The Road Repair Plan

Friends,

Road Repair, depending on the weather, will begin in January.

Priority of this project is #1 along with the sewer.  Plans for the sewer are in the beginning stages and will continue into next year.

 In the last Board of Aldermen (BOA) these are the facts and plan the road committee presented:

1.  Their are three types of road repair that will take place.  The first will be Crack sealing which is necessary to keep the water from getting into the cracks and causing more damage.








2.  The second type of road repair is Seal coating.  Below are the recommendations to include the streets that will be receive first treatment.  Notice the cost estimate and what Bell County is willing to do.




3.  The third type of road repair is reconstruction.  Below is the plan:




Money may not be available for ribbon curbing, the third point in this slide.

Our City Administrator, Kim Faust, and the road committee chaired by Alderman Mike McDougal will be glad to answer your questions, 947-5060.

The BOA realizes that road repair will be an ongoing project forever.  Once all the roads are repaired, it will be time to start the process over.  Each year, money allocated in the budget will be used.

What is important to know:  (1)  There is a plan and it will begin immediately; (2) research is on-going on how to repair the roads the most cost effective yet quality way possible; (3)  the people who make up the Road Repair Committee are committed and will continue to work and plan for out future.

VR/Skip

Sanctuary Development and Sculpture Park Ribbon Cutting

Friends,

If you want to know more about the Sanctuary Development, the following may be a good opportunity to listen and learn more about the project:

November 11 -- Establishing a framework for a growing community

November 18 -- Providing for the Village and the Community

December 2 -- Building a unique community but still one Village

January 12 -- Financing a new Community

January 26 -- Adding the Jewelry to the Community

These informational sessions presented by the Sanctuary Developer, Robert Sulaski, will be held in the Salado Library Community Room.  The time is not known, but Monday, please call the Village Office and ask, 947-5060.                                                    

(2)  On 17 November, 5:30 P.M., there will be a ribbon cutting for the Sculpture Park on Salado Plaza.  It is a beautiful Park.  If you have a moment, please come.  Sculpture Park is a treasure for our Village.

VR/Skip

The latest from TXDOT

Friends,

Tuesday, a brief informal meeting was held with Andy and Jason of TXDot.

The following is in the information received:

*         FM 2484 bridge opening- They are planning on having the new 2484 bridge opened to traffic by the 1st week in December.  Once the bridge is opened, within a week, the old bridge will be destroyed.

*         Southbound Frontage construction from 2484 to Main St- They plan on doing the tie in of the new Southbound frontage approach to the new 2484 bridge and indicated that this will be complete by the 1st week in December.

*         IH 35 bridge at Salado Plaza- The contractors schedule indicates closing the existing bridge after the 1st of the year and opening the new bridge sometime in mid-Summer 2016.  They are looking at ways to accelerate this work and complete the bridge construction sooner.  This is very interesting because this section is the last major construction to be done.  That means construction is gong to end much earlier than November of next year.   This is a major schedule change.  After this section is done, all this left is cleaning up and completing any minor adjustments.  

Many have asked about the Holland road bridge.  According to Jason, Andy, and Cody's replacement, the problem of Texas and James Construction not agreeing on how to stabilize the west side has been solved.  They said that the bridge will be open by the end of December or sooner.  It was explained to them that this was a major irritation and that something needed to be done as soon as possible.  

Citizen complaints were given to them concerning the frontage road of I-35 and the need to clean-up and level-out.  They said they would do it immediately.  Also, they will either repair and paint the sign in front of the Municipal Building or move it.  The sign belongs to James Construction who places their notices on it.  It has been in bad repair for a year.

TXDot will return in December for another informal meeting.

A Town Hall is being planned for January.  

The Destruction Construction Nightmare is coming to an end.  

VR/Skip

Events you may not know

    Friends,

     1.  Horsefeathers has sold and currently the new owners are looking for lease tenants.  In front of the property is the lease sign and telephone number.  Great location.  The new owners paid a serious amount of money for the property meaning they see a great future for Salado.  That is proof positive.

    2.  The dedication of Sirena last evening was spectacular.  It was simple, moving, and very meaningful.  On the banks of Salado Creek, Troy Kelley, artist, told the process he used in making Sirena and and the magical catfish.  The mood of the evening was friendly and warm; the pride felt deeply and genuinely.  Truly this is Salado -- the people and love of history, tradition, and art. Thank you, Public Art League, Salado (PALS), for a world-class dedication.

   3.  Following the dedication, a reception was held in Larry Prellop's Art Gallery.  The food was wonderful, but the fellowship was outstanding as old friends and new acquaintances chatted.  Of course, the art on every wall was beautiful; such great, talented artists.

4.  Open House at the Spring House was extremely superb.  The decorations were exquisite and the items for sale, special and one-of-a-kind.  The soloist was simply awe-inspiring.  What a voice; what passion.  This was a very enjoyable hour in a beautiful store.  Thank you for inviting the community.

Folks, you have such a wonderful village.  Thank you for making it special and meaningful.  No one does it better than you!

Most respectfully, Skip

Halloween in the Village

Friends,

October 31, Halloween, 2014, was a fun ghost and goblin evening in our Village.  It really started Wednesday evening with "Trunk or Treat" at the United Methodist Church.

Friday, the Baptist had an evening event at the Wildfire Horse Arena while the Episcopal Church had a Carnival-like event to include a Maze.

Trucks pulling trailers loaded with adults and children came through the neighborhoods wanting treats and sweets.

Most important, all returned home safe.  Maybe a little too many sweets to make mom happy.  Here are a few pictures to mark Halloween this year:

"I am a sweet little bumble bee."

"Were did we leave her?  She was just right here."

 

And they kept on coming.

The meeting of the animal kingdom.

VR/Skip

The Road Repair Plan and Cost will go before the BOA, 6 Nov

Friends,

Happy Halloween!  May it be safe and sweet.

This afternoon, Alderman Mike McDougal delivered a great Halloween present.  Wrapped in a large gold envelope was the recommendation and approximate cost of road repair.

The report will be given to the Aldermen/lady at the next BOA meeting, Thursday, 6 November, 6:30.
Since the Aldermen/lady have not had the opportunity to see it, no costs or recommendations will be included in this blog.

The cost is reasonable and the report will include a motion for approval.

This report has been in the making for three months.  Mike and his committee have been working tirelessly to develop a reasonable plan that the village could afford.  Roads have been traveled, walked, and discussed.

If the BOA approves the plan, bid requests for Base Bids will be prepared.  Additionally, an inter local agreement with Bell County will be prepared.  Once this is done, we will be well on our way to repair roads.

Thank you, Mike and your committee, for making this happen.  You have now accomplished one of the top 5 issues the BOA took on for this calendar year.  If the BOA approves the proposal, work will begin early next year.

To the citizens, thank you for being patient.  Solid, well planned work takes time and effort.  You now have a plan for the BOA to consider.

VR/Skip

The Youth of Salado

Friends,

Monday evening, before the last Town Hall, I had the honor of being with the Leadership Class of our High School.  Approximately 20-30 youth compose this class.

The youth were

      . . . . bright and alert

              . . . . aware of the issues in Salado, their village, the one they will remember for the rest of their lives

                       . . . . wise beyond their years
 
                                . . . . they are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders now.

The Adults were

     . . . . caring and engaged

             . . . . involved and tuned-in

                      . . . . giving of their very best with little recognition for what they do.

Sometimes, in the midst life and daily activities, we forget what is happening a mile or so down the road.  Teachers are teaching, students are learning, and the future of America is being shaped.

The Salado schools are among the best . . . . not because they are urged to by the community but because THEY WANT TO BE.

This is a gift that money cannot buy; awards cannot express; words cannot describe.

You want something to celebrate; something to appreciate; something to "hang your hat on."  walk in their shadow, sit in their presence, observe from a window -- and you will see the best of the best doing their job day-in-and-day-out.

They are worthy of our best example in all we do, say, and act.

May we never let them down or show a side of us that will scar their promise and achievement.

VR/Skip