Goessel Fire Dept. reorganizes after chief retires

Goessel?s public works director, Karen Dalke, told the city council at its Jan. 19 meeting that the city had been recognized at the recent firefighters banquet for allowing her to be a volunteer firefighter.

Dalke said that appreciation had been expressed for other firefighters as well.

Councilor Jim Wiens was recognized for 30 years of service as a firefighter, and John Unruh was recognized for 25 years. Wiens is retiring as a firefighter, as well as Larry Jay. Galen Miller is the new fire chief and Matt Voth is the assistant.

Dalke said West Branch Excavating and Abrahams Engine Service were also recognized at the banquet.

Streets discussion

The council again discussed street surfacing. Randy Crawford, representing the Marion County Road and Bridge Department, had attended the December meeting to discuss a ?chip and seal? surface for the three-block portion of State Street that is north of Main Street. The county owns half of that street, and the city owns half.

Crawford had explained that the county would have the material for the chip and seal, but the city would need to build the base, which would require about 40 tons of rock. The city would need to pay the cost of renting a vibrating packer to pack the material.

Since the December meeting, Dalke has checked into the possibility of renting a packer.

The council had also briefly discussed paving the frontage street by the bank and car wash. Residents Wes and Donna Duerksen attended the January meeting to voice opinions about streets.

Donna Duerksen noted the need for paving Poplar Street, in addition to the frontage street. Poplar is the street between the grade school and Bethesda Home. Duerksen said those are two large employers in the city.

Poplar runs from Main Street north to the museum and Threshing Days complex. Duerksen mentioned the large amount of traffic on that street and the large vehicles that drive there en route to the Threshing Days grounds.

She noted that work on the frontage road and Poplar Street would not hinder the school, Bethesda Home or the bank since they each have other entrances that could be used during a construction process.

The Duerksens said paving the frontage street and Poplar Street would benefit city resident taxpayers and would give a positive impression of the town to visitors and the community.

Therefore, the Duerksens requested the city consider paving those two streets rather than using city resident taxes for the section of north State Street that has been discussed.

Other business

In other business, the council:

? noted that Jan. 27 is the deadline for filing for election for city council positions.

? set June 13 as the date for the summer city-wide garage sale.

? heard that the summer curb-side cleanup day will be the weekend after the garage sale. City Clerk Jennifer Whitehead has made arrangements with Waste Connections for Saturday, June 20. A hazardous waste bin will be available the same weekend.

? decided to offer shredding service Monday through Friday, June 8 to 12, and the following week, June 15 to 19. Residents can bring documents to the city building during business hours. Locked containers will be available in the city building.

The containers will be picked up for shredding by Wildcat Shred?ding from Newton on June 12 and 19. The city will pay the cost of $60 for each of those weeks.

? noted that ?this town has really had a lot of business.? Dalke mentioned significant activity at city businesses.

? heard from Councilor Larry Schmidt that recycling is ?going well.? He has checked on the recycling bins most evenings. He said six people had brought recycling materials during the time he was there on a recent Saturday. Those people expressed appreciation for the service.

? heard the Christ?mas decorations have been taken down. ?We had a lot of good comments about the new decorations,? Dalke said.

? noted that it is the responsibility of residents to insulate their own water meter so it will not freeze in cold weather.

? heard that no fire hydrants had frozen during the recent cold weather. Dalke is working on insulating the hydrants.

? heard that the library door has been fixed. House of Glass from Newton did the work.

? heard that the city?s road grader had been repaired; it needed a new fuel pump.

? heard that the city?s mower needs repair.

? heard a heater had been installed in city shop.

? heard that some towns can?t afford the cost of surfaced streets and are going back to rock streets.

? noted that more asphalt millings had been applied to Goessel?s streets. Councilor Larry Lindeman commended Dalke for the asphalt millings. Councilor Rollin Schmidt agreed that the millings are helpful.

? briefly discussed the June 2014 water tower inspection that revealed a few spots in the water tower that will need to be fixed eventually. The cost would be $2,875. The council decided to look into the matter again at a later date.

? reviewed the decision to replace the original flooring in certain areas of the city building. Those areas will be measured and plans are moving forward for new flooring.

? heard that the spring conference for city clerks will be March 11 to 13. Whitehead will attend.

? heard that Dalke will attend the Kansas Rural Water Association training at Century II in Wichita.

? set Tuesday, Feb. 17, as the date of the February meeting since the regular Monday date falls on a federal holiday, and offices will be closed that day.

? passed a reserve fund resolution, noting that the state requires a five-year plan.

? decided to purchase a Santa suit to be used at Christmas time when children come to the city building to visit with Santa.

More from Cynthia Goerzen
Goessel benefits from church ‘community service day’
The Free Press Goessel Public Works Director Karen Dalke expressed appreciation during...
Read More