Catching Up

As summer fades and our wet fall season begins, I wanted to catch up on some of the issues the council and mayor have been dealing with over the last few months. So I read through the meeting minutes to get a little flavor of the discussion the last couple of months. As mentioned previously, I am not able to attend the meetings in person nor devote the time to compile my notes for the blog here. So this is an abbreviated list of the issues I found of interest among the many our leaders are facing. I encourage everyone to attend the meetings yourself and provide your input... Karen

• Garbage rates need to raised significantly. The town's equipment is outdated and labor intensive. Current rates that residents are charged for recycling are less than the actual cost (in effect giving a credit). The town's accounting system has room for 47 different rates, but currently only uses 12 of them. The mayor discussed a 20% increase in June with the potential to eliminate one garbage collector position, but no decision has been reached yet. The issue was on the agenda again at last night's meeting.
• The fire department is looking to sell the 1968 fire engine (not sure if that has been accomplished yet).
• The town hall wants to collect emails so they can notify folks of town announcements or other news. Send your email to the clerk at mesam@townofruston.org.
• Revenue is even less than expected when this year's bleak budget was put together. Property taxes are down 20% and sales tax is 85% less than projected. With Chevron closing B&O taxes will be reduced as well.
• $2,500 was raised from Adirondack Chair project for future art events in town. Chair event organizers Ginger Kryger and Lucy Davis announced they plan a pumpkin carving contest for October.
• The 49th street sewer bids came in higher than expected, with Olson Brothers giving the lowest with $39,378.61.
• The Commencement received funding of $2 million to finish condos. The sale of the first 2 spaces was scheduled to close at the end of July.
• There was concern over the old Coles building raised at one of the meetings. The mayor said the town wants to work with the owners, but all options could be considered such as condemning building if it becomes unsafe.
• The decision to ban card games at the Point Defiance Cafe or anywhere else in Ruston has been given to all of us. The public vote is scheduled for Nov. 2nd. Because this is a regular election for the town, there is no cost to put this issue on ballot.
• Ryan Rhodes and his Pioneer Baseball group decided not to pursue plans to improve Ruston Park.