City council approves expenditure for park building
Peabody City Council approved funds Monday night to cover the cost of a rock facade for the new concession stand/announcer's box at the football field in the city park.
On a motion by Tom Schmidt, council members unanimously agreed the city will be prepared to cover the cost of the stonework in an amount not to exceed an earlier estimate of $4,800.
The masonry will be added to the front of the building to make it blend with the sports area, a 1930s WPA project that gives the park a historic flavor.
The council withheld a decision on adding a storage area to the back of the structure. Although additional storage at the park would be utilized by the city and the Fourth Fest Society, the council did not wish to commit funds for the project until it receives word on whether a grant to repair the city shop is approved.
Without a grant, the city will need to fund the city shop project in its entirety, leaving little money for additional building proposals.
Russell Thrash of Big Top Fireworks addressed the council about selling fireworks in Peabody during the Fourth of July holiday. Thrash was one of two vendors who sold fireworks locally last year.
In February the council revised the ordinance on the sale of fireworks, adding stricter cleanup regulations and a larger bond from vendors. Thrash said he had no problem with either revision and indicated he would contact the city about a contract closer to the holiday.
In other business, the council:
— approved nuisance letters be sent to three property owners in the city.
— agreed to sponsor an American Flag set piece for the July Fourth fireworks show at a cost of $300.
— heard from Jan Preston and Lucy Hughes that the backyards of their properties on Olive Street have become saturated with water since February. The women say the ground never dries out. The council instructed city clerk Jeff Benbrook to contact the state and find out if an engineer is available who could help discover the cause of the problem.
— heard an opinion from city engineers Reiss and Goodness that the council needs to proceed with hooking up to city services all homeowners whose property is within 300 yards of city sewer and water. The engineering firm encouraged the council to allow no exceptions or risk jeopardizing its federal funding.
— agreed to raise the cost of private parties at the Peabody pool to $30 an hour and the cost of swimming lessons to out-of-town students to $20. The council also approved a plan by pool supervisor Deanna Baker for determining when to close the pool in severe weather.
