The
Thursday, October 8, 2015
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Porcupines begin district play Page 6A
Two views from on high
Wall’s blueberry jam a hit
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Volume 52, Number 25
$1 Springtown, Texas 76082
PCESD1 adopts budget, tax rate Election looms for Poolville annexation BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN When residents of northern Parker County look at their tax bill, they’ll note one of the the smallest portions goes to Parker County Emergency Services District (PCESD)1. Hopefully, only a scant few will ever discover just how much bang they get from that buck. The PCESD board of directors approved the district’s budget and tax rate during a meeting Monday, Sept. 28. The board adopted a tax rate of 0.0010 (10 cents) per $100 of valuation. That rate has remained the same for at least the past five years, according to PCESD1 Chief Stephen Watson. The total budget for 2015-2016 as adopted by the board is $4.4 million, Watson said. Of that, $1.5 million is allocated to capital expenses, including two new fire stations in the Aledo and Annetta areas, upgrades and additions to both the Springtown and LaJunta fire stations, two new command vehicles and one new
Parker County ESD1 provides fire protection for a large portion of the county but also plays a role in the community. Above, Engine 48 participates in the Springtown Homecoming Parade. Photo by Mark K. Campbell brush truck. The remainder of the budget is dedicated to personnel costs, operations expense and debt service. “Personnel costs have increase about 50 percent over the last two years,” Watson said. “That’s because we’ve increased paid personnel at four of our five department – we’re currently staffed with two paid personnel around the clock plus a paid captain during business hours at the Silver Creek, Aledo, LaJunta and Springtown fire stations. Peaster has two paid personnel on duty during business hours, as well.”
About 9 percent of the total budget is allocated to debt service, Watson added. That goes toward major capital purchases, including four new engines the district has purchased over the last two years. Two new brush trucks the district purchased last year will be unveiled Monday, Oct. 19. Growth of the district appears inevitable – it’s currently planning the addition of about 2,100 homes and an elementary school in the Morning Star addition off Farmer Road about three to four miles north of Aledo. Plus, the Poolville Volunteer Fire
Feeling the rhythm:
Department has petitioned the district for annexation, an issue that will be decided in the Nov. 3 general election. “Other than Reno, Poolville is the only fire department in Parker County that’s not part of an ESD or fully municipally funded,” Watson explained. In the election, voters in the Poolville coverage area will decide whether or not to be annexed into the PCESD1; additionally, voters within PCESD1 must decide whether or not to accept the Poolville area into the district. Both ballot measures must pass in
order for the annexation to take place. “There would be no increase in taxes to residents already in the district, Watson said. “The business model is ‘strength in collaboration,’ meaning that the larger the area we serve, the more widely distributed the cost savings are,” he said, adding that three fire trucks can be purchased at a lower price per truck than purchasing just one truck. “In fact, as we’ve added areas to the district, our response times have decreased dramatically. We’ve also increased the training and capability of volunteers who are responding.”
SHS Drumline continues to grow and challenge itself during 2015 season
BY NATALIE GENTRY The Springtown High School Drumline has taken the 2015 season by the horns. At the Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) Drumline Contest Saturday, Sept. 12 SHS took first place in 4A and won outstanding snares, tenors, cymbals, and front ensemble. “Our score landed us 8th out of 33 overall,” said SHS Percussion Director Chris Mashburn. “Included in that top 10 are some of the best drumlines in the country – all of which came from much The SHS Drumline has learned two separate shows this season. larger schools.” Then on Saturday, Sept. 26 SHS It’s placed in the top 10 drumlines at its last two competitions. Photo courtesy SHS Drumline performed at the Plano Drumline
Contest and took 5th of 17 in its division. “We received multiple nominations for all outstanding sections, as well as nominations for the ‘Drop 6 Award for Outstanding Music Interpretation” Mashburn said. In addition, the SHS Drumline has been accepted to compete at the Percussion Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) Marching Festival in San Antonio Friday, Nov. 13. “This contest is considered to be the national championships of the fall marching activity,” Mashburn said. The SHS PASIC Drumline is made up of a mixture of percussionists, as well as a few wind players performing
on secondary instruments. “These new performers have become vital members of our organization in a very short period of time,” Mashburn noted. “Because of the nature of this competition, the drumline has learned two complete shows this year – a feat not attempted by many programs as it is. “This in itself has been an immense challenge, but as usual, these students have not only risen to the occasion, they’ve flourished,” he continued. “Every judge we have been in front of this year – especially those with ‘national credentials’ – has been blown away with what the SHS Drumline is doing.”
Council gives green light to contracts at Oct. 1 meeting BY NATALIE GENTRY The Springtown city council awarded contracts for multiple projects throughout the city at a special called meeting Thursday, Oct. 1. Although the item did not appear on the agenda for the meeting, Mayor Tom Clayton issued a proclamation recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month prior to addressing the business at hand. Next, Aaron Redder of Freese and Nichols – the city’s engineering firm – presented a recommendation for the construction of the 5th Street ground storage tank construction contract. The engineering firm received two proposals for the project, and after evaluating the applicants, recommended the contract go to Tank and Vessel Builders for $317,500. A provisional amount of $40,000 was allotted to the project in case the existing concrete support ring needs to be replaced. The council voted unanimously in favor of the firm’s recommendation. Springtown City Administrator Doug Hughes introduced the west area manager for Bureau Veritas
to field any questions council members may have had about the inspection company’s proposal. The inspection company’s proposal didn’t include monthly fees, simple fees associated directly with individual inspections as they arise. The vote was again unanimous to award the contract. The final contract awarded address the Tabernacle roofing project. The council voted unanimously to award the contract to Diamond B Roofing and Construction for $38,081, contingent upon the company obtaining the required workers compensation coverage and bonds. The Springtown Police Department presented a proposed ordinance to council that would return wrecker services for department-required tows to a rotating schedule. Police Chief Ed Crowdis said the change will allow the city to ensure the response time to an accident or event is controllable and that the equipment used is kept up to standards. Aaron Redder of Freese and Nichols made the recommendation to award The council voted unanimously to pass the ordi- the 5th Street ground storage tank construction contract to Tank and Vesnance. sel Builders at the Oct. 1 council meeting Photo by Natalie Gentry
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