MERRIAM HIGHLIGHTS - WINTER 2010

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MERRIAM HIGHLIGHTS

Merriam Police Department employs online reporting The Merriam Police Department is working with Copligic Inc. to provide the ci zens with access to an internet crime repor ng system. Coplogic was launched in October of 2010. Ci zens are now able to go to the Merriam Police Department webpage and report minor crimes, suspicious ac vity, and give ps on crime directly to the Merriam Police Department. This will allow ci zens to report certain types of criminal ac vity on their me

frame without going to the police sta on or wai ng for an oﬃcer to arrive at their home or business. To file a report, go to the Merriam Police web page, www.merriam.org/MPD. Near the center of the page you will find a bu on that reads, “File a Report Online”. Click on that bu on, read the informa on on the page, and then select the type of report you want to make at the bo om of the page. Once you select a type of report you will

Published for Merriam Residents & Businesses

be directed to the star ng page so you can begin your report. Just follow the direc ons on each page. Once you are finished, you can print a temporary copy. The report will later be reviewed by the records division and once approved, a final copy will be e-mailed to you at no cost.

Do Your Part: Put fallen leaves to good use But you can’t just let them pile up. You need a mulching mower with a bag a achment to chop the leaves into smaller pieces so they don’t smother the plants or turf in your yard. Start by raking the leaves out of your shrub or flower beds. The object is to get all of the leaves onto a grassy or otherwise flat surface.

Important City Numbers City Administra on ............................. 913-322-5500 Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM • Temporary Parking / Block Party Permits • Garage Sale Permits • Dog & Cat Licensing • Mee ng Agendas & Minutes

Municipal Court .................................. 913-322-5540 Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM • Traﬃc Ticket Informa on • Court Appearances Parks & Recrea on (Community Center) ... 913-322-5550 Monday - Thursday 8 AM - 9 PM Friday 8 AM - 5 PM Saturday 8 AM - 4 PM Sunday 1 - 5 PM Police Department.............................. 913-322-5560 Monday 8 AM - 6 PM Tuesday - Friday 7 AM - 9 PM Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM

their annual ritual of showering us with leaves of orange, yellow, crimson and brown. Cooler weather and the changing of the seasons mean the falling of leaves and fall yard work.

Animal Control ................................... 913-322-5581 Non-Emergency Dispatch ................... 913-782-0720 Emergency ...........................................................911 Public Works Department .................. 913-322-5570 Monday - Friday 7 AM - 3:30 PM • Park & Street Maintenance • Traﬃc Signals & Signs • Large Item Clean-up Campaign

Most residents will spend at least some me raking fallen leaves. But this year, why not turn autumn’s bounty into beneficial mulch for your own yard and garden, while doing your part to create less waste and pollu on? Leaves are too good to waste. They contain beneficial nutrients, that break down into an excellent soil condi oner and improve the natural habitat for beneficial insects and na ve birds in your yard.

Use the mulching mower to chop the leaves into smaller pieces. Once the bag is full simply pour the leaf mulch into your flower beds, natural areas or vegetable garden. The mulch can be applied several mes over the season but you shouldn’t let the depth exceed four inches at any one me. You can also use the mulching mower without the bag a achment to add a light layer of nitrogen-rich leaf mulch to the turf areas in your yard. Turning leaves into mulch is beneficial in so many ways. The mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and insulates plants from extreme winter temperatures.

This will help a ract worms and other beneficial organisms that will create a healthier growing environment in your flower beds and vegetable gardens. Several inches of leaf mulch in your flower beds can a ract ground-feeding birds searching for seeds and insects. You can also use a thick applica on of leaf mulch to form a mud-free path through your garden or vegetable patch. Even if you don’t use the leaves to make mulch, collec ng and keeping leaves oﬀ the street is good for everyone. Leaves create slippery condi ons for drivers and bike riders when it rains. Mounds of leaves can also clog local storm drains, crea ng dangerous high water condi ons on roadways during a heavy downpour.

Leaf mulch will also decompose over the winter, turning into an excellent condi oner for the warming spring soil.

Merriam Governing Body Ken Sissom, Mayor ............................. 913-523-5357 Bryan Burks, Ward 1 ........................... 913-262-6546 Chad Rowe, Ward 1 ............................ 913-831-0144 Dan Leap, Ward 2 ............................... 913-362-5004 John Crabtree, Ward 2 ........................ 913-522-8654 Nancy Hupp, Ward 3 .......................... 913-831-4471 Chris Hands, Ward 3 ........................... 913-384-5340 Gayle Stephens, Ward 4 ..................... 913-789-7958 Pam Bertoncin, Ward 4....................... 913-269-9518

Cleaning up autumn leaves doesn’t have to be a big chore. Turn that mound of work into beneficial mulch and feel good about doing your part to turn waste into a usable product that nurtures your garden and our planet. CITY OF MERRIAM, KANSAS 9000 W. 62ND TERRACE MERRIAM, KS 66202-2815

Fire Department ................................. 913-322-5530 • Burning Permits • First Aid/CPR/Baby-si ng Classes • Fire Preven on & Home Safety Evalua ons • Smoke Detector Installa on (ba ery only)

The trees have begun

PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 576 SHAWNEE MISSION, KS

Community Development .................. 913-322-5520 Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM • Flood Plain & Zoning Ques ons • Capital Improvement Program • Building & Sign Permits • Occupa onal Licenses • Code Enforcement

WINTER 2010

The City appreciates our residents’ eﬀorts in maintaining their yards and keeping the neighborhoods of Merriam beau ful!

www.merriam.org | (913) 322-5500 | CityofMerriam@merriam.org

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Changes to pet licensing requirements become effective January 1st

A message from Mayor Sissom As your mayor, I would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. As you read through this newsle er, you will learn that your City Council and staﬀ has worked hard to keep city spending to a minimum, without any sacrifice in the city services that we have all come to enjoy and expect here in Merriam. It has not been easy. The na onal economy remains stagnant and we con nue to plod along, working toward ge ng our two large shopping centers developed. I am proud to report that the City of Merriam is in an enviable posi on, during this me of economic downturn. This is true, in part, due to the many successful businesses that are located in our city. The 2011 mill levy will remain virtually

unchanged. There are no planned employee layoﬀs, and our Capital Improvement Program is s ll on the schedule. The sales tax generated in our business community is what helps our city remain resilient. So, do your part this holiday season! You can further help the city by patronizing Merriam businesses as much as possible. If you plan to buy a car, shop for that new wardrobe, see a movie, or just stock up on groceries – do it right here in your home town. I also want to remind everyone that I am making myself available to anyone who wishes a private mee ng with the Mayor. I will be at City Hall one hour before every council mee ng (2nd and 4th Mondays of each month), if you wish to meet. It will be arranged on a first come, first served basis.

You may also call me at 913-523-5357 or send me an e-mail at mayors@merriam.org, if you would like to set up a mee ng or if you have any comments, ques ons or concerns. In conclusion, I would like to state that 2010 has been a great year for Merriam, thus far. I would also like to invite you all down to the Merriam Marketplace on December 4th at 6 PM. to help me light the Mayor’s Christmas tree. It is a rumored that there may be a visit by a big guy in a red suit, so bring the kids. I look forward to mee ng many of you in the future. Together we can work to keep our city a great place to live and work.

To help you be er understand the changes that were implemented, we have included answers to some of our most frequently asked ques ons: What changed? • Beginning January 1, 2011 all pet license fees are due on January 1st of each year (previously the licensing period ran congruent with your rabies vaccine -- new regula ons will move toward calendar year licensing). • A late fee penalty of $2 per month will be added to all delinquent pet licensing fees for failure to renew by January 15th each year. • A new mul -year fee schedule provides a significant discount for those with mul - year vaccina ons.

At 6:00 PM, we’ll oﬃcially kick oﬀ the holiday season with the ligh ng of the Mayors’ Christmas tree, followed by a visit from Santa. Bring the en re family for this fes ve holiday event.

provided by local musicians, and there will be a visit by Santa. Sea ng is limited for this event and is specified for Merriam residents only.

Cold weather won’t cancel these events, just add to the atmosphere. Hot chocolate and a warming fire will be available.

A limited number of reserved seat dinner ckets will be available for distribu on at the Irene B. French Community Center beginning Monday, November 15th. There is a limit of four ckets per Merriam household, please bring proof of Merriam residency to obtain your ckets.

he City of Merriam invites you to make plans for an evening of holiday cheer and fes vi es on Saturday, December 4th in downtown Merriam.

Immediately following the tree ligh ng, Merriam residents are invited to a buﬀet dinner, hosted by members of the Downtown Merriam Partnership and area businesses.

There is no charge for the ckets, however, dona ons of non-perishable food items will be collected and given to a local area food bank.

At 5:30 PM we will begin the evening with a candy cane hunt at the Merriam Marketplace (5740 Merriam Drive). Children ages one to seven are encouraged to bring their flashlight.

Sea ng for the dinner will begin at 6:30 PM at the Irene B. French Community Center (5701 Merriam Drive); serving will begin at 7:00 PM. Musical entertainment will be

For more informa on about these events, please call 913-322-5550 or visit www.merriam.org/park.

We will also enjoy holiday music performed by the Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Chamber Choir.

All pets over 6 months old must be licensed. Proof of rabies vaccina on is required. Are cats required to be licensed? Yes, cats over 6 months old are required to be licensed with the City.

12 days of social media holiday cheer! In an a empt to reach a larger “fanbase“ online u lizing social media, we are launching the “12 days of holiday cheer” from December 1st – 16th (12 business days). During the contest, each day we will draw one random new “fan” to win the daily prize.

By Phone: Have your vet fax the proof of rabies vaccina on (913-3225505) and your credit or debit card payment can be processed over the phone, the pet license will be mailed. What do I do if my pet is lost? If your animal is licensed and wearing its city-issued tag, we will make every a empt to contact you. You can also call the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5581, or Animal Haven 913-432-7548, all animals picked up by the Merriam Community Services Oﬃcers are transported to Animal Haven. I found a stray animal, who do I call? If the animal has a Merriam Pet License you may call Merriam City Hall to locate its owner. Otherwise call the Merriam Police Department at 913-322-5560.

Are pit bulls allowed in Merriam? There is no breed ban in Merriam, however all dogs are required to be licensed. What is the cost to license my pet? Spayed or neutered pets: $10 for a one-year license; $16 for a twoyear license; and $24 for a three-year license. Unaltered pets: $30 for a one-year license; $48 for a two-year license,; and $72 for a three-year license. You may only apply for mul -year licenses if your pet has received a mul -year rabies vaccina on. Please inquire about this op on at your veterinarian oﬃce.

Yes, pets not licensed by January 15th of each year will be subject to a $2 penalty per month, per license.

On the final day, all new “fans” will be entered into the final drawing…a hotel, dining and holiday cheer package valued at over $250. st

Entering is simple…star ng December 1 , go to www.facebook.com/ExploreMerriam and just click “Like” and that’s it…you’re entered! If you are drawn as a daily winner between December 1st and 16th, we will no fy you through Facebook with instruc ons for

claiming your prize! Un l then, we invite you to check out our website for holiday visitor specials, upcoming events, and recent news -- www.exploremerriam.com Happy Holidays from your friends at the Merriam Visitors Bureau!

What can I do about a neighbor’s barking dog? Con nued barking and howling could be considered a nuisance, call the Merriam Police Department’s Community Service Oﬃcer at 913322-5581. Is there a leash law in Merriam?

How many pets am I allowed to have? Eﬀec ve January 1, 2011 you are allowed to have two dogs and three cats per address. A third dog and/or a fourth cat may be allowed with a special pet permit.

Is there a late fee?

The Merriam Visitors Bureau invites residents, visitors, neighbors and businesses to join us in our first ever Facebook contest.

By Mail: You may submit the registra on form, proof of rabies vaccina on, and proper fee to Merriam City Clerk, 9000 W. 62nd Terrace, Merriam, KS 66202.

I just got a new pet, how long before I need to register it?

Old-fashioned holiday celebration in downtown Merriam

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The Merriam City Council recently approved changes to Merriam’s pet licensing program. The new regula ons will take eﬀect on January 1, 2011.

What are the licensing requirements for my pet? Registra on form, proof of current rabies vaccina on, and payment of the proper fee is all that is required to license your pet. Where do I go to license my pet? In person: Bring proof of rabies vaccina on from your vet’s oﬃce to the Administra on Oﬃce located in the lower level of Merriam City Hall, 9000 W. 62nd Terrace (M-F 8:00 AM TO 4:30 PM).

Yes, any dog not leashed or under the control of its owner by an electronic training collar is considered to be running at large, which is a viola on of the law. Please call the Community Service Officer at 913-322-5581 to report animals at large. Does Merriam have a “pooper scooper” law? Yes, allowing your pet to defecate upon any public or private property other than your own, without immediate removal, is considered a nuisance. If you have addi onal ques ons regarding Merriam’s pet licensing program, please call the City Clerk’s office at 913-322-5500, or the Community Services Officer at the Merriam Police Department, 913322-5581.

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Building the 2011 Budget The City’s 2011 opera ng and capital improvement budget was approved by City Council in July with a focus on delivering quality City services and programs while balancing reduced revenues. PrioriƟes and Values – The 2011 budget process began in March with discussion and review of City Council goals and priori es. These are the goals which provided direc on for the 2011 budget: 1. 2.

Intensify code enforcement Con nue community development

3. 4. 5.

Enhance ci zen advocacy Promote economic development Administra ve focus

6. 7.

Encourage sustainability Improve planning processes

(sustaining infrastructure)

(review of City codes and ordinances)

(update the Twenty-Year Comprehensive Plan)

Make Your Holiday Memorable for the Right Reasons

Budget Challenges – The recent recession and its lingering eﬀects have created significant challenges for the City. The 1% city sales/use tax declined over $500,000 from 2008 to 2009 due to reduced consumer spending. Sales tax collec ons for 2010 and 2011 are projected to remain at these lower levels. Property tax collec ons have fallen over 6% due to declines in taxable property values. As a result, Merriam will collect almost $300,000 less in property taxes in 2011 than collected in 2009 on approximately the same mill. Responses to Budget Challenges – The City has taken several steps to adapt to falling revenues including: suspension of funding for five staﬀ posi ons; limi ng employee merit increases; reduc on of general fund contribu ons to the capital improvement program; and suspension of funding for the EasyRide bus service.

Summary – While Merriam has been impacted by the recent recession, we have reason for op mism. Merriam has the advantage of having one of the strongest retail business communi es in the State of Kansas, with a pull factor of 3.08. In January, 2010 Merriam voters approved a new ¼ cent sales tax which will generate approximately $1 million per year for street and stormwater improvements. Finally, because Merriam has maintained adequate reserves and a conserva ve approach to budge ng, we are well-posi oned to manage toward the “new normal” that will occur as the economy moves out of the recent recession. For more details on the City’s 2011 budget, visit h p://merriam.org/faq/budget.htm.

Capital Improvement Updates The City Council and staﬀ are commi ed to be ering Merriam though public infrastructure improvements. The City’s capital improvement program (CIP) consists of street improvements, drainage enhancements, park improvements and facility improvements. It is an aggressive plan that impacts every corner of the City. Here is an update on the projects currently underway in our CIP oﬃces: ResidenƟal Street Group III (South) - 66th Terrace, Hemlock Street, Goodman Drive and Hardy Street west of Craig Road are nearing comple on. Residents have received reforesta on forms to replace the trees displaced as part of the construc on project. Reforesta on will be completed this fall/

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Holiday celebra on and joy can quickly turn to sorrow and anguish if a fire occurs in your home. The Merriam Fire Department would like you to have a safe holiday season. A few moments of cau on and reviewing the following safety ps, may help you and your family avoid a holiday catastrophe. Trees: If you display a live tree, select one with needles that are flexible and hard to pull from the branch. The tree trunk should be s cky to the touch. Live trees should be displayed in a deep sturdy stand, and the tree should be provided with a constant supply of water. Remove the tree from your home soon a er the holidays. Always keep trees away from heat sources such as radiators, space heaters and fireplaces. Ar ficial trees should bear the UL label and should be fire resistant. Lights: Use only UL listed lights. Check for cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connec ons. Discard all damaged light sets. Use no more than three sets of lights per extension cord. Outdoor lights should be listed for that use. Do not overload circuits.

DecoraƟons: Avoid decora ons that are sharp or breakable. Keep small ornaments out of reach of children and do not use ornaments that resemble food or candy. Candles: Lighted candles should never be used on or near a tree. Always keep candles away from decora ons and wrapping paper, and always ex nguish candles before leaving the house or going to bed. Only light candles in the room you are in. When you go out – put it out. Fireplaces: Inspect and clean chimneys and fireplaces annually and burn well seasoned wood. Dispose of ashes in a metal container stored outside. Use a fireplace screen and install a spark arrestor on top of the chimney. Do not hang stockings or put greenery on top of the mantel. Space Heaters: Maintain a 3-foot clearance around space heaters and plug them directly into a wall receptacle. You should turn oﬀ or unplug heaters when they are not in use or when you are going to sleep.

Smoke Alarms: Help insure your safety and the safety of your family by installing a smoke alarm on each level of the home and inside of each sleeping room. Check it monthly and replace ba eries twice a year. Smoke alarms need to be replaced every ten years. Don’t forget to develop and prac ce a fire escape plan. We may be reached at (913) 322-5530 if you have any addi onal ques ons or concerns. Visit our website, www.merriam.org/MFD, to learn more. We wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

winter. ResidenƟal Street Group III (North) 63rd Terrace, 64th Street, 65th Street and Hardy Street, all west of Craig Road, are in final engineering design. Residents may have no ced surveyors, engineers, and u lity companies inspec ng the streets and adjacent proper es. U lity companies will begin reloca on of u li es in conflict with the project this fall/winter. Construc on of the street and drainage improvement will begin in the spring, 2011. 47th Street/County Line between Switzer Road and AnƟoch Road - Construc on has been completed successfully and the road is open to regular traﬃc. Reforesta on eﬀorts will con nue through this fall/winter where

Holiday safety tips from the Merriam P.D. residents will receive replacement trees/ shrubs that were displaced as part of the construc on.

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Shawnee Mission Parkway Bridge at MasƟn Road - Contractor poured concrete on the deck of the bridge during an overnight closure of Shawnee Mission Parkway at Mas n in September. The project is expected to complete by November, 2010.

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For more informa on on these and all CIP related projects, please call 322-5522.

Is your neighborhood in the dark? Ligh ng the way for drivers and pedestrians, streetlights are vital to our everyday lives. The Merriam Public Works Department maintains the street ligh ng system for the City of Merriam. Every eﬀort is made to iden fy lights that are out of service, and maintenance is carried out daily.

We appreciate your help in iden fying lights that are malfunc oning or in need of repair. The sooner we know they are out, the sooner we can get them fixed! Also, don’t forget -- safety first! We appreciate your help, but it is important that you do not put yourself in harm’s way when

no ng street light outages. If you no ce that a street light in your neighborhood is out, cycling on and oﬀ, or burning con nuously, please contact the Merriam Public Works Department at 322-5570.

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his holiday season, don’t let the spirit of giving lull you into giving burglars, muggers, and pickpockets a be er chance to do their dirty work. Crooks love the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because • it’s an opportune me for crime. Homes jam-packed with gli ering gi s. Stores, malls, and downtown streets teeming • with unsuspec ng shoppers. People rushing around, stressed out and careless, looking for last-minute gi s, trying to get everything done. It’s enough to make a crook giddy with • holiday joy. Here are some ps on how to celebrate safely this holiday season: • • When shopping, be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.

Don’t allow your a en on to become distracted from your purse or packages. Always lock your car, make sure your windows are closed, and lock packages in the trunk. Don’t stack gi s under your Christmas tree or in front of windows where people can look in and see. Don’t put empty boxes from new big screen TVs, Wiis, and other expensive items out on the curb for trash pickup. Cut them into small pieces and recycle or put them in trash bags before placing curbside. Don’t tell your friends on Facebook, MySpace, etc. about the great gi s you’ve go en this year (you may be adver sing to someone who isn’t really your friend). Keep lights on when it’s dark out...both inside and outside. Put them on a mer if you get home late from work, are traveling, etc. Don’t let strangers in...no ma er what their story may be. Oﬀer to call 911 for someone who says they’re in a crisis. Call the police if you see suspicious ac vity, including someone driving slowly around the neighborhood, someone at a neighbor’s home when they are not home, etc.

• Don’t tell everyone you’ll be out of town...never post travel details on social networking spaces like Facebook, personal Blogs, etc. • Let the Police know if you’ll be out of town by filling out a House Check program. Fill it out in the oﬃce during business hours; or you can download it ahead of me from the police department’s website, www. merriam.org/MPD. • Prevent a tragedy by keeping your doors locked when you are at home, as well as away from home. It is vital to keep garages locked as well. Many illegal entries are made through garage doors that connect to homes. Burglars may not always care if someone is home or not. • Don’t leave wallets and purses near any doors. They are too easy to see through windows and doors. • Be sure your kids follow the same safety advise that you do...ge ng everyone on the same page will increase safety for all. For addi onal ways you can protect your family and stay safe this holiday season, contact the Merriam Police Department at 322-5560, or visit www.merriam.org/MPD.

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Keep your home warm and your energy bills low

Merriam’s snow removal program City workers plow and remove approximately fi y tons of material with each sweep of the city.

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now removal season is bearing in upon us. Shortly, autumn leaves and longer days will be le behind. When winter weather strikes, the Public Works Department is put on alert.

City staﬀ will use four full size dump trucks, a smaller dump truck for cul-de-sacs, and a loader to handle the salt and sand needed to clear Merriam’s roads.

In prepara on for this year’s snowfall, the Merriam Public Works Department recently held its annual snow removal seminar.

During normal work hours, sal ng begins as soon as freezing precipita on occurs. At night and on weekends, one hour is necessary to assemble crews and begin work.

This internal training exercise is conducted to update drivers on snow removal procedures and areas of coverage throughout the city.

Plowing the main streets and emergency routes begins as soon as there is a plowable depth on the street surfaces and traﬃc condi ons permit.

Each winter, two six-men crews remove snow and ice from 123 lane miles of roadway.

Once plowing begins, the routes will be plowed con nuously un l the snowfall lets up and

there isn’t enough snow le on the pavement to make plowing eﬀec ve. The main thoroughfare street plowing starts when snow depth reaches two inches. It takes about an hour to salt, and two hours to plow each cycle. Our goal is to clear the snow down to bare pavement, curb to curb. The residen al streets are treated a er the main thoroughfare streets are in good condi on. It takes roughly three hours to sand and four hours to plow these streets each cycle. We are aware of certain loca ons on the residen al streets that are known to be dangerous when it snows. A one-ton truck equipped with a small salt spreader is available to handle such calls. These

loca ons (hills, intersec ons, schools, hospitals, and bridges) are salted while working on the main thoroughfares. Other loca ons can be called into our Public Works oﬃce at 322-5570. To clear all streets adequately, the City requests that residents not park on cul-de-sacs and dead end streets. If a vehicle is parked in hard to reach areas, the plowing will not be done in that area. Our staﬀ takes pride in providing the best snow removal of any of the surrounding ci es. We want to con nue to maintain the reputa on we’ve achieved. For addi onal informa on about the City’s snow removal program, call the Merriam Public Works Department at 322-5570.

Christmas tree disposal schedule The City of Merriam will conduct its annual tree pick-up to assist ci zens and businesses in the disposal of holiday trees. There will be a one- me pickup in your area as scheduled below. Trees are to be placed curb side by 7:00 AM on the scheduled day of pickup. • Monday, January 3rd - North side of 75th Street to south

side of 67th Street, and east of Switzer to the west side of An och. • Tuesday, January 4th - North side of 67th Street to south side of Johnson Drive, and east of Switzer to the west side of An och. th

• Wednesday, January 5 North side of 67th Street to south side of 54th Terrace, and

east of An och to the west side of Lowell. • Thursday, January 6th - North side of Johnson Drive to south side of 53rd Street, and east of Switzer to west side of An och. • Friday, January 7th - North side of 53rd Street to south side of 47th Street, and east of Sw zer to the west side of An och.

Should snowfall occur, the alterna ve dates for the pickup will be January 10th - 14th. If you have ques ons or need assistance, please call Public Works at 322-5570.

City offers franchise fee rebate program This program provides Merriam families, whose income falls within the limits established by HUD, the opportunity to The City of Merriam will once again, be apply for a refund of the franchise fees paid accep ng applica ons for the franchise fee on electricity, gas and telephone bills during rebate program. 2010. This fee rebate program is a city-funded Star ng February 1, 2011, those wishing to project, implemented by Mayor Sissom and par cipate should contact the Community the Merriam City Council. This year will mark Development Department at 913-322-5520 the 29th year that this program has been between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday oﬀered to Merriam residents.

through Friday, to request an applica on form. Applica ons must be accompanied by all 2010 gas, electric and telephone invoices, along with proof of income for all household members. For proof of income, residents can provide their 2010 W-2 or income tax forms, or social security papers as well as all 1099’s, Interest, Pensions, Annui es, and Dividend Statements. Applica ons will be accepted February 1, 2011 through May 1, 2011.

So you’ve pulled your sweaters out of mothballs and found your mi ens at the bo om of the coat closet. But what about your house -- is it prepared for the cold months ahead? You’ll be a lot less comfortable in the coming months if you haven’t properly prepared your home sweet home for Old Man Winter. With the help of several experts, we’ve boiled down your to-do list to 10 easy ps: 1. Clean those guƩers... Once the leaves fall, remove them and other debris from your home’s gu ers -- by hand, using a good scraper or spatula, followed by a good hose rinse so that winter’s rain and mel ng snow can drain. Clogged drains can form ice dams, in which water backs up, freezes A hair dryer is then used to shrink-wrap the shee ng onto the window. and causes water to seep into the house. It’s temporary and it’s not pre y, but it’s inexpensive (about $4 a As you’re hosing out your gu ers, look for leaks and misaligned window) and it’s extremely effec ve. pipes. Also, make sure the downspouts are carrying water away from the house’s founda on, where it could cause flooding or other water 7. Don’t forget the chimney... Don’t put off your chimney needs before using your fireplace. Call damage. a chimney sweep to have your fireplace inspected and cleaned to 2. Find & block common leaks...One of the best ways to winterize your remove soot and creosote. home is to simply block obvious leaks around your house, both inside To keep out cold air, fireplace owners should keep their chimney’s and out. damper closed when the fireplace isn’t in use. And for the same Buy door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or reason, wood stove owners should have glass doors on their stoves, apply tacky rope caulk to those dra y spots. Outlet gaskets can easily and keep them closed when the stove isn’t in use. be installed in electrical outlets that share a home’s outer walls, where Another p: Buy a protec ve cap for your chimney, with a screen. cold air o en enters. This will help keep leaves and other debris out. Outside, seal leaks with weather-resistant caulk. For brick areas, use 8. Reverse that fan... masonry sealer, which will be er stand up to freezing and thawing. By reversing its direc on from the summer opera on, the fan will 3. Insulate yourself... push warm air downward and force it to recirculate, keeping you more Proper insula on can make all the difference. Make sure you have the comfortable. Here’s how you know the fan is ready for winter: as you addi onal a c and wall insula on you need to keep your house warm. look up, the blades should be turning clockwise. Regardless of the climate condi ons you live in, you need a minimum of 12 inches of insula on in your a c. Not sure the right amount? A 9. Wrap those pipes... simple rule of thumb: If you go into the a c and you can see the ceiling A burst pipe caused by a winter freeze is a nightmare. Prevent it before joists you know you don’t have enough, because a ceiling joist is at Jack Frost sets his grip: Before freezing nights hit, make certain that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff most 10 or 11 inches. valve), and that the lines are drained. 5. Get your ducts in a row... According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central Next, go looking for other pipes that aren’t insulated, or that pass hea ng can lose up to 60% of its heated air before that air reaches through unheated spaces -- pipes that run through crawlspaces, the vents if duct work is not well-connected and insulated, or if it basements or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber must travel through unheated spaces. That’s a huge amount of wasted sleeves or fiberglass insula on, available at hardware stores. money, not to men on a chilly house. 10. Finally, check those alarms... Ducts also should be vacuumed once every few years, to clean out the This is a great me to check and change the ba eries on your home’s abundant dust, animal hair and other gunk that can gather in them and smoke detectors. Fire officials recommend replacing detectors every ten years. cause respiratory problems. Check to see that your fire ex nguisher is s ll where it should be, and 6. Face your windows... s ll works. Now, of course, is the me to take down the window screens and put up storm windows, which provide an extra layer of protec on and Also, invest in a carbon-monoxide detector; every home should have warmth for the home. Storm windows are par cularly helpful if you at least one. Install the detector near your furnace and / or water heater. have old, single-pane glass windows. Consider buying a window insulator kit. The kit includes plas c You’ll get a season’s worth of savings and peace of mind by taking a shee ng that’s affixed to a window’s interior with double-s ck tape. few steps in the fall to get your home ready for cold weather.

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