What the Village is facing in 2015

Friends,

    The end of a year is here.  Where did 2014 go?  Why was it in such a hurry?

    In a few days, 2015 will begin.  It is a year that may be the most demanding year in the history of Salado.

    (1)  The sewer will be challenging.  With or without the sewer bond election, some form of sewer was coming with Sanctuary.  They have a permit and they are not in the city limits.  The same is true of the Robertson Ranch.   We must find a way to work together, protect Salado, cut costs, and not sacrifice quality.

    (2) Road repair will begin in our neighborhoods.  There will be some disruption, irritation, and complaints.  How is road repair achieved without this?  There is no hocus-pocus and it is all done in a day.  All that can be said is that it will be done as quickly as possible depending on weather.

    (3) Developers and Developments.  They are not coming; they are here.  To date, there are at least two new subdivisions on the the books.  One will have 90 homes and the other approximately 15 new homes.  Sanctuary and Robertson Ranch both say they are building homes.  Businesses are looking at property up and down I-35.  There will be hours and hours of meetings to answer the demands and protect Salado.

   (4) There is one more major project in the I-35, Salado construction -- the intersection of the library and Cowboys.  This project is 4-6 months and will be complicated since they are destroying the overpass and building a new one approximately 100 yards south of the old one.  Meetings with TXDOT, James Construction, and the Village will be monthly.  The good news is that the major construction will be over between July and September according to both.  In early February, a TXDOT Town Hall meeting will be held for the citizens to hear and ask questions.  

  (5)  The low-water bridge by Sheril Park and the old club house must be cleaned of the debris.  The three permits needed to do it are acquired.  The Aldermen/Alder-Lady will be deciding in January how best to do it.

  (6)  The future of Stage Coach is in the balance of negotiations.  Nothing else can be said except there is no date set when an announcement will be made -- one way or the other.

  (7)  The renovation of the Municipal Building and the moving of the Police Department to the building next door is the best the Village can presently do.  It is hoped that volunteers will give their time in painting, yard work, and moving.  The question is frequently asked why we did not move to the Civic Center.  The simple answer is that we do not have $200,000, the cost to buy 1/3 of the building and another $50,000, our share of repairs.  After looking at all the possibilities, it was the only sensible answer.  This decision was not made lightly.  Hopefully, you will volunteer to help when the time comes.

  (8)  Ordinances.  The first changes will be presented 15 January.  In the future, over 100 ordinances will be reviewed.

  (9)  The organization of the Village office has been major.  Kim and her staff are 60% there, but it has taken weeks and weeks of working through stacks and stacks and stacks of paper.  Many thanks for volunteers.  Enough thanks cannot be expressed to Lindsey, Randy, and Kim who often worked into the midnight hour without pay. For the first time, our records will be on computers as well as filed.  When someone asks for something, we can find it in a matter of minutes.  By Easter, this project will be over and you will have an efficient village office to enjoy the new year.

  (10)  The downtown project will continue with Texas A&M bringing a college architectural class to work on this project.  Salado will be their class assignment for the Spring.  Your input will be asked. Once the assignment is complete, a Town Hall meeting will be held to present their recommendations and ideas to you.  You will always have a say.

  (11)  Discussions on the ETJ will begin in January with the 6-hour Saturday BOA meeting.  The BOA must make some strategic decisions that may or may not be popular.  At all cost, Salado must be protected and do what is in the best interest of Salado.

  The Bottom Line Up Front:  What is done this year will effect Salado for years to come.  We must be spot on; we must listen to you; and in the end we must have the courage to make the right decisions for YOUR future.

   VR/Skip