Answers to frequently asked questions -- keeping you "in-the-know"

Friends,

Answers to questions:

1.  What is happening to Stage Coach?

---  As of today, 25 December, Stage Coach has not sold.  The negotiations are ongoing.  The potential buyer is the same.  This is not speculation or guessing.  Negotiations are ongoing.  This is not rumor, it is fact.

---  As of 1 January, 2015, the Dining room will close and not re-open.  The cafe will remain open.

2.  Does Sanctuary have a permit to build a water treatment plant?

--  Yes.  Kim is has had engineers look at the permit.  She will give you the results after the holidays.  It appears to be a "quality" permit.

3.  What are the plans for the new year?

--  The BOA has authorized 4 committees --  to begin working in January.  The membership of these committees will be announced in the BOA meeting 15 January.  Each committee will have 2 Aldermen/Alder-Lady.  Make no mistake, the hours will be long and the meetings numerous.  These 4-committees are critical.  Groundwork and plans must be completed and approved no later than 1 May.

-- The Village Lawyer and Sanctuary's Lawyer are in conversation and will continue after the Holidays.

-- The date is being set for another 6-hour BOA session near the end of January.  The session will be open for the most part, however,  the workload is extremely heavy and there will be few opportunities for citizens to talk or ask questions.  There will be at least 3 or 4 of these long sessions this year -- usually on a Saturday.

--  There will be a Town Hall meeting with TXDOT late January.  TXDOT is looking at the calendar now and that date will be posted shortly after the New Year.

--  January and February, the Municipal Building will be doing some renovations and the Police will be moving next door as soon as it is ready.  VOLUNTEERS ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED to help with renovation and moving.  Kim and our Maintenance Supervisor will put together the plan, dates announced, and exact work detailed as soon as the Holidays are ended.  Please get your paint brushes ready.  Landscaping will be part of this.  The more volunteers, the better.  We need to keep the cost at a minimum.

4.  What is the latest on the 1.5 million dollar sewer grant?

--  A decision is expected by the end of January.  EDA will inform the Village.

-- Kim is working on a second state grant for this Spring.

5.  Are there new developers interested in Salado?

-- Every day, Kim receives a telephone call.  This is why those 4 committees mentioned in number 3 are critical.   Salado must have its act together and know exactly what to do.  The citizens will have a voice through their Aldermen and AlderLady.  We will not be caught unprepared.  Too much is at stake.

6.  Is Killeen looking for another way to I-35 other than 2484 and 190?

-- According to their city officials, yes.  By late 2015 or early 2016, plans will be implemented.  Their path will be somewhere between Jarrell and Salado.  Anything not in an ETJ will be annexed with a Killeen address.  This is not a scare tactic, it is fact.

--  Temple has plans, too.  It is believed but NOT confirmed that they will come from the South East around Academy and Little River.  Annexation is their goal.

--  The completion of I-35, the growth of Texas in the I-35 corridor, and the cost of cities doing business will make this an interesting and difficult year.  For the big cities and towns, Annexation is the answer.

This is only a few of the concerns the Village is facing.  It is NOT going to be an easy, business-as- usual year.  It is going to be fast year but "haste cannot make waste."  It is going to be a year that we must pull together, communicate frequently, and be flexible.  We must make mature and balanced decisions.

You have a great team of Aldermen/Alderlady -- talk to them frequently.  They make and implement the policy.  They are deeply concerned and want the best for Salado and you.

You will be kept informed.  Read this BLOG frequently.  It will keep you updated along with the Village Voice.

VR/Skip