at the south end of Third Street, and the library and city park on the east end of town, there is little space in a business district where it might be legal to have a dispensary. The mayor will walk off the distances for more accurate information.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to request support for the 3/10 of one percent sales tax ballot proposal. Councilman Davenport was interested in the specifics as to where the revenue would be split and used, how much would actually go for the hiring of new deputies.

Eleven revenue sources were listed for the 2017 budget: Increase in cemetery charges, new building permit fee increase, dog licenses enforcement, property tax, state revenue for city assistance, state revenue from liquor profits and taxes, usage of Memorial Hall, state revenue from multi-modal tax, gas tax revenue, public safety dollars that hinge on the county vote for the increased sales tax and a potential increase in utility revenue from housing sales and increased occupancy of vacant houses. The mayor said he would be working on the budget at the city hall on October 15 from 1 to 10 p.m. The public hearing closed at 10 p.m. The public hearing for the preliminary budget and setting the property tax levy was scheduled for November 9, 2016 at the regular council meeting.

City council approved the librarian signing an intergovernmental agreement with the state on the use of the Koha library system which poses no charges to the city. Currently the library board has suggested changing to the Follet system used at the public school. They and the mayor thought that the Follet system at both libraries would promote community use of both libraries. The Follet system would cost approximately $1,000 if the city library were to use it. The library budget for 2017 will be considered.

A brief discussion was had pertaining to a concern expressed regarding the town’s emergency plan if there were a derailment with coal or fuel cars on the railroad cars as they pass through town. It was recommended that plans that are in place be reviewed. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Hymn Sing was held October 16 at 3 p.m. at the Rocklyn Zion United Methodist Church near Harrington with a nearly full church. Cheryl Mielke Beymer played the piano beginning with a beautiful prelude and for most of the songs for the event. Pastor Michelle Mitchell opened with introductions and prayer. “America The Beautiful” was the first number, a solo by Beymer. Terry Battermann sang and performed a hymn medley on his guitar and encouraged the congregation to join him with “Tenderly,” “It Is No Secret” and “Life’s Railway to Heaven.” A trio consisting of Janice Kruger, Sharon Kruger and Sarah Donaldson sang “When Peace Like a River” and several other harmonizing selections, a cappella.

Roberta Hein was announced to lead the “children’s” chorus, and some in the audience kept waiting for the little ones to rise and meet her in the front of the church. Before any little bodies rose, Roberta was encouraging all of God’s children to join in with “Jesus Loves Me,” “The Wise Man Built His House,” and “Climb Up Sunshine Mountain.” These were all choruses with gestures which encouraged great participation. For perhaps more than an hour there was a “Hymn Pick Time” where members of the congregation would call out the numbers from the hymnal and Janice Kruger and Robert Mielke would lead and Beyer would play with great enthusiasm. Some of these numbers included “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” “In The Garden,” “He Lives,” “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder,” “In My Heart There Rings A Melody,” “The King Is Coming,” “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Victory In Jesus,” “Yesterday, Today, Forever,” “Open My Eyes That I May See,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “Fill My Cup Lord,” “Rock of Ages,” “Morning Hath Broken,” “Stand Up, Stand Up” and “Amazing Grace.”

People came from all around the county to join in this old time songfest that was offered free of charge with no offering taken. In fact Rev. Dr. Mitchell stated that it has become this small church’s mission to give to the community this special means of worship. Much of the planning and coordinating of this event was due to the enthusiasm of Judy Mielke.

The walls of this church are lined with photos of the founding members and families from the 1883-1905 era. One could not help but think of that familiar verse in Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...” The dedication of these early pioneers left an imprint on their families and neighbors; now generations later the pews were filled and voices sang out those old familiar hymns.