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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
November 30, 2006 |
Jones County Trash May be Transported to Linn County
by Michelle Phillips |
The trash generated by Jones County residents may end up at a new location, the Linn County landfill.
At their November meeting, the Linn County Landfill Board voted to take in trash from Jones County should the Jones County Landfill Board reach an agreement with Linn County. The landfill boards have scheduled a meeting for next week to discuss details.
Stuart Ireland, Jones County Landfill Board Chairperson, said the county is not considering building a new landfill because it is too costly.
“The cost of a new landfill is slightly over $3 million,” Ireland explained. “We’ll use it until October 2007, then we’ll have to close it.”
The closure will be required by the Iowa DNR, which has been working with the EPA for a decade to increase protection of the environment where landfills are concerned. Last year the DNR sent out letters to all of the landfills that were not in compliance with new regulations and gave them until October 2007 to rectify the problems, or close the facilities.
At this time only 27 of Iowa’s 59 landfills are in compliance with the EPA and DNR requirements. Those requirements include a liner for the landfill as well as a leak-aid system for exiting water out of the landfill.
DNR Environmental Specialist Amber Sauser said the DNR asked the landfill boards to come up with a plan to either upgrade or close the facilities.
“Jones County was the only one that didn’t know if they were going to close at that time. During last month’s inspection they told us they would be closing the current landfill,” Sauser said, and added that any landfill that doesn’t meet compliance by October 2007 will be closed until the requirements are met.
Ireland, who has been on the Jones County Landfill Board since 1972, said there is no liner in the Jones County landfill because none was required when the facility was built in 1973.
He said he doesn’t have any figures for the cost of transporting Jones County’s trash to Linn County. Ireland said the Jones County landfill takes in about 7000 tons of trash each year.
The Jones County Landfill Board and the Jones County Board of Supervisors will decide the fate of Jones County’s trash.
“Anything we do now will need to include the supervisors,” he included.
Should the trash be sent to Linn County it would end up at the Marion landfill site. |
Postmaster Encourages Customers to Mail Early for Holidays
by Michelle Phillips |
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has officially reached the United States Postal Service (USPS), and Anamosa is no exception. Anamosa Postmaster Angie McDonough said traffic at the Anamosa Post Office has picked up over the past week.
McDonough said packages and holiday cards are a common sight, and customers should follow some guidelines to help the delivery of these items flow more smoothly.
She said customers would always be asked the same four questions whenever they mail a parcel:
Is it fragile? Is it liquid? Is it perishable? Is it potentially hazardous?
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Bill Cunningham figures out postage on several boxes for Jolene Claus of Anamosa on November 27 at the Anamosa Post Office . Traffic at the post office has increased greatly over the past week, due to holiday shipping, according to Postmaster Angie McDonough. (Journal-Eureka Photo by Michelle Phillips) |
“It’s part of our aviation security policy, that these things be asked,” she added. “The best thing is to be honest with the questions being asked because many items can be shipped, but must go by ground.”
Liquids are items that must be shipped by ground, and McDonough reminded that it is illegal to send alcohol via the USPS. If an item is fragile, she suggests double boxing it and adding a lot of packing material to both boxes. Perishable items must be sent priority and no potentially hazardous items are ever allowed.
Priority mail is for any package over 12 oz. and takes 2-3 days to arrive at most US destinations.
Parcel post is for items over one pound and takes 3-7 days, except in Alaska and Hawaii, which is 3-5 weeks by parcel post. If you’re in a hurry you may want to mail the package express, which guarantees one-day delivery in the US.
Packages going overseas will take longer to arrive.
“APOs and FPOs, mail them now,” said McDonough. “The last suggested date to get them there before Christmas is December 11.”
Cards, letters and packages going to other destinations abroad should be mailed now, and no later than December 4 to make it by Christmas. Global express service is also available and will take 4-6 days to make it overseas.
The USPS has weight and size regulations as well. Packages can’t weigh more than 70 pounds and the total size of a box can be 108 inches. If an item is between 108 and 130 combined inches a surcharge will be added, and no items over 130 combined inches will be accepted.
McDonough offers other tips when mailing packages, “If a box has ‘ORM-D’ printed on the outside all of those letters must be marked out. No string is allowed, and strapping tape is the best tape to use.”
She also recommends getting insurance in case the package is lost or damaged.
“If it’s over $50 you should also get delivery confirmation and the post office can track the package,” she said.
Other tips include the following: Mailing early in the day is best because the package will be sent out in a 1 p.m. shipment. Customers should also remove batteries from toys, watches or any other item that contains batteries before being packed. In addition, holiday cards should be rubber banded. If they are kept together they will be sent out immediately.
“Mail early, that’s my advice, mail early,” McDonough added.
She said that www.usps.com is a wonderful resource. Postage and insurance may be purchased with a credit card, allowing the customer to just drop the package off, with no waiting. Items can be tracked online and postal requirements are available.
“We want everybody’s package to get there safe, sound and on time,” McDonough concluded. |
Community Thanksgiving Dinner Held
by Susan Yario |
| The 20th Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal was a huge success with 210 dinners served, including 55 that were delivered. The United Congregational Church sponsored the event. Photos: Top; Jewel Rivera, Phyllis and Marvin Hughes dishing up baked beans and green bean casserole at the Community Thanksgiving meal at the LCC on Thanksgiving Day; Community members enjoying the Thanksgiving meal at the LCC. (Journal-Eureka Photos by Susan Yario) |
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Council Approves New Freezer for Senior Center
by Susan Yario |
A quote from Ace Refrigeration of $15,000.00 was received to replace the existing freezer at the Senior Citizen Center at the Anamosa City Council meeting on November 27. The Heritage Agency on Aging will fund up to 57% of the cost of the $15,000.00 appliance. The City of Anamosa and Jones County are to split the remaining cost of the freezer and any renovation expenses. The Council unanimously approved the City Administrator to work with the staff at the Senior Center and coordinate efforts with Jones County to begin the process of acquiring a new freezer for the Senior Center on North Ford Street.
Other items also approved on Monday evening are as follows:
• Third reading of ordinance to amend Chapter 4 of the City code of ordinances to establish a minimum fine for violations.
• Second reading of ordinance amending Chapter 165 of the city code (zoning regulations) to permit the limited rental of garage space in residential areas.
• Resolution on the proposed sale of property at 1005 South Main Street, Anamosa with three contingencies attached: 1. Property staked out 2. City to waive water & sewer hookup fee 3. City to split w/s extension costs 50/50 with property buyer and a variance approval/private easement to secure such hookup.
• Begin process to sell adjacent property to Chamber Park to Irv Graver at 50 cents per square foot.
• Renewal of Class C liquor license with Sunday sales privileges for Tyler & Downing Eatery.
• Resolution amending non-sufficient fund fee (checks returned for insufficient funds) from $20 to $30.
• Resolution amending the door posting fee for water and sewer services from $10 to $25.
• Payment of bills for the month of November 2006.
• Resolution approving the annual financial report for Fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.
• Resolution amending the City of Anamosa Personnel Policies (educational reimbursement).
• Resolution approving the Flexible benefit plan/adoption of agenda for the City of Anamosa. All Council members signed an authorization.
A public hearing regarding the sale of city owned property at 1005 South Main was held at Monday night’s meeting without contest. There were no written or oral comments received by the city on this item.
City Administrator, Pat Callahan discussed the DOT property on First Street with Council members once again. It was agreed that Callahan is to contact the DOT regarding a written agreement from the IDOT laying out specifics regarding building demolition, ground contamination/DNR testing, other items that were discussed in the original contact. Callahan will get back with the council as soon as he has heard more from the DOT concerning the First Street property. A meeting with Larry Driscoll, Taylor Construction and Dave Stoklasa has been scheduled for November 30 to discuss the assessment of liquidated damages incurred while Taylor Construction delayed work on the WWTP Disinfection Project. No motion was made on this item as negotiations need to take place and information will be relayed and on the next agenda for council to take action upon.
Callahan updated council on the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) process. No action was taken as the next step in the process is to develop project profiles for the Goal Setting Session and financial analysis that will be included in the five year CIP plan.
City Attorney, Adrian Knuth has placed all four companies involved in the downtown city street light problems on notice. The contractor, electric subcontractor, engineer and the architect for the Streetscapes Project have all been notified in writing that the city intends to make the necessary repairs to the streets lights and the City of Anamosa will expect payment from the “responsible parties” for such repairs. Larry Driscoll, Public Works Director will track time and costs involved in the repair project.
Jennifer Fischer has resigned from the Parks and Recreation board due to other commitments. An additional seat will also be opening up in the near future. Council made mention that Anamosa residents can apply/volunteer for an open seat on this board or be nominated by a current member of the Parks and Rec Board.
The City Administrator reminded members of council that the Goal Setting Session is set for December 14, 5 p.m. at the Anamosa Library and the December 18 meeting will be at the Lawrence Center. |
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