This is our annual back to school column. From a student point of view the summer is just about over as they will soon be returning to school. From a temperature point of view, summer didn't really get started but I, for one, have enjoyed the cooler temperatures. With the start of school it is an appropriate time to remind all drivers to be more alert for kids especially in the school zone areas. With the kids coming off of summer vacation, possibly going to a new school building, they will also need to be practicing their safety skills in and around the roads and the street crossings. It does help when drivers are more attuned to the start of the school year and can help look out for excited kids that may be darting in and out of traffic (or parked cars).
Now for an update on the various projects in and around the Village! The replacement of the bridge on Harry Land Road is just about complete with the landscaping piece now being worked on. Landscaping does include guard rails so we have a few more weeks before we expect the road to be open (probably mid to late August).
Construction continues in Fletcher Park but is slightly behind schedule due to the rains that we have had (about 22 inches since April). In detail:
- The first parking lot near the intermediate school is under construction.
- The Grand Entryway which includes the archway entrance and bridge over the pond into the pavilion area is in the early stages of construction.
- The bids for the three major buildings (amphitheater, open pavilion, enclosed pavilion) have been awarded and the steel is being fabricated. The contractor thinks they will be done by January 2010. On site construction of the buildings has not started as of August 5.
- Our public works team (who has done a great job moving all of the dirt) is now building the block retaining wall on the northeast side of the pond.
- The contract for the bridges, wooden walkways and some of the trails in the west side of the park have been let and work should begin on that soon, once the retaining wall is in place and back filled.
- The old Sulphur Springs School is still scheduled to be moved to Fletcher Park (from Sulphur Springs Road) however that may be delayed until 2010.
- The Village has purchased initial playground equipment which will be installed in mid-2010. We did not want to install early and then have kids tempted to play in a busy construction area.
