Holly Trustees Focus on Property Issues

The Holly school construction project moved forward, as the Holly Trustees approved an ordinance vacating several streets and alleys within the project boundaries.  The school board petitioned the trustees to vacate a portion of Second Street, Third Street, Pawnee Street, Buffalo Street and alleys within the collateralized boundaries.  These areas had already been vacated, and Town Administrator, Marsha Willhite noted that the water mains and service lines within the area will be rerouted and new electric lines will be constructed during the construction project. 

Two other areas regarding property adjustments were presented to the trustees during their monthly meeting, Wednesday, February 1.  Because of the school construction project, the baseball team can’t use their practice field.  Trustee Brad Simon asked if the fence line for the Grant McCormick Memorial Ball Park could be pushed back 20 to 30 feet to match regulation parameters the baseball team uses.  He noted the infield would also have to be adjusted and some additional lighting may be needed.  Baseball practice for Holly will get underway in about six weeks and Simon said the alteration to the field would be better than having to drive the team to and from Granada to use that practice field when it was available.  He’ll study the options and report back before the next trustee meeting in March.  The other property agenda item focused on the future sale of land within the Romer subdivision in Holly.  The trustees will consider a request regarding an extension to Irvin Street. 

There were two appearances before the trustees.  Holly resident Dwayne Grogan called attention to a power pole near his property which was in disrepair, supported, he stated, only by the power lines attached to it.  He requested the trustees replace it and bring it up to code.  Town Administrator Marsha Willhite said that was one of several town projects that had been listed for this spring and summer.  The trustees had allocated $25,000 for several areas of improvement in Holly, and the pole and transformer will be replaced and the number of power lines running from the pole will be split off.  Mike Parker, Republican candidate for County Commissioner from District One, introduced himself to the trustees, and provided them with a brief synopsis on his background and his reasons for becoming a candidate.  He also set the record straight, in a humorous manner, that he was not the Mike Parker who was recently charged with a DUI.  “I’ve been confronted about that a couple of times in the past week, and I just want you to know that I’m not that guy!” he stated. 

Administrator Willhite noted the annual PCDI meeting is set for February 16 and noted the trustees should consider attending the event.  February 16 has been set for a zoning open house at the Depot which will be hosted by representatives of the Department of Local Affairs.  The open house will begin at 9:30 and continue until noontime.  Willhite commented that the Depot will observe it’s 100^th anniversary this year.  Special commemorative stationary will be used by the city and the first use was sent to relatives of the Holly founder, Hiram Holly and the Hiram Holly Ranch which was located south of the Depot. 

The Crew Report on town matters noted that Kirk’s Auto passed the state electrical inspection and power has been turned on.  Pot holes on 8^th and Park Street were patched.  School demolition continued through January.  Concrete from the old tennis court was removed and hauled to the landfill as well as the concrete curb surrounding the football field.  Transformers, dugouts, back stop, announcer booth and chain link fence were removed from the baseball field.  Lamar Light and Power will remove poles and lights from the football and baseball fields and the Holly crew will assist.  Terry Whisenand noted crew payroll was estimated at $5,400 for inkind services and the city incurred $1,528 in repairs to trucks needed to break up and haul away the concrete.  He said he’s searching for timers to use on street lights near JR’s as he believes the convenience store lights keep the photosensitive switches on the street lights from tripping.

By Russ Baldwin