NEWS UPDATE FROM TOWN HALL
DECEMBER 30, 2021
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Well, another year has come and gone. When I was a kid, New years were exciting. They meant I was growing up. Each New Year brought excitement and new adventure. And now, some sixty years later, I still look forward to the New Year with anticipation; well, maybe not the exuberance of my younger years, but anticipation and hope.
Anticipation of the excitement of:
- closing out the Undergrounding project;
- beginning the east Channel dredging project;
- seeing new high-end Condo being built on Inlet Way;
- once again working with Planning & Zoning Committee to stimulate redevelopment of District B buildings (with no three-Story buildings!);
- the challenge of turning in another balanced or, better yet, surplus budget performance while maintaining a high level of service.
Thinking about these makes my adrenaline begin to flow, and I forget all the mileage and wear and tear on my bones. It will be a fun and productive year, despite the continuing COVID-19 challenges and the looming financial, security, and social issues facing our Country. So, pull up your britches and get ready for the 2022 ride!
Unfortunately, during 2021 we lost several longtime residents, but their memories and contribution to the Town live on. On the other side of the ledger, we have had a number of new residents move into Town and, along with them, more children and new birth than we have had in a very long time. As it is said, "That’s Life.”
Inlet dredging:
Next week, the annual Inlet dredging project will begin early in the New Year. This is NOT the East Channel of Lakeworth dredging that I have written about. It is the yearly Corps of Engineers dredging of the Inlet. This year's dredge will be longer and more extensive than any past 20 years. The operation will last for approximately 12 weeks. They will dredge the Inlet, the Port Turning basin, which is on the southwestern side of Peanut Island, and the Settling Basin, which is in the Ocean, just east of the Pump House. The Dredging Ship will pump sand via piping to the Palm Beach Shore. Bulldozers will distribute the sand along the Palm Beach Shoreline. It will be a 24 hour, seven days a week operation, which means bulldozers will run day and night with floodlight burning at night. (We will work to keep the floods point away from our buildings on Inlet way.) The operation will remove between 400,000 and 500,000 cubic yards of sand. The cost of the operation is $10.9 million.
Undergrounding:
As you may have heard, the Comcast Phase of the operation is completed. The Town is no longer in close contact with the Comcast Staff; they have moved on to other projects. So, if you experience technical issues, you will need to contact Comcast, not the Town Hall staff.
IMPORTANT: As I have written in the past, we cannot remove the service poles until ALL WIRES are removed from them. Town Hall staff just completed a survey of the north half of Town, where AT&T all-fiber service installation has been completed. Many houses and condos still have AT&T wires running to the poles. More than a few have Comcast service but also have AT&T wires. AS LONG AS AT&T WIRE REMAINS ON THE POLES, WE CAN NOT HAVE THE POLES REMOVED!!!!! So, pleaaaaaaseeee start now to take steps to convert your service to the new Fiber service. And, if you have an old AT&T phone line, please have it converted to voice-over IP.
The December Commission Meeting:
As you might imagine, the December Agenda was a bit thin. Items of interest are as follows:
- I reported that the Port Commission approved the County Peanut Island contract. This is a big deal and is an outcome that Palm Beach and Palm Beach Shores have been working to achieve for the past year. The County will now be responsible for all of the Island Park area. They will restore the old Kennedy bomb shelter and the old Coastguard Station and associated dock. The County will then operate these facilities under its Parks and Recreation Department.
- At the request of the POA/Environmental committee, the Commission approved placing a Beach Bucket Foundation cleanup station on the Town Beach Tikki Hut. The idea is that folks pick up a bucket and walk the beach picking up trash, then return the bucket, empty it and replace it in the station. Vice Mayor McCranels spoke very highly of the organization and the concept.
- It was agreed to continue paying Alan Welch an Undergrounding salary supplement of $1,000 a month until April. At that time, the project will be reviewed, and a determination made whether or not an additional extension is required.
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The Commission approved a contract with a Florida Legislature lobbying firm, Rubin, Turnbil, & Associates. This firm will be lobbying for the passage of the East Channel Dredging Project funding. (It seems that one must use a lobbyist to be successful in Tallahassee). Town funds will not be used to fund this contract.
And that is a wrap!
Happy New Year and the best of luck and fortune in 20202!
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TREVOR STEEDMAN - FIRE CHIEF
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COVID-19 Update:
The PBC Emergency Operations Center is maintaining COVID-19 operations at Activation Level III (Enhanced Monitoring). According to the CDC, the Omicron variant accounted for 22.5% of new COVID-19 cases in the week ending Dec 18, reducing their original estimate of 73.2% from that week. In the week ending Dec 25, the CDC said Omicron accounted for 58.6% of all new cases. The Delta variant remained dominant for most of December. Omicron continues to be evaluated very carefully for its prevalence, significance, and response to existing vaccines and therapeutics. COVID-19 information and more resources are available by visiting https://discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/Updates.aspx
County Testing Sites:
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Where: Gardens Branch of the PBC Libraries - 11303 Campus Drive, off PGA Blvd.
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When: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. CLOSED Dec 30 – Jan 1
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How: This site offers drive-through testing (PCR “Nasal Swab” and Rapid Test).
Note: The testing is free. However, where available, insurance or Medicare / Medicaid programs will be billed to help offset the cost of testing. The PBC Information line 561-712-6400 is Open Daily 8am - 6pm. Test kit supply shortages may affect the availability and hours of the testing site.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Treatment:
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Where: Westgate Park and Recreation Center - 3691 Oswego Ave. - West Palm Beach, Florida 33409.
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When: Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Who: 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.
Note: Florida’s Surgeon General advises that the federal government recently paused COVID-19 shipments of monoclonal antibody treatments manufactured by Regeneron and Eli Lilly, asserting that those products are not effective against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The federal government continues to supply Glaxosmithkline’s monoclonal antibody product Sotrovimab, which reportedly is effective against the Omicron variant.
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.
Fire Department:
Thank you to everyone who welcomed PBSFD’s Santa and his elves on Christmas Day as they made their rounds and deliveries about Town…We were pleased that the tradition continues!
Ocean Rescue:
Our Lifeguards want to remind everyone of rip currents and the presence of Portuguese Man-O-War in our coastal waters (Man-O-War are not jellyfish, but rather a siphonophore – As my High School Science Teacher so aptly corrected me on the subject). Please use extra caution if you choose to enter the ocean outside of the guarded beach or before/after guarded beach hours. “It’s best to keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand”.
2022 is right around the corner - We wish everyone a Safe, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
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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STEVE LANGEVIN - SGT. - DISTRICT #20 |
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Almost there! 2022 has to be less COVID than this one, but I think that's what I wrote last year.
On behalf of all at the Sheriff's office, I hope you enjoyed the holidays and the upcoming New Year's eve.
I have nothing major to report to you this month. We continue to step up patrols where needed and have initiated traffic surveys on each street, rotating to learn the vehicles' speed into and out of town.
Please know we are here when you need us. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me. We have a great group of deputies here for you, and each enjoys meeting you.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.
Sgt. Steve Langevin.
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TOWN HALL MEETINGS - 2022
PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING
JANUARY 25, 2022 @ 6:30 P.M.
COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP
JANUARY 10, 2022 @ 7:OO P.M.
COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2022 @ 7:00 P.M.
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The Seasiders Bazaar will be held Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 8:00AM to 12:00PM.
More information to follow next month.
Save the date and enjoy finding treasures!!
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The BIG BOX CoverUP
The Environmental Committee ( "EC") encourages all residents to "cover up" the FPL or Comcast "boxes" in many front yards with plants. The attached flyer sets forth the "rules" and provides some suggestions and photos.
Let's all do our bit to keep Palm Beach Shores looking "green" rather than metallic.
Grace Sterrett, EC Chair
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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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