Springtown plans festival, hears updates

SPRINGTOWN — The town council heard of fall festival plans at its Aug. 14 meeting according to draft minutes. The fall festival is planned for Oct. 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the town’s park.

According to draft minutes, donations are being solicited, Tyson Foods will supply the chicken and hot dogs. The festival will feature “About God’s Business,” a group which sings bluegrass gospel music.

Alderman Karee Barrett is working on a flyer for the event. Mayor Terri Glenn reserved the Arvest barbecue grill, and arrangements are still needed for the porta-potty, drinks, snack cakes and miscellaneous items.

The declaratory judgment interrogatories have been returned by defendants, and a hearing date was to be set, according to August draft minutes. The Bredehoeft Road Project is on hold until the declaratory judgment is resolved.

According to the minutes, the park deed has not been updated, but George Rhoads, the town’s attorney, is working on obtaining the deed.

A grant application to fund siren replacement has been submitted, and the town has received confirmation that the application is complete. Notification in regard to the grant should be received in October or November, according to the draft minutes. A resolution was passed in July authorizing the mayor of Springtown to apply for an Arkansas Rural Community grant on behalf of the Town of Springtown to obtain functional storm sirens, according to approved July minutes. This is a 50/50 grant in which the town and the grant provider each cover half of the estimated cost of purchase and installment of sirens.

It was reported that the Black Hills gas line project was nearly complete, with the utility company to return and finish up road repairs.

Alderman David Clark expressed concerns at the August meeting about not seeing the constable or sheriff patrolling in town, and Mayor Glenn said she would follow up on the matter.

At the July meeting, Constable Mike Savage addressed the council and members of the public to describe the services he provides and to answer questions. Constable Savage covered topics such as extra patrols, increasing safety at the town park, calling 911 in emergency situations and how to better communicate with law enforcement. He spoke about how to deal with stray and aggressive dogs, trespassing, noise and prohibited ATV traffic. Increasing the profile of law enforcement officials will reduce these and other issues and increase community spirit, he said, according to July meeting minutes.

Repair of the Aubrey Long Bridge was discussed at the July meeting, including a review of an estimate from Decca Paving. Alderman Dixie Law made a motion to proceed with the repairs and Alderman Chuck Bostwick seconded the motion. All were in favor and Mayor Glenn was to contact Decca Paving to initiate the repairs.

Also discussed in the July meeting were some speed limit signs which had not been replaced and some flags and flag holders which needed to be replaced.

The next town council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 11, at Springtown City Hall. Preliminary items on the agenda include a declaratory judgment update, the Bredehoeft Road project update, an update on the park deed, the siren replacement grant, the fall festival, and a Black Hills gas line projects update.

Tyson Foods will supply the chicken and hot dogs. The festival will feature “About God’s Business,” a group which sings bluegrass gospel music.