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President Doris Brewer called the
meeting to order and introduced the guest speakers who presented the
plan for a major improvement in our neighbourhood which was very
interesting.
Butch Eder, CIP Manager who oversees
Capital Improvements for the City of Germantown, Bo Mills, Director of
Public Services for the City of Germantown Ben Pearson and James
Simpson from Allen and Hoshall Engineering.
Mr. Mills gave a summation of the
history and background of waste water and sewer management in the City
of Germantown. Years ago an agreement was made with the City
of Memphis to treat our sewage. This was a very wise decision because
Germantown has been spared the expense of building and continually
upgrading and enlarging a sewage treatment plant of our own.
In the last several years, the capacity
of the pipes running into Memphis has not been adequate. The pipes are
often running three-fourths or more full which is an unacceptable flow
level. This problem exists in the north end of Miller Farms. Allen and
Hoshall Engineering along with the Public Services department have
studied, evaluated and have come to a solution for this problem with
the most minimal interruption to life in our neighbourhood.
The solution is to install a by-pass
system of pipes to relieve the overload of existing pipes. In
exploring ways to do the project without upsetting the neighbourhood
too much, a recommendation to use a boring machine (aero-bore) will be
followed. They bore underneath instead of digging pipes up. The flow
must be graded.
The path of the work will begin on
Neshoba near Old Mill to Miller Farms, north on Miller Farms, west on
Apple Valley to the dead end. A pumping station will be
installed on the Fulmer property at that point. Landscaping
and a privacy fence will also be installed. The pipeline will then run
north on the Fulmer property along the property line to a point west
along Fulmer property line then north to cross Wolf River Blvd to join
existing pipeline. (A photo will be posted on our webpage)
The pump will be a large capacity,
underground, with upsizing capabilities if need in the future. There
are 26 pump stations in Germantown; some located between houses in
neighbourhoods, whose households are not even aware of them. The
structure will be seismically correct. Twelve-inch, double-lined pipes
will be used.
There will be NO STREET CLOSINGS during
this work; instead, lane closings will be utilized to allow for the
needed machinery and work crews. Plans are to take bids in January and
begin work in the Spring. The majority of the work will be done during
the summer months to try to avoid school traffic. Expected time frame
is three to four months of work with normal construction traffic,
noise, etc. The boring process reduces the amount of mess.
Workers are on sight from 7:00 am to
6:00 pm.
The cost of the project, $1,300,000, is
covered by our sewer fees which include the cost of
maintenance, improvements and infrastructure replacement in
the budget. No taxes used.
Sarah Freeman complimented Mr. Mills on
the good work his department does, and the group gave them a nice
ovation.
Doris called attention to the nice
article in the Commercial Appeal today about our neighbor, Fred Akil,
closing his business, Cottage House Antiques.
Congratulations to our association upon
being awarded Neighbourhood of
the Year at the Neighborhood
Summit on Nov. 6. Our own Don Lossing received the Neighbour
of the Year award. Way to go! We
appreciate the good work of our members and our executive committee. We
get to ride on the Home Depot float in the Germantown Christmas parade
on Dec. 10 at 2:00 as winners. Whoopee!
The minutes of the May 19, 2011 meeting
were approved with the addition of “motion carried”
on the motion regarding a memorial gift.
Jennifer distributed copies of the
financial report. Our bank balance is currently $2,985.53.
Sarah, our CONA representative, reported
that we should be watchful at Riverdale Park. Some vandalism has been
reported. Also, now is the time to make application for the City of
Germantown boards and commissions. It is important for our
neighbourhood to have representatives in these groups. Go to the city
website for more information. A new educational venture, Bobby Lanier
Park, (formerly Ocean View Park) is being “built”
on Poplar Pike near the soccer field and Union University
area. It will be a working farm with animals, etc. Volunteer
participation is encouraged. Regarding the school situation:
a study being conducted will be complete in January. We need to get
informed about the possibility of Germantown becoming a separate school
district. Chuck suggested that we get Ken Hoover to come speak to our
association, possibly in February, 2012.
Election: Twyla moved and
Sarah seconded that the nominations of Willadean Thrasher for Vice
President and Jennifer Baker for treasurer be accepted and that they
both be elected by acclamation. Motion carried.
Congratulations and thanks for serving.
We now need a membership chairman, the
position now vacated by Willadean. We are also still looking
for a Neighbourhood Watch Captain. It would be great if some
good people would step forward to help!
Michelle Barford and Betty Sumler have
started bunko groups and both groups are having a great time. More can
join!
Our association will have a holiday
cookie exchange get-together on Thursday evening, Dec. 15. We
will meet at Nick & Becky Dunn's (7484 Mill Run) around 6:30
for nibbles and beverages, then walk over to Charlie & Alinda
Fahrenkoph's (7454 Mill Run) for dessert and the cookie swap.
Here's how it works: bring three dozen of your favourite
holiday cookies and we'll swap cookies and you go home with three dozen
different cookies! We will need folks to bring appetizer
kinds of food to the Dunn's and some extra cookies to eat at the
Fahrenkoph's. This will be a fun holiday time together. It
would be helpful to our hosts if you will let us know you're coming.
Becky at 624-8340, Alinda at 755-2790 or Twyla or Doris.
The tree lighting will happen on Nov. 25
at 5:00.
Meeting adjourned with sixteen members
present.
Recorded
by Twyla Dixon, secretary
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