Thursday, October 21, 2010

Newsletter November 2010

Village of Mead
Mead Messenger

Volume 7, Issue 11
NOVEMBER 2010

Mead Board of Trustees Meet
The Village of Mead Board of Trustees held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Present were Chair Raver and Trustees Feldhaus and Halbmaier. Absent were Mayfield and Swanson. Also present were Clerk Moline, Utilities/Maintenance Supt. N. Raver and Police Chief Carlson. Guests present were Dalene Selko, John Trouba, Patty Knott, Inez Rodriquez, Colleen Morrissey, Mike Coyle, Shane Mapes and Andrea Elworth.
GUESTS: Colleen Morrissey & Patty Knott expressed concerns of drainage onto their properties.
Dalene Selko reported the purchase of trees and benches at the park by the Mead Days Committee. She also requested replacement of the waterline at 222 W. First St. The waterline replacement was approved.
The board entered a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. John Trouba, SENDD, presented an application for CDBG funds for a Street Study. The total cost of the project would be $30,000.00 with grant dollars being $22,300.00 and village share $7,700.00. He also reported continuing work on the Water Study and housing concerns. The hearing adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
The following action was approved regarding the Street Study: Application to seek DCBG funds of $30,000.00 for the study; Resolution 10-18 authorizing the Chief Elected Official to sign an Application for CDBG Funds; Applicant’s Statement of Assurances and Certifications; Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan; and Citizen’s Participation Plan.
UTILITY/MAINTENANCE REPORT: N. Raver reported issues at the wastewater plant; near completion of the new wellhouse; street repairs; completion of crosswalk painting; receipt of snowplow and listing of old snowplow on Craig’s List. The condition of the concrete sinking along Eighth St. at the southwest entry into Mead was discussed. A request to store old bookshelves from the library at the quonset was denied.
POLICE REPORT: The monthly police report was presented.
CLERK REPORT: Moline reported completion of the audit; communication with UPRR concerning a train recently blocking three streets for an extended period of time and acknowledgment of amendment to the Community Bldg. Grant Retrofits. The annual Christmas Party was discussed.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: A Permit was issued to Ken Robinson to construct a garage.
LIBRARY REPORT: The October 6 agenda was noted.
Action was taken to authorize Attorney Lindahl to execute a Joint Stipulation Agreement on behalf of the Village for E3 BioFuels-Mead; accepted first reading of Ord. 607, Municipal Property, Overhanging Trees; approved Resolution 10-19, Loan from the Bank of Mead to purchase a snowplow, shelves for the library and construction of the wellhouse.
Discussion was held on financing the recycling program, delinquent utility account, fire siren grant approval, dump concern, camper parking and accepted the resignation of Crystal Hass as custodian.
The board entered executive session at 8:25 p.m. to evaluate the Library Assistant. The board returned to regular session at 8:31 p.m.
A $.75 per hour wage increase was awarded to Pat Miller, Library Assistant.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

SAUNDERS COUNTYWIDE HOMEOWNER’S REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The Southeast Nebraska Affordable Housing Council (SENAHC) wants to help you fix up your home with grant funding available through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
This program is available to homeowners in Saunders County that meet the household income and family size requirements. Financial assistance is available up to $24,000 in assistance. There are three levels of assistance with different payback - Conditional Grant, Deferred Loan and 0% Interest Loan.
Applications are DUE NOVEMBER 15, 2010 and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are depleted. Request an application online @ www.sendd.org. For more information contact Emily Bausch, SENDD, 2631 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE 68510-1398, Phone 402-475-2560 or Email - ebausch@sendd.org. Application forms and information are also available at the Village Office.
ELIGIBLE REPAIRS are Structural (foundation, roof, etc.); Mechanical (furnace & water heater); Plumbing; Weatherization (windows, doors & insulation); General Maintenance (kitchens, bathrooms, etc.); Handicapped Accessibility (ramps, bathroom fixtures, etc.); Relieve Overcrowding; Safety & code deficiencies.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS NOVEMBER 7

The Village Office will be closed November 25 & 26 for Thanksgiving

FOUND -

A bicycle has been turned into the Village Office. Please contact Police Chief Carlson at 624-2056 or the Village Office at 624-2495 to claim.

FOR HIRE - CUSTODIAN

The Village of Mead is taking applications for a custodian. Duties to include cleaning the village offices, Community Building and restrooms on a seasonal basis at the Mead Park, softball field and baseball field.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply at the Village Office during normal business hours Monday - Friday.

The Village of Mead is an equal opportunity employer who does not discriminate on race, sex, origin or creed.
PANERA BREAD will be available to the public on Saturday, November 13 from 10 –11 a.m. at Alma Lutheran Church. It’s free, come and help yourself to rolls, bagels and bread.

CHURCH SERVICES
MEAD COVENANT 1540 Co Rd 10
7:30 am Prayer in Sanctuary
9:00 am-11:00 am Worship, Coffee & Visiting, Life Groups & Kids Alive

ST. JAMES CATHOLIC 213 E. Eighth St.
5:30 pm Saturday Mass
9:00 am Sunday Mass
(check bulletin for daily mass, generally 7:00 a.m.)

ALMA LUTHERAN 219 W Fifth St.
8:30 am Spoken Worship
9:15 am Sunday School for all ages
10:30 am Traditional Worship
7:00 pm Youth Meeting

Mead Covenant Church Weekly Schedule

Monday
6:00 pm Time of Prayer
Tuesday
6:00 am Pursuing God Through Prayer
7:00 pm Men’s Group
7:00 pm Women’s Group (2nd Tuesday of each month)
Wednesday
7:00 pm Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group
Thursday
10:00 am-Noon Primetimer’s (2nd Thursday of each month) NOVEMBER 11

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Village Board: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6:00 p.m.
Planning Comm: Monday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Library Board: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 7:00 p.m.
Fire & Rescue: Monday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.

The Village Board and Planning Commission meet at the Village Office, Library Board at the Library and the Fire Department at the Fire Hall.

VILLAGE OF MEAD

312 S. Vine St., P.O. Box 46
Mead, NE 68041-0046
Phone: (402) 624-2495
Fax: (402) 624-2024
E-mail: meadclerk1@hotmail.com
Web: www.meadnebraska.net
̴ ̴ ̴ ̴ ̴ ̴ ̴
Ailene Raver, Chairperson
Bobbie Feldhaus, Trustee
Jim Halbmaier, Trustee
Steve Mayfield, Trustee
Dick Swanson, Trustee

June Moline, Clerk/Treas. 624-2495
Nick Raver, Ut/Mnt. Supt. 443-9688
Jerry Carlson, Police Chief 624-2056
Vera Kuhr, Librarian 624-6605
Mike Coyle, Fire Chief 443-7164

UPDATE FROM THE VILLAGE OFFICE . . .

Projects that are being undertaken at the present time by the Village of Mead is :

Energy Grant for replacement of lighting fixtures, furnaces and air conditioning units at the Community Building. Total cost of the project is $22,894.00, with the grant covering $18,315.20 with the village share being $4,578.80.

A Water Study is being conducted at a cost of $23,500.00. CDBG funding covers $18,000.00 and $5,500.00 cost to the village.

Street Study financed with CDBG funds at a cost of $30,000.00. CDBG funding share is $22,300.00 and the village share is $7,700.00.

We have received a $10,370.28 grant from SENDD for a new emergency siren. Grant dollars received will be $7,777.71 and the village contribution will be $2,592.57

WINTER DUMP HOURS
Dump hours are changing for the winter months effective November 1 through April 30. The dump will be open on the FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH ONLY FROM 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

The dump is open to residents only with a fee of $2.00 per load.

PARK IMPROVEMENTS RECEIVED

The Mead Ball Association and Mead Days Committee are proud to announce that the following items have been purchased for the Village of Mead and Mead Public Schools.

Items purchased include two new blue benches for the park, replace tree at the park and two new trees on school grounds, and purchased new volleyball nets.

With our great community support through Mead Days, we were able to make these improvements to our community. Thanks again for everyone who attended and/or donated to Mead Days 2010. We are looking forward to bringing our community another great fun filled family weekend. Mark you calendars June 17-19, 2011.

SNOW REMOVAL GUIDELINES

As winter weather approaches, Village Ord. 5-311 requires that following a snowfall of 2” or more, it shall be unlawful to park or stand any vehicle on any street within the congested district (Vine St. from 3rd St. to 5th St. and 4th St. from the alley adjacent to Blocks 24 and 33 to Vine St. and from alley adjacent to Blocks 25 and 32 to Vine St.), between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. of the following day. All vehicles must be removed promptly from the designated “Snow Emergency Route” that is marked by signs.

On all other streets, parking shall be restricted to the north and west sides of the streets on even numbered days of the month and the south and east sides of the streets on odd numbered days of the month until the streets have been cleaned.

Village ordinance also designates that all sidewalks shall be cleaned within 24 hours after the cessation of snow.

Snow Emergency Route
Snow Emergency Route within the Village of Mead is defined as Elm Street from Highway 92 to Eighth Street, Vine Street from First Street to Eighth Street, First Street from Elm Street to County Road 10, Fourth Street from Elm Street to County Road 10, and Eighth Street from Oak Street to County Road 10.
Signs are posted on the streets indicating they are designated as the Snow Emergency Route. Parking on these streets is not permitted during snow accumulation. No parking on side streets is also encouraged to aid in snow removal in a timely fashion.

Mead Community Group Healthy Family Article of the Month

Inhalants? Not my child!

As parents and grandparents we often think that our children couldn't possibly be involved in some of the bad behaviors we hear about in the media. The fact is, no one is immune, and the more we know and are willing to talk about, the better our chances of protecting our families and community members. Inhalants are one of these topics. So let's learn and be informed.

What are inhalants? Substances that are sniffed for their mind altering and/or behavorial effects. They come from a variety of sources ranging from solvents, aerosols, some anesthetics and other chemicals. Inhalants slow the body's functions, produce slight stimulation or feelings of intoxication and reduce inhibitions. The high may last from fifteen minutes to one hour. Abuse of inhalants can cause illness or death, even after the FIRST TRY!

How are inhalants used? Huffing is inhaling chemicals through the mouth. Sniffing is inhaling through the nose. Bagging is inhaling fumes from a bag.

One common inhalant that kids often try is helium. Breathed in, helium changes the way vibrations come through the voice box, thus causing the voice to sound like a cartoon character. This practice can be deadly because the helium replaces oxygen in the bloodstream. The user can lose consciousness quickly and without warning, the pressure of the gas can rupture the air sacs in the lungs and cause the user to drown in their own blood.

“Dusting” is another popular form of inhaling for youth in our area. Dust Off is used to clean computers and comes with a long straw. Youth tend to insert the straw in their nose and shoot the inhalant directly into their lungs for quicker absorption. It can be prevented by keeping products such as these locked up or out of the home Youth tend to buy an abundance of these products or steal them from places such as schools and libraries where the product is used on a daily basis.

Inhalant use is popular with young teens because it is easily obtainable and inexpensive. It's easier to get away with because parents many times are unaware of the dangers. Younger users tend to use inhalants in groups, older users usually inhale in private. Many users have friends or older siblings who have used inhalants. In the past ten years , the number of kids who used inhalants has doubled and users tend to be between the ages of 7 and 17.

Signs of use may include violent, aggressive and impulsive behaviors; drunken appearance; red/runny nose or nose bleeds; sores or rashes on nose and mouth; hiding rags, clothes, or sandwich bags; and paint or stain marks on face or fingers. If you need help or more information contact the Center of Substance Abuse Treatment, National Drug and Alcohol hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Information from the National Child Safety Council

MCG Asset Tip of the Month

Support – Young people need to experience support, care and love from their families and many others. They need organizations and institutions that provide positive, supportive environments.
Asset #6 – Parent Involvement In School – Parents are actively involved in helping young people succeed in school. They talk with their kids about school, sometimes assist with schoolwork, and attend school events. Make it a point to attend parent-teacher conferences. Attending shows your kids that you care about them and their success. Make it a point to stay actively involved.