Bainbridge sets Clean-up Day

BAINBRIDGE -- Free services will be offered to residents of Bainbridge throughout the day on Saturday, May 7 in efforts by the town to provide a virtual spring cleaning for its citizens.

Construction dumpsters, tree-stump removal and volunteers will be available all day at Bainbridge's town hall, located at 201 N. Grant Ave.

Board president Jerry Lents spoke highly in favor of the event, noting that fliers are being mailed out to residents.

"If a resident does need assistance -- if they have something they can't pick up or something like that and need help -- call town hall and we'll get your name on a list," Lents said. " (Clerk-treasurer) Monica Bray has done an excellent job with this."

Bray, who has taken point with the event, said donations of one's time and effort are encouraged.

"We're also looking for volunteers," Bray said. "Anyone who wants to help will be welcome and will become part of the event."

The dumpsters will be made ready for the disposal of "all unwanted junk," with a few exceptions: absolutely no hazardous material will be accepted. This includes household chemicals, oil, oil-based paint, batteries, pesticides, computers, televisions, tires, fertilizers, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers.

Tree-stump removal will also be available. However, if residents are interested in the stump-removal service, they must contact town hall at 522-6238 by Wednesday, April 22 to book a spot.

Meanwhile, Lents went on to include that plastic bottle caps are still being sought by Bainbridge Elementary School for its recycling program.

"Something that's still on the list is something that Tom (Hagymasi) brought up last month -- the caps and lids to donate for these park benches," Lents said of the Park Board chairman. "Medicine bottle caps, flip-top caps, spray paint caps, deodorant caps, yogurt lids, peanut butter jar lids, etc. will be accepted.

"But if anybody wants to donate to help the park out, we'd greatly appreciate that," Lents continued. "We have a place for residents to bring those (items) in here at the office."

In addition to the acceptable items mentioned by Lents, caps and lids from drink bottles, detergents, toothpaste tubes, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ice cream buckets, milk jugs, hairsprays, ointments, mayonnaise jars, butter containers and fabric softeners will be accepted.

For more information, persons may contact town hall at 522-6238.

In other developments:

* Park Board Chairman Hagymasi updated the board on the status of multiple projects concerning the area's parks, including upcoming Arbor Day, tree plantings and sign updates.

Four park benches, two to be repaired, as well as a sign for North Point Park, were purchased recently via approval of the Park Board.

* Town Superintendent Troy Elless gave a utility-board report to the council, citing many preparations for summer.

Mowing, weed-eating and other landscaping is under way now that the weather has turned; and electric and water losses were attributed to faulty detectors (to be replaced within the coming weeks).

* Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick reported no major incidents for the months of March and April, adding that the bulletproof vest issue for the town's police officers is imperative and overdue.

At approximately $800 each, the town must provide these vest "as soon as possible," Fenwick said.

Lents and the board said they would do whatever is necessary to get the vests.

* Two ordinances, 2016-1 and 2016-2, were read aloud for their respective second readings after being adopted last month upon first reading: A blanket bond for insurance-liability and a change in public meeting times were approved.

Beginning with the next town council meeting in May, meeting times will change from 7 p.m. to 6:30.

* Wastewater Planning Commission updates were given by Superintendent Elless, who said testing for the town's water system will hopefully begin in the fall. Lents requested updates and bids were recommended by the rest of the board.

* Online billing for residents' utilities will be available as of May 10, clerk-treasurer Bray said. Residents may also physically drop off their payments (no cash) at the office, which, via 3-0 vote, will have extended office hours from 4 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

* Councilman Joel Thompson discussed street-patching issues, of which he says there are several around town. Speaking to Elless, Thompson said something needs to be done. Elless responded that the issues would immediately become a focus.

The next public meeting for Bainbridge will be on Wednesday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m.