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NEWS UPDATE FROM TOWN HALL
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
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Well, September 2021 is in the books. The nights are getting a touch cooler and the later afternoons are downright pleasant. I walked out of the office yesterday, stopped, took in the early evening air, and said to myself, "This is why we live in Florida." Friends in the northland are reporting nights in the 50s, days in the 70s, and the leaves are starting to turn. The harvesters are rolling on the farms, and there is fresh apple cider, pumpkin pie, and football. And, even though the days are perfect in South Florida, I have to admit that part of me yearns for the days of my youth, the smell of burning leaves in the crisp air, boarding a bus on the way to a football game. But enough with the nostalgia.
September has been a quiet but productive month in Town. The Commission completed the Budget work. (Like all municipal government, the Town operates on an October 1 – September 30 fiscal year) The millage rate of 6.3500 mills was approved. A budget of $5,462,261 was adopted. While the millage rate remained the same, the actual budget increased by $85,013. Property values increase and increase in other revenue covered the increase. The undergrounding debt service remains at $495,855. This is covered by a debt service millage of 0.4290 mils and the utility tax. If you have questions about the budget, please contact Town Administrator Wendy Wells or me.
As Alan Welch will report in his comments, this year's Public Works projects have been or are on the verge of being completed. Many of them have been done by our in-house staff at greatly reduced costs. The most gratifying of all the projects are the swales installed on the Cascade and Lake intersection. Lake Cascade, as it was sarcastically referred to, is now gone. The road drains in a matter of minutes regardless of how hard and or fast the rain fall. The job was done in-house at the cost of around $500.
Steady progress has been made towards the completion of the utilities undergrounding project. The FPL portion was completed earlier in the year. The Comcast hookups have been completed. Their contractor is in the process of cleaning up punch list items and removal of their lines from the polls. They will finish up within a week or ten days. AT&T has completed the north half of Town and is making rapid progress on the south half. While we don't have a completion date from AT&T, they should finish up by year-end, given their progress rate.
Important Note: AT&T has informed us that approximately 50% of their customers in the north half (Edwards Lane to Beach Road) have converted to the new service. THE POLES CANNOT COME DOWN UNTIL ALL AT&T CURRENT CUSTOMERS CONVERT TO THE NEW SERVICE. So, if you are among those who have not made the conversion, please do so as soon as possible.
For two reasons, the water main replacement project has a temporary snag.
- It has been decided to wrap the new 12" pipe in polyurethane to prolong its functional life. This required renegotiation of a couple of sections of the contract.
- The contract has a 180-day completion clause. After that period, the contractor must pay a late completion penalty. So, they will not start work until they have all the material need for the project staged on site. They are still waiting for the arrival of certain items.
We will advise all residents as soon as we know when the actual digging will begin.
The Demolition of the three motels on the south side of Inlet, 150,200 and 206, is scheduled to begin in early October. Three (separate), five-unit, Condo buildings will be built. We are advised that most of the individual units have been sold, preconstruction. This is good news for the Town, but it is a bit sad for me personally, as 150 Inlet (the old Southwind building) was my aunt's Florida residence. She and her husband purchased that lot and eight others on the Inlet in 1950. (My house occupies two of those lots.)
And that is a wrap for September.
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TREVOR STEEDMAN - FIRE CHIEF
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The PBC Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains at Level III Activation (Enhanced Monitoring). A State of Local Emergency was renewed in Palm Beach County and will remain in full force and effect until October 5. These States of Local Emergency are issued in seven-day increments, at which they are reviewed/considered for continuance or revocation. The number of new cases and hospitalization data are trending in a much better direction than they were a month ago. Updated information on hospitalization data in Palm Beach County can be found by visiting
County Testing Sites:
Our closest testing site is in Palm Beach Gardens at the Gardens Branch of the PBC Libraries - 11303 Campus Drive, off PGA Blvd. This site offers drive-through testing (PCR “Nasal Swab” and Rapid Test). The testing is free, however, where available insurance or Medicare / Medicaid programs will be billed to help offset the cost of testing. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment:
The State has established a monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site at the Westgate Park and Recreation Center in West Palm Beach. This site has the capacity to serve 300 patients per day and will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is located at:
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Westgate Park and Recreation Center 3691 Oswego Ave. West Palm Beach, Florida 33409.
The monoclonal antibody treatments are available to individuals 12 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe illness and hospitalization. The monoclonal antibody treatments are available at no cost to eligible individuals. The antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus. According to the treatment guidelines, they should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis.
The Palm Beach Shores Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they are received.
- The Florida Department of Health has established a dedicated COVID-19 call center (866) 779 6121 for the public to call 24 hours a day. In addition, the public can email COVID19@flhealth.gov for more information.
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Community Risk Reduction:
· The Community
Emergency Supply Program
- The Town’s storage pod is stocked with basic food and water needs for distribution to our residents during the initial, critical days following a hurricane. FEMA advises communities and individuals to be prepared to self-sustain for 72 Hours as it takes them time to mobilize emergency resources and assistance. ”The first 72 is on you” is FEMA’s slogan reminder to make these important considerations and preparations. Our Community Emergency Supply Program is dedicated to bridging this anticipated three-day gap. Town departments have assessed and updated their essential hurricane supplies, equipment, and response plans.
· Hurricane / Disaster Preparedness – The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season is becoming more prolific as we get into October. Fortunately, to-date, the tropical weather has stayed well offshore. Hopefully this trend will continue. Nevertheless, we remain ready:
- For your hurricane planning purposes, it is important to know that the County announced that PBC shelters will still operate at ½ capacity, citing COVID-19 prevention concerns.
- Also, some pet-friendly shelters require pre-registration. Helpful hurricane preparation links are listed below:
or
As always, preparation and self-sufficiency are the best tools in your hurricane planning toolbox. Here are of few of the key items to remember ahead of the storm:
- One gallon of water per person per day for at least 5 days, for drinking and sanitation
- Make sure prescription medications have been refilled if necessary.
- Trim trees and Secure loose objects around the house
- Re-stock personal care and cleaning items.
As always, please reach out with questions or if we can be of any assistance. tsteedman@pbsfire.org or (561) 296-3380
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ALAN WELCH - DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS |
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The Best Little Town In Florida
Tax Dollars At Work
The following projects have been completed during fiscal year 2021
- Beach Bathroom Restoration / Completed by contractor & Public Works.
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Beach Bathroom roof coating / Completed by Public Works.
- Beach Boardwalk Construction / Completed by Public Works.
- Community Center exterior painting project / Completed by contractor & Public Works.
- Community Center Interior painting project / Completed by Public Works.
- Community Center LED lighting fixtures conversion entire building / Completed by Public Works.
- Community Center new 20 ton AC air handler unit 2nd. Floor / Completed by contractor & Public Works.
- Community Center major fire sprinkler & fire alarm repairs / Completed by a contractor.
- Town Hall sewer pipe lining and repairs / Completed by a contractor.
- Town Hall AC replacements 2 each both units / Completed by a contractor.
- Fire Department new tile roof / Completed by contractor & Public Works.
- Fire Department new front porch / Completed by contractor & Public Works.
- Police Department roof repairs / Completed by Public Works.
- Police Department installed new LED parking lot poles & lights / Completed by Public Works.
- Police Department installed new security cameras and poles / Completed by PBSO & Public Works.
- Inlet Park applied asphalt sealer to the walkway / Completed by Public Works.
- Inlet Park, repairing retaining walls and concrete slabs to Gazebos / Completed by Public Works.
- Storm Water Backflow Tidal Valve installed in outfall pipe Lake Drive & Bamboo Road / Completed by a contractor.
- Storm Water Street Swales to Catch Basins Blossom Lane & Cascade Lane / Completed by Public Works.
- Street Lights restoration & repairs / In progress performed by Public Works.
The Public Works Department is pleased to announce the completed projects for the Fiscal Year 2020 & 2021.
The Public Works TEAM sets a goal every year to enhance the quality of life for all Town Residents.
The Public Works Department appreciates the positive feedback and support received by the Towns residents and visitors.
Alan Welch
Director of Public Works
Town of Palm Beach Shores
247 Edwards Lane
Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404
Office (561) 844-3457
Cell (561) 644-9542
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STEVE LANGEVIN - SGT. - DISTRICT #20 |
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So far, so good on the storm front for us. We are not out of the woods yet, but well on our way. Thanks so much to all who have come in to have had a re-entry permit assigned to them; also of great help is when you let us know you will be out of Town for an extended period. Mary and I are here Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, my email is langevins@pbso.org, and the direct office line is 561-844-9269. All other times, 561-688-3400, also a red phone that connects you directly to PBSO communications, is attached to the front of the Police district building. As always, emergencies are 911.
Recently a male entered a Lake Drive property, walked to the boat, docked in the water, and left with it. It is a 31-foot vessel valued at around One Hundred Sixty thousand dollars.
The suspect fled south to the Inlet opening. Our Marine patrol and Aviation unit responded, searching 3.5 miles out in the ocean waterways. After a lengthy search, the investigation returned to land. The vessel was located later that evening, about 4 hours south of here.
The Sheriffs, South Florida Taskforce, joined our deputies and District 3 detectives to continue the investigation; utilizing our cameras, we quickly found a person of interest, and an arrest will be forthcoming.
One arrest was made last month. It involved a person who came to a nearby resort, ordered a cocktail, walked down the hall to the spa, received a pedicure, and attempted to leave without paying.
As mentioned, all our deputies completed the beach vehicle training. Deputy Grammatico completed the 40-hour police bicycle-training course; she is the second bike-trained deputy. These two types of patrols add to our Segway, foot, and road patrol activities throughout Town.
Thank you again for all your help in keeping our Town safe and being a great place to live.
Sergeant Steve Langevin
Commander, District 20
Town of Palm Beach Shores.
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Greetings to Palm Beach Shores residents!
The Seasiders are gearing up for another busy season. COVID-19 is still with us and we will approach our activities thoughtfully so that we keep everyone safe. We will hold our monthly luncheons, fundraising activities, and meetings as planned, however, each month we will make a determination about procedures and precautions with regard to COVID.
We will be starting up our Community Service activities this month, preparing for our first big fundraiser, the Holiday Market on December 4. We'll be on the Community Center lower level & feature handmade ornaments, crafts & cards, gently used Christmas decorations, a gift boutique, bake sale & 50/50 raffle. All funds support our local charities. Stay tuned for more information on that.
Lori Kollmeyer, President
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COST: $20
LOCATION: FIRE DEPT. ANNEX
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PALM BEACH SHORES FIRE DEPT.
MORALE T-SHIRT Sale
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THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS......
the purchasing of uniforms, fire gear, and equipment for the volunteers. Also for the dinners at the Volunteer Association meetings, the holiday dinner, and also anything needed in the living space of the annex.
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October is breast cancer awareness month. These are Special, Limited-edition T-shirts to raise awareness for that cause. |
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