By MELINDA J. OVERSTREET
for Glasgow News 1
Topics ranging from mosquitoes to street lights were among those discussed Monday at the Glasgow Common Council Infrastructure Committee.
It was Jim McGowan’s first meeting as public works superintendent – a role he’s been in for one week — so the discussion was mostly led April Russell, who had been serving as interim superintendent.
During the meeting, committee member and Councilwoman Marna Kirkpatrick brought up several items of concern that she had seen posted on a social media site. In most cases, additional information was needed, the issue was under another government entity’s jurisdiction and/or it was determined there was an existing specific reason behind the way things were, although some of those reasons involved a lack of funding, which prompted discussion of grant processes. Some follow-up actions were planned regarding the issue of trash carts’ not being retrieved from sidewalks in a timely manner after trash pickup, particularly as some of the concerns Kirkpatrick was relaying involved the fact that the bins impede the paths of those trying to traverse the walkways via wheelchairs and scooters.
Of the litany of concerns, all but maybe one had not been brought to the attention of Department of Public Works staff members directly by the affected residents. Russell said multiple times as that discussion went along – and McGowan reiterated later – that residents with concerns need to be directed to call the DPW office so the appropriate questions can be asked to determine the exact situation or they can get answers from someone with more knowledge of the issue.
Russell announced that the Department of Public Works had sprayed around the entire city two weeks ago for mosquito abatement, but a lot of people thought they hadn’t. She said the truck used for the task now does not have the buzzing sound like the old one.
She said the chemicals used are supposed to work three to four weeks, so another round of spraying would probably be started by next week.
Sign World, which has moved its location next door to where it was along Rogers Road, requested that a street light be installed along there because there had been some trouble with trespassers, Russell reported. She said that area is frequently used as a cut-through.
“It’s pitch black over there,” she said.
She distributed a diagram provided by the Glasgow Electric Plant Board of the proposed location, across the street from 105 Rogers Road, for a 100-watt-equivalent LED fixture. The estimated initial cost of the installation is $1,373.60, and annual costs for the energy, maintenance, etc. are estimated at $158.40. The new light was approved by the committee unanimously.
Russell also updated the group on an effort to get street lights installed along Prestwick Drive that has taken several months. The lights were approved, but it turned out a water line ran along the intended locations. After consultation with and among the utilities involved, it was determined there was not enough room between the street and the property fence, so the project is having to be redesigned.
Work on getting drainage easements from property owners affected negatively by stormwater runoff around Village Circle has begun so work can be done to improve the situation there, Russell said, noting that the project was among those listed in a stormwater master plan created several years ago.
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