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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMay 2001MAY 2001 COMMUNITY UPDATES Dear Town Residents, Following are several updates on issues of importance to this community. Interim Town Manager On April 11, 2001 the Commission appointed William Thrasher to be the interim Town Manager. Mr. Thrasher was hired as the Town's Finance Director in April of 1996 and was given the Assistant Town Manager responsibility in October of 2000. He has a Master's degree in Business Administration and over 9 years in local government experience. Our Town Manager, Kristin Garrison, has accepted the position of Planning Director for the Palm Beach County School District. Kris was hired in July 1997 and she will be greatly missed. Kris has served the Town well with her extraordinary leadership and management skills. With her oversight and the Town Commission's approval, the Town of Gulf Stream has seen many great accomplishments, including: ❑ Completion of the AIA Historic Highway Landscaping project. More than 500 trees and other plant materials were planted in the Town's two mile AIA right -of way. ❑ Enhancement of that project with coquina -finish ground level signs with bronze lettering at the six public roads that intersect with AIA. ❑ Throughout the Town there have been many new or upgraded drainage systems. ❑ Several roads have been repaved utilizing the County's bulk paving contract. ❑ Resident's Flood Insurance savings as a result of the Town successfully applying for a Community Rating System (CRS) classification. Kris's last day with the Town will be May 11, 2001. We wish her continued success as she begins her new and challenging position with the School District. Call Town Hall if you would like to have her new phone number. Drainage Improvement Update During the past several months there have been improvements to the Town's drainage system and other efforts are ongoing, as summarized below. ❑ The planned new drainage pipes and outfall flap gate along 600 Wright Way were installed in March of this year. ❑ The drainage improvement project involving pumps in the right-of-way at the intersection of Polo and Old School Road has been approved by South Florida Water Management District. This project will be coordinated with the affected residents and scheduled immediately when construction drawings have been completed and a contractor has been selected. This will be one of the largest drainage projects ever attempted by the Town and we apologize in advance for the inconvenience this may cause. The end result will be a much improved drainage system for this section of Town. ❑ The Town Commission has approved the South Town Phase III drainage improvement which includes a new catch basin installed at the southern end of Gulf Stream Road. This catch basin will connect to the previously installed drainage pipe, catch basin and outfall to the Intercoastal Waterway located at the 2900 block of Polo Drive. The estimated starting date for this project is late July. Civic Association Donations and Gifts ❑ Again this year, the Civic Association has generously donated to the Gulf Stream Police Department. They have offered to purchase new, windstorm tested, hurricane protection windows for the Police building. This new technology will no longer require the placement and removal of the hurricane panels. The time and labor that would have been used to do this work will be available to better assist and care for the residents. ❑ Also, the Association will be paying for the Town's staff luncheon with Kristin Garrison. Hurricane Season Begins June 1 By now you should have already begun your preparation for the 2001 hurricane season. Be sure to have plenty of non-perishable foods, bottled water, prescription medicines, flashlights, batteries, transistor radio etc. on hand. Also, thought should be given to arranging for the safe refuge of your boat, an inventory of personal property, pet care, and any special transportation needs. Remember to shut off propane gas tanks, main electrical breakers and sprinkler systems. Use only battery powered lighting. In the event a hurricane approaches our coast, the Town of Gulf Stream will be working very hard to do all that is possible to ensure your safety. 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 business hours (9 AM to 4 PM non -holiday weekdays) to obtain this information Burying of Utility Services 500 Block of Middle Road With the cooperation and financial contributions of the benefited property owners, and with the approval of the Town Commission, a joint venture to bury all of the utility service lines on this block will begin within the next two months. This will be the first time that utility service lines have been buried on an entire block east of the Intracoastal Waterway. As always, please feel free to call Town Hall if you have any questions about these news items or any other Town business. O eh f o the Town Commission and Staff, a or Wi i . K ch,1 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. Dog Regulations- When walking your dog, please be courteous to other residents and pedestrians by taking responsibility for your dog's waste. It is against Town and County Laws not to collect your dog's waste. 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. O Feral Cats- Please do not feed any cats other than your own pets.