Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Meets; Chamber Bingo Resumes April 9
The Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 14. Greg Hunger, president called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with five directors present. The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed along with minutes from a special meeting held on Feb. 24. A motion was made and seconded to accept both sets of minutes.
Roy Moore, vice president called the special February meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. with Michael Schlabach, Bradley Dunk, Curtis Zwahr, and Jeffrey James in attendance. The first order of business was to take action on the 2022 budget. Each line item of the proposed budget was reviewed and discussed; Dunk made a motion to accept the budget and Jeffrey James seconded the motion; Motion carried. The next item was to take action on the Emergency Preparedness Plan. The Plan that was submitted by Weishuhn was reviewed and approved. The next item on the agenda was to take action on a five year plan concerning future planning needs to help show intent for future grants, loans and growth. The first step is to get a survey of the sewer plant for expansion needs. Schlabach made a motion to get the survey done and the motion was seconded by J. James. Motion carried. Finally J. James made a motion to pay the early member registration fee of $399 and daily hotel accommodations of $199 + tax and fees per night for Michael Schlabach to attend the Texas Rural Water Association Conference April 6-8, in Round Rock. Dunk seconded the motion and motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Now back to the March 14 meeting, Ciera Craig presented the manager’s report. She noted in her report that Inframark operated the EWS facilities, performed maintenance, coordinated with contractors, and provided regulatory compliance services for February. She presented a bill for operations expenses for $4202.83. Due to several water leaks water accountability was at 88%; 894,000 gallons of water were produced and 623,000 were billed during the cycle. Hess Construction repaired three water main leaks in February. She also discussed billing and payment issues with the Board. She recommended that delinquent accounts be turned over to a collection agency for a fee of 30 to 40 percent. After much discussion the board decided to have Inframark mail customers a certified letter outlining a payment plan for the delinquent accounts. Those customers will have thirty days to call Inframark/the billing agency and set up a payment plan whereby they will have four months to get their accounts up to date. Payment of current bills will be needing payment as well. If these customers do nothing their water will be disconnected and a $525 reconnection fee will apply when asking to be reconnected to the water system. Collection agencies may get involved after the initial process has begun. Schlabach made a motion to accept the manager’s report, seconded by Dunk, and motion carried. Next James Weishuhn presented the Engineer’s Report. The ground storage tank project is still in holding position awaiting final confirmation by the Texas Water Development Board of submitted documents. More red tape is holding up progress for the filtration system as well. Weishuhn did note that another pilot test has been completed using a couple of different chemical compositions for media to be used at the filtration plant. He noted that the elevation survey was completed at the WWTP. The entire plant is located in a flood plain, but the berm project built in 2012 is above flood stage. Plans for a small package plant was discussed at the special meeting and could be placed inside the berm area; however a lift station would have to be built to make the flow parallel to the current plant. The board is still discussing options for this endeavor. The estimated cost of a new sewer plant is $350,000, but this small package plant could reduce some of that cost. Dunk motioned to accept the report; seconded by James; and motion carried. Next the Board reviewed the financial reports and motioned to accept and pay bills.
The Annual meeting is scheduled for April 28, at 7 p.m. at the Ellinger Community Center Dining Hall. The Board received three applications for director positions becoming vacant. Applications were from Paula Urban, Curtis Zwahr, and Jeffery James. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 11, at the Ellinger Fire Station. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Shared Lutheran Ministry
The Shared Lutheran Ministry Worship and Music Team have set the Lenten calendar. The congregations will gather for worship on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. (no soup suppers). Pastors from the Conference will have a pulpit exchange. That means a different local Lutheran pastor will lead worship and bring the message. Additionally, the 6:30 p.m. service will be live stream on Face book.
Midweek services will rotate among the four churches of the SLM as follows: March 23-Fayetteville at 6:30 p.m.; March 30-Ellinger at 6:30 p.m.; April 6-Warrenton at 6:30 p.m.; Maundy Thursday, April 14- Rutersville at 6:30 p.m. Good Friday worship will be as follows: April 15-Ellinger at noon; and Fayetteville at 6:30 p.m. Easter services will be at all four churches at their regular times. The SLM will have a joint worship on Palm Sunday, April 10, at 10 a.m. at the Carby Chapel at Lutherhill.
The Shared Lutheran Congregations will have food booths and parking at the antique show in Warrenton. Bake sales are as follows: March 24 and 25-Ellinger; March 26 and 27-Fayetteville; April 1 and 2-Warrenton. Parking schedules: March 21 and 22-Ellinger; March 28 and 29-Fayetteville; and War renton all other dates. Warrenton will serve barbecue brisket at their food booth; the booth will be open March 19-20, 24-27, and 31-April 2. Anyone willing to help out may contact Megan Buro at (979) 966-3405 or email mlb_meganb@hotmail.com.
Fayetteville Brethren Church
Fayetteville Brethren Church has services the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of each month at 10 a.m. Other services are at Industry Brethren on the second, third and fourth Saturdays at 5 p.m., Wesley Brethren on Sundays at 9 a.m. and Nelsonville Brethren on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Rev. Mike Groseclose leads all the services. The Nelsonville service is live streamed on Nelsonville Brethren’s Face book page.
The Fayetteville Brethren has announced the following Lenten Worship Schedule: March 23, 6:30 p.m. at Fayetteville Brethren Church with a sandwich meal; March 30-Industry at 6:30 p.m. with a spaghetti meal; Maundy Thursday, April 14-Nelsonville at 6:30 p.m.; Good Friday, April 15-Wesley at 6:30 a.m. carrying of the cross, fellowship breakfast. There will be an Easter service at Fayetteville on Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m.
Ellinger VFD
On Sunday, March 20, the Ellinger VFD was dispatched to mutual aid the Fayetteville VFD with a brush fire on Fm 1291. The departments battled the blaze for over two hours in windy conditions.
The Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting its annual feast and fundraiser on Sunday, April 24, 2022. The event will be a drive-thru barbecue lunch consisting of chicken and sausage. Plates to go will be $12 and serving will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Ellinger Community Center. There will also be a live auction under the pavilion starting at 1 p.m. Save the date and make plans to attend. Additionally, firemen are currently selling raffle tickets for the event.
Ellinger Chamber
The Ellinger Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring Bingo on Saturday, April 9. For more information go to their website or ellingertexas.com.
Additionally the chamber is busy getting ready for the 85th Annual Tomato Festival slated for May 29. They are planning a raffle whereby they will be selling 1,000 tickets and giving away fifty prizes. If you are interested in donating one of the prizes please contact Michael Schlabach by March 27.
Junior Livestock Show
The Fayette County Junior Livestock Show is slated for Friday, March 25, at the Fayette County Fair Grounds. The FCJLS social will be held along with the sale of projects on Saturday, March 26. All are welcome to visit the exhibits and support the youth of Fayette County.
Birthdays
Happy Birthday wishes to the following March celebrants: Mary Vrazel-25th; Doug Divin and Billy Kubena-26th; James Horndt-29th; Kendall Smidovec-31st.
Have News?
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