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Back in the late 60s and early 70s, a German band leader by the name of James Last recorded a series of big band rock music albums. They were some of the best dance music ever recorded. The name of the albums: NON-STOP DANCING. Well, these past couple of weeks has seemed like the movie Groundhog Day, stuck in a recurring nonstop dance party. Winter residents have headed north for the summer, other folks are off on vacation, but the work pace in Town reflects none of this. We are busier than ever, and not with dancing. (By the way, check out James Last on YouTube; Nonstop Dancing 68 and 69 are the best, particularly if you were young, living abroad, and attending nonstop dance parties!! (a little nostalgia on my part.)
Now, with a slight smile on my face, I turn to my report on Town business:
The undergrounding project continues in fits and starts. AT&T now has all the fiber in the ground, except for one run on the 100 block of Inlet Way. That last run should be done sometime next week. The fiber cable splicing is moving along at a good pace, and if all goes well, the south half of Town will have the fiber runs completed and available for service in a couple of weeks. Also, AT&T is making plans for the removal of their wires in the north half of Town. They will start in the quadrant from Edwards to Beach west of the Parkway to Lake Drive, then between the same streets from the Parkway to Atlantic, and then lastly, Atlantic to Ocean. All that should be done in a couple of months. How quickly we can remove the cable in the south depends on how quickly we get ALL AT&T customers in that area converted. The undergrounding has been a long journey, but the end is in sight.
Similarly, getting the water main replacement project started has been difficult and super frustrating. But, starting next Tuesday, July 6th, the work will begin in earnest. The road mill reported last week will really start, and by the end of the week, the contractor, B&B, should begin laying new pipes in the ground. If they don’t, Alan Welch and I may blow our head gaskets! There will be traffic barriers and flagmen to direct traffic. As previously reported, heavy equipment and pipes will be moved on the perimeter roads. If you have questions, call Alan Welch or me.
The painting of Townhall and the retarring of its flat roof have been completed. Slowly, the renovation and painting of the street lights are progressing: the lights on the Parkway, Town parking lot, and Bamboo and Sandal are completed. The project moves along at a pace of about a street a day, except when other work interferes.
The rumors circulating about the old Sea Spray (123 Ocean) are true. The owners are planning to demolish the structure and build a new six-story luxury condominium. The plans for the project are being presented to the Development Review Committee on Wednesday, July 6th. Included in the planning is removing the old asphalt from the beach parking lot and replacing it with pavers, along with planting new palm trees around the perimeter of the lot. All to be paid for by the developer. If successful in the approval process, this project will remove a worn-out and dilapidated structure with a very attractive building.
Turning to the June Commission meeting, in addition to the item reported above, the following items of business were dealt with:
- The annual audit of Town finances was presented. The report card was very good. The Auditor reported that the Town finances are in very good shape, and the audit was very good. Congratulations to Wendy Well for another excellent year’s work.
- The Town contract with Waste Management was extended for another five-year period. As with all things in our economy, there was a significant price increase, but we were able to negotiate a better price than some of the neighboring communities.
- A resolution appointing John Peterson to the Intel Park Encroachment Committee was approved. He replaced Paul Sivilotty, who resigned for personal reasons.
- There was a discussion as to whether or not the Town should adopt Juneteenth as an official holiday. No action was taken. The matter will be discussed again at a workshop. The general feeling was that the Town already has enough holidays, and those who want to celebrate Juneteenth could use their floating Holiday.
- Finally, an ordinance concerning planting trees on newly developed houses was sent back to the P&Z for further review.
And that is a wrap on town business.
Enjoy the 4th of July Holiday, and in celebrating, please keep in mind the great gift of freedom that the Holiday represents.
And, to our Muslim residents and friends, Eid al -Adha Mubareek, or in Turkish Kurban Byraminiz mutlu ve kutlu olsun. (These are the traditional holiday greetings in Arabic and Turkish.) The Sacrifice Holiday begins on July 10th. The celebration usually lasts four days.
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