Sunday, August 14, 2016

Your Village in 3 minutes Sunday, 14 Aug 16

Friends:

1.  Saturday morning found the Economic Development Committee meeting into the morning discussing annexation, ETJ, Zoning, Sewer, and major issues the Village is facing this year.  Crucial is the next two years.  Incentives are being considered to entice Developers to annex their future developments.

This committee is comprised of people who understand and work in Economic Development.  They  love Salado and want to keep it beautiful, safe, and environmentally healthy.  They also know that without development, Salado will have problems maintaining their infrastructure.  A million dollar budget will not pay for roads, Police, maintenance, and other items needed to keep this community one of the best in Texas.

It will take wise and thought-through thinking.  However, the clock is ticking and decisions must be made with some haste.

There are no plans to raise property taxes for infrastructure.  The Village Budget for 2017 is slim, but it is balanced. The Aldermen/lady will have to carefully manage it.  Hopefully, there will be no major expenses with the Stagecoach Water Treatment plant.  Repairs and equipment expenses have been major this year.  Our new Water Treatment Plant must be operational by November 2017.  

2.  As you know, Main Street will receive a face lift beginning this week.  There will be some inconvenience, but Main Street will not be closed.  Traffic controllers will maintain the flow of traffic.  Please inform your friends and neighbors.

3.  The first reports from the structural test of the creek are excellent.  There is no problem with boring and placing the sewer line underneath the creek.  The best and safest location has been selected.  As soon as the final report is received, it will be placed on the Blog.

4.  There is an opening on the Planning and Zoning Committee.  If you are interested, please pick-up an application from the Municipal Office.  The selection will be made by early September.

5.  Salado has been selected for the coveted Cultural District Recognition.  Official notification will be received soon.  Thanks to PALS, Keep Salado Beautiful, and many citizens for making it happen.

6.  During this hot month, please shop Salado.  Hot weather and buying school supplies have hurt our businesses.  Your dollars will help.

7.  I-35 Construction continues at a fast pace.  The goal is October.

8.  The Environmental Committee is concerned at the amount of trash and the large number of charcoals left on the banks of Salado Creek especially in the area by Stagecoach.  Action will soon be taken to elevate this problem.  This has nothing to do with who or who not uses Village property or swims in Salado Creeks.  It deals with respect, care, and usage of Salado's natural resources.

Have a good week.  VR/Skip

Your Village in 3 minutes

Friends:

1.  Saturday morning found the Economic Development Committee meeting into the morning discussing annexation, ETJ, Zoning, Sewer, and major issues the Village is facing this year.  Crucial is the next two years.  Incentives are being considered to entice Developers to annex their future developments.

This committee is comprised of people who understand and work in Economic Development.  They  love Salado and want to keep it beautiful, safe, and environmentally healthy.  They also know that without development, Salado will have problems maintaining their infrastructure.  A million dollar budget will not pay for roads, Police, maintenance, and other items needed to keep this community one of the best in Texas.

It will take wise and thought-through thinking.  However, the clock is ticking and decisions must be made with some haste.

There are no plans to raise property taxes for infrastructure.  The Village Budget for 2017 is slim, but it is balanced. The Aldermen/lady will have to carefully manage it.  Hopefully, there will be no major expenses with the Stagecoach Water Treatment plant.  Repairs and equipment expenses have been major this year.  Our new Water Treatment Plant must be operational by November 2017.  

2.  As you know, Main Street will receive a face lift beginning this week.  There will be some inconvenience, but Main Street will not be closed.  Traffic controllers will maintain the flow of traffic.  Please inform your friends and neighbors.

3.  The first reports from the structural test of the creek are excellent.  There is no problem with boring and placing the sewer line underneath the creek.  The best and safest location has been selected.  As soon as the final report is received, it will be placed on the Blog.

4.  There is an opening on the Planning and Zoning Committee.  If you are interested, please pick-up an application from the Municipal Office.  The selection will be made by early September.

5.  Salado has been selected for the coveted Cultural District Recognition.  Official notification will be received soon.  Thanks to PALS, Keep Salado Beautiful, and many citizens for making it happen.

6.  During this hot month, please shop Salado.  Hot weather and buying school supplies have hurt our businesses.  Your dollars will help.

7.  I-35 Construction continues at a fast pace.  The goal is October.

8.  The Environmental Committee is concerned at the amount of trash and the large number of charcoals left on the banks of Salado Creek especially in the area by Stagecoach.  Action will soon be taken to elevate this problem.  This has nothing to do with who or who not uses Village property or swims in Salado Creeks.  It deals with respect, care, and usage of Salado's natural resources.

Have a good week.  VR/Skip

Monday Night, Main Street

Friends,

Now that the 6 ateral sewer lines (one is below)



have been completed,

Main Street will receive a face life from side to side.

The original overlay was to be from east white line to west white line.  However, TXDOT has agreed to go beyond the white lines and even-out the side areas.  (See the area right of the white line.  Those will be evened.)
Additionally, cross walks will be striped along with the center and side stripes.

TXDot is considering paving the the short roads between the Church of Christ and the Municipal Building and the road between the residence and the frontage road antique shop.  There will be no charge to the Village.

The work on Main Street may begin as early as Monday evening, 15 August 2016.

Work will be approximately 2 weeks and Main Street will be reduced to one lane with traffic controllers assisting with traffic.  

Though this is an inconvenience, it is a good time as the weather is hot and people are busy getting children back into school.  

Main Street will be read for a great fall and Holiday season.

The Mayor will meet with Mr. Randy Hopmann, TXDoT, Wednesday in Belton.  The purpose is to discuss sidewalks, street lights, and bike path.

VR/Skip





Thursday, August 11, 2016

Jackie Mills will be honored this evening, 11 April

Friends,

This evening, 11 April, 6:30 P.M. Salado Municipal Building, Jackie Mills will be honored with a Proclamation from the Village Aldermen/Lady.

Her talents, accomplishments, and work are directly responsible for the reputation and distinction of Salado being one of the best Villages in Texas.

Please join us for this recognition.

VR/Skip

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

The latest on I-35 Construction, 10 Oct 2016



Friend,

Much has happened since last writing.  The I-35 construction continues at a faster pace.  James Construction has added a 2 new crews and are working around the clock, 7-days a week.  Yes, TXDoT has given James Construction to work on Sunday.  That permission is not normally given.

We are at the Salado Plaza Bridge and will be going north toward 2484.  



This picture of the east side of Salado Plaza Bridge is less than a week old.  All that gravel piled by the white pick-up is going between the wall and the wall of dirt that was coved with black plastic for several months.  Gravel is the only fill that will work.  Today, the wall has reached its height on the south side and is nearing completion on the north side.  One can see the other stagecoach embedded in the rock ( see picture below). The road where the orange barrel and machinery are part of the new frontage road.

The dirt on the left side is the new I-35 north bound.  It is waiting for the wall to be completed.  Most of the northbound I-35 behind this picture is ready for concrete.  It looks like a long time, but it will go much faster than the picture indicates.  (see picture below)

From Thomas Arnold Bridge looking north. See Salado Plaza Bridge on the right. The black asphalt is the Northbound I-35 awaiting iron and concrete mentioned above.  The Wall of the Bridge on the East Side is expected to be done by the end of August and all that will be left is to connect this section of road with the road going over the Bridge.






East side Stagecoach as mentioned above.

The stagecoach and horses are on both sides of the bridge (east and west).


Underneath Salado Plaza Bridge.  The unfinished road on the right will soon be finished.  The Salado Plaza Road traffic will be switched from the road on the left to the finished road on the right.  Reason:  the road on which people are now traveling will be prepared for completion. 




Question:  What is this?  It is the column that will holds the large green street/exit, road signs.  Those signs are expected to be here by the end of the month.




The 2484 bridge is completed.  Looking north from the 2484 Bridge, the black asphalt with iron awaiting concrete, is the new frontage road.  The present Frontage road to the left of the orange barrels will be ground-up and the dirt graded for grass planting.  When this section of the frontage road is completed, all of the 2484 bridge will be open for traffic.  It is a large bridge and ready for traffic.  (see Picture below)




Standing on the 2484 bridge looking south, see the new frontage road ready for traffic as soon as the frontage road pictured above is completed.  




Another look from 2484 Bridge of the frontage road going south.  Like the East side, the current frontage road that is taken to get to the Salado Plaza Bridge from 2484 will be destroyed and grass will be planted in that area.  You will take this frontage road to get to Salado Plaza Bridge.




Traveling south on the frontage road from 2484, notice the nice driveways for Cowboys, Golf Shop, and Cowboys.



As one travels within the footprint of the construction, one sees small areas that need to completed.  This one is awaiting concrete.  When completed it will connect other sections of the road.  




This will be the last project completed.  As you can see the railing are being constructed. The road underneath is the road entering I-35 south.  The bridge is the I-35 exit to Thomas Arnold.




 From the Thomas Arnold Bridge looking north toward Waco, the final blocks of concrete are being placed.  The black asphalt at the bottom is the east exit from I-35.  The white road is awaiting asphalt. The exit will end close to Old Town Salado.  

Progress is being made quickly.  October 2016 remains the date.

VR/Skip