Boil advisory lifted in Florence
After almost two months under a "boil water" advisory due to high turbidity in the water, Florence residents may now safely use tap water again.
Stuart Funk announced Monday night at the city council meeting that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had lifted the advisory for the Florence community.
Funk, who is city superintendent and the city's water plant operator, said test samples had been well under the state's minimum requirements for several weeks.
Reilly Reid, Florence fire chief, was present to seek the council's approval for two new applicants to the fire department. The council gave unanimous acceptance to Martin Kaiser and Roger Hoffner as new members. The council also accepted a letter of resignation from volunteer fire fighter Rick Burcky.
Reid requested that the council reconsider the city's stand on issuing burn permits to local citizens.
"I think the council needs to ask itself if it really wants to allow people to burn on private property," Reid said. "The only things they burn on their property now are the same things that they can take to the burn pit. We are the only town in the county, I think, that allows private burning."
Reid was concerned that people would burn unacceptable items such as treated lumber or shingles, getting the community into trouble with the KDHE. He noted the risk of a fire getting out of hand is greater when individuals are burning their own debris.
After a lengthy discussion on the procedure for obtaining a burn permit and the lack of cooperation within the community for proper dumping at the burn pit, the council agreed to leave the ordinance alone for the time being.
Mayor Jeanie Meirowsky urged the council members to talk to their constituents to find out what the community wants and she asked Reid to find out what other towns in Marion County have done about issuing burn permits to individuals.
Council members tackled a second controversial topic when Police Chief Howard Kahler presented a copy of an ordinance from Goessel dealing with vicious dogs. Kahler and several council members had received complaints about pit bulldogs in the city. At least one pit bull had gotten loose in the last week and frightened several people in its neighborhood.
A decision to create an ordinance to control certain breeds was tabled until the next meeting to give council members time to review the Goessel ordinance and other information on dog ordinances. Again, Meirowsky encouraged council members to seek input from the community.
In other business the council
— Approved a liquor license for BYOB Liquor Store.
— Approved a plumbing license for Suffield Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing.
— Voted to move the flag pole from in front of the current city building to a concrete pad in front of the new city building.
— Heard an update on the progress of the construction of the new city building from Mayor Meirowsky.
— Accepted a resolution to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Marion County Commission and USD 408 to pursue a neighborhood revitalization project.
— Scheduled a budget workshop meeting for 5 p.m. July 24.
