Here are a few things reported at this morning’s staff meeting. More specific information will appear on some topics in our June issue:
—The early spring has been great for golf. Golfers played 2,000 rounds at the municipal course in March, as opposed to 800 last year, boosting revenue to $31,500 in comparison to 2011’s March total of $11,000. Also, something cool is coming to the golf course. Starting later this month, you’ll be able to get a USGA handicap at our 9-hole course, now licensed as a USGA Club. The software is installed. You’ll need to play five rounds (or present your scorecard from five other rounds at other courses) and for $25 you’ll get a handicap. Watch for a video on this to appear on MTLTV soon.
—The warm winter was good for public works in that they used only half as much salt and had half as many call-outs as usual. However, because of the joint purchase agreement for salt with SHACOG communities, DPW still will have to order 1,000 tons of salt for the coming year. Now the problem is where to put it! The early spring also helped Public Works get a head start on road repair (watch for story in June magazine). Work is taking place already on curb replacement in Abbeyville area.
—The new municipal website goes live tomorrow (Friday), probably in mid-to-late afternoon. Cross your fingers that all goes well, and check www.mtlebanon.org [1] this weekend for a brand new look and much easier navigation.
—Bad news. Recycling is down 23 percent from this time last year. DPW Director Tom Kelley thinks we may have “peaked” until it is possible to change the method or frequency of collecti0n. We know it’s hard to have those overflowing recycling cans, but it’s so great to keep that stuff out of landfills, so please keep it up!
—Environmental Planning and Design is the firm hired to shepherd Mt. Lebanon through the update of our comprehensive land use plan. The update, required every 10 years by the state, will require extensive public input. We will get started on the plan this month, looking at all land use issues but concentrating on three areas of the municipality that are good possibilities for development. The staff, commission and consultants are looking forward to hearing residents’ ideas.
—Fire Chief Nick Sohyda has met with the new head of County 911 in an effort to resolve some persistent dispatch issues. His ideas, particularly those regarding faster dispatch, were well-received and he hopes the county will follow up, thus increasing the response time for fire calls.