GAS — A dedicated south-bound alley will be upgraded part way through a block on the west side of Gas between Martin and Morrill streets at the urging of Mayor Darrel Catron.
Catron lives at the north end of the block and plans to build a garage behind his home. The alley will give access.
Eight neighbors to the south came to Tuesday evening’s Gas Council meeting to oppose opening all of the alley. Catron and council members listened, and agreed to leave the remainder undeveloped.
One person has a garden that sits on part of the alley. Another has a fence on the right of way.
Catron said those infringements weren’t a concern and the only time they might have to be moved would be for utility work. Utility lines follow alley rights of way in much of Gas.
He also noted the Council’s attitude was that alleys would be opened at the request of residents living along them, a policy he took advantage of with plans for a new garage.
Alleys are 15 feet wide with five-foot setback requirements on either side for buildings. A survey will be done of the alley in question to ensure a whistle at the north end and crushed rock are placed correctly.
Council members voted to replace the town’s solid waste truck.
Municipal service started two years ago with a 1980 Ford and 17-cubic-yard container. It will be replaced with a 1994 Chevrolet with a 20-cubic-yard collection box, which will be purchased from 54 Rebuilders for $7,500 with trade.
Money for the purchase will come from a combination of the equipment reserve fund, which contains $28,000, and the refuse fund, having $9,000.
The new truck will reduce from two to one trips a week to the Allen County Landfill, predicted Steve Robb, city superintendent. Trash is picked up on Tuesdays in Gas and neighboring housing developments.
Robb said a water leak that occurred early Saturday nearly drained the Gas storage tower and when the tank was refilled sediment was stirred, causing tap water to have a brown hue for two or three days. Tests of water at several places in town found no health concerns from the off-color water, he said.
Six storm shelters have been placed in residential areas and a sixth will be soon. City Clerk Rhonda Hill said letters would be mailed to residents this week to point out locations.
Council members turned down a request they received Feb. 14 from Kwikom, an Iola wireless Internet provider, to place antennas on the Gas water tower. They reasoned the apparatus would be unsightly on the tower, which they described as a Gas trademark.
Painting of the water tower will occur in late April or early May. Robb noted it will be the first since partial painting in 1996.
About 1,600 candy eggs, purchased from Russell Stover Candies, will be scattered about Fees Park for an Easter egg hunt for children April 7 starting at 10 a.m.
