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HomeMy Public PortalAboutDecember 2001COMMISSIONERS WILLIAM E KOCH, JR. Mayor JOAN K. ORTHWEIN, Vice Mayor FRED B. DEVITT III ROBERT W. HOPKINS II WILLIAM A LYNCH I UwN OF UULF JTREAM PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA DECEMBER 2001 COMMUNITY UPDATES Dear Town Residents, Following are several updates on issues of importance in your community. Telephone (561)276-5116 Fax (561) 737-0188 Town Manager WILLIAM H. THRASHER Town Clerk RITA L. TAYLOR Tax Rate Held Steady On September 24, 2001, the Town Commission adopted a Town budget and millage rate for fiscal year 2001/2002. The $1.785 million Town budget maintains the existing millage rate of 3.7853 mills per $1,000 property valuation. Additionally, no water rate increases are proposed for the sixth consecutive year. Drainage Improvement Update ❑ Drainage pipes and catch basins were installed connecting the south end of Gulf Stream Road to the catch basin at 2950 Polo. This connection allows drainage water to outfall from these areas into the Intracoastal. ❑ The cornerstone of our drainage strategy was completed November 30, 2001, with the installation of two submersible pumps in the right-of-way at the intersection of Polo and Old School Road. The utilization of a new generator located at Town Hall will allow pumping during power outages. There will be a necessary learning curve in the effective and efficient operations of these pumps. Flood Zone Information Available at Town Hall The Town of Gulf Stream provides the following information upon request: • Whether a property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as shown on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) of the Town. • Additional flood insurance data, such as the FIRM Zone and the base flood elevation or depth, if shown on the FIRM of the Town. Call 276-5116 or visit Town Hall during normal business hours (9 AM to 4 PM non - holiday weekdays) to obtain this information. On the subject of Flood Zones, it is important to note that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has conducted a flood insurance study and has released preliminary updated flood insurance rate maps. Some of the changes to the maps may increase the minimum flood elevation for homes in portions of Gulf Stream. Copies of the maps and the study are available for viewing at Town Hall. Civic Association Gifts The Gulf Stream Civic Association's generosity continues. During the past year, the association has graciously gifted the following: ❑ Funds toward the purchase of hurricane windows and doors for the Police Station. This will allow our Police Department to direct their attention and skills to urgent demands that preparing for a hurricane necessitates. The Town Commission greatly appreciates this valuable gift. Mayor Koch Honored At the November 9, 2001 Town Commission meeting, our Mayor was honored for his 35 years of outstanding and dedicated leadership given to the Town of Gulf Stream. Kristin Garrison, former Gulf Stream Town Manager, presented a specially inscribed crystal commemorative award to Mayor Koch. A recess from the meeting was taken to enjoy refreshments and to offer Mayor Koch personal congratulations. Special Thanks The Town of Gulf Stream has been the recipient of many hours of dedicated service and photographical skills. Dr. Bruce Foote, one of our residents, has photographed many of the homes in Gulf Stream to be used for our GIS system. GIS is an acronym for Geographic Information System. Our GIS is an ever evolving information and mapping system that will allow the Town to visually track and maintain our water line, storm drainage, permits and other pertinent information. The Old School Road and Wright Way residents have been very patient with the Town Staff and the contractor hired to install the drainage pumps at the intersection of Polo and Old School. Without their cooperation this project would have been more difficult to manage and would have extended the completion date. Pets It is very important for all dog owners to observe the leash law that is enforced in Gulf Stream. Allowing your dog to run free and without a leash can be dangerous to both human and pet life. This is particularly problematic for the pet owner who is observing the leash law and enters into an area where a dog is free from any leash restraints. Please be careful to protect your pet and our neighbors as well. Also, it is again necessary to remind dog owners that it is their responsibility to pick up their pet's waste while exercising and walking their dog. If you have someone else that is responsible for walking your dog, be sure to inform that person that this duty is part of the work. The waste that is not picked up can be a nasty sight as well as being a potential health concern. There is an Ordinance that requires dogs to be leashed and waste to be removed. We are hopeful it will not be necessary to issue citations for violations of this Ordinance. Workers in Town All workers hired to conduct services for your property (employees and deliveries not included) must be registered to do work in the Town. If you are hiring a contractor (for example, to do lawn work or make improvements to your home) please ask them to register at Town Hall if they are not currently on file. Occupational registration is designed to ensure workers are properly licensed and insured, and enhances the safety of our community. As always, please feel free to call Town Hall if you have any questions about these news items or any other Town business. On Behalf of1h Town Co iss'on and Staff, r i ayor tlliamT.K , r. Good Neighbor Reminders Garage Doors- In the interests of crime prevention and neighborhood aesthetics, residents are asked to keep garage doors closed except when used for vehicle access. Paint Color and Exterior Improvements- If you are planning to change the color of your home, or make other external improvements such as a new mailbox, lighting, windows, front door, roofing, landscaping, et cetera, please call Town Hall to learn which design and color regulations may apply. Curbside- Please do not place garbage curbside. In order to maintain our community's appearance, the Town has contracted for pickup at the back door or just outside the garage door. Vegetation Pick-up- Please call BFI direct at 561-278-1717 or your service could be delayed. Irrigation System- Please check your irrigation system to insure that you are not over irrigating. Excessive water irrigation contributes to roadside sogginess and fails to meet our water conservation goals. As a rule of thumb, you should irrigate no more than every third day, and each zone should not run more than 15 minutes.