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I decided not to write an opening commentary this month! Some nostalgic story about summers of long ago seems to me corny and out of place given the current situation confronting the Country. Pontificating on this or that is equally out of place. We get enough of that on the non-stop pontification of the news commentators and writers. So, I will jump right into reporting on events in our town, where the picture is much more positive and pleasant to talk about.
I will start with the Undergrounding Project. AT&T has finished running the fiber cable in the south half of town. The splicing is done, and the lines are currently being tested for signal clarity. So far, the signal tests have been strong and clear. (As is said in the military 5 by 5.) One issue remains to be resolved before the system is open for service: AT&T needs more ports (terminals for signals) due to the number of condo units on Inlet. The AT&T engineering staff is working on sorting out this last remaining issue. Line removal in the north half of town will begin soon. The first phase of removal will be from the parkway to Lake Drive. They will then work east towards Ocean.
The water main replacement project: This project has finally begun. The new pipes have been laid from Island way to Bamboo. Lake drive has been prepared for digging by milling up all the asphalt and then loosely recompacting it. This makes it easier for the ditching equipment to work through the asphalt. However, the contractor ran into issues that were not called out on the engineering plans, which resulted in a significant cost overrun. So, if Riviera Beach disapproves and doesn't pay the unexpected costs, the contactor says he will stop work. Unfortunately, we have minimal to no leverage to deal with this situation. When this situation is resolved, they will move into our town, and things should proceed more smoothly. (Alan Welch has excellent records of what is buried and where.)
The Seaspray demolition and new condo project is slowly moving through the building approval process. The project has been presented to the Development Review Committee once and is on the DRC agenda for the second round of reviews. Because of the lot size, about 2/5th size of a normal zoning district D lot, and the proximity to the Community Center and beach parking lot, the review/approval process is a bit more complicated than most. However, all agree that it is in the owner's best interest to facilitate the redevelopment of this site. The current building is badly deteriorated by salt corrosion and is rat and termite infested.
The Town Staff and Commission are busy working on the 2022/23 budget. At this point, it is a work in progress, and nothing has been finalized. However, the draft capital budget includes $1.6 million to repave and improve drainage on Lake, Inlet, and Bamboo. In connection with this and as mandated by the State Legislature, a resiliency study is being conducted. (This is being largely paid for by a State grant.) This project will be covered in more detail as plans develop.
Turning to the July Commission meeting, the following topics were covered:
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The Financial Report: At the end of the third quarter, the revenue is tracking to budget, and expenses are tracking slightly under budget.
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2022/23 Budget: The Commission approved an Operating Millage rate of 6.3500 mill. This has been the Town millage rate dating back into the 1990s. This year this rate will result in increased Town property tax revenue of $375,400. Staff recommended, and the Commission agreed that given the large capital projects included in the budget, we should maintain this millage rate for another year. The Underground Debt millage rate was maintained at 0.4290 mills. This rate will yield slightly more money that is needed to cover the debt payment. The excess funds will be accumulated, and when sufficient funding is available, an unscheduled payment will be made, thereby retiring the debt earlier.
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Sand Accumulation on Seawalls and Stormwater Outfall Pipes: Alan Welch presented pictures that he and his staff took off the sand accumulation around the Town stormwater outflow pipes. When the pipes were installed, they were two feet above the Lake bottom. They are now approximately half to 2/3 covered by sand. If not removed, this will block stormwater flow through the pipes. The public work staff removes that sand from the Bamboo outfall pipe on a monthly basis. This may be necessary for the others as well, except for the Inlet outfall pipe, which is two feet above the bottom. The Singer Island Dredging project, which we are working on getting done, would help prevent this and build up.
It has been mentioned by the contractor for the water main project on Lake Drive, their appreciation of the residents adhering to the detour street signage, the workers, and the work zone safety guidelines. Thanks to all for being patient and understanding.
As a reminder, the Primary Election is on August 23, 2022, and our precinct is in the Town Hall.
And that is a wrap for this month. We have one full month of summer left. Enjoy it. Then after Labor Day we'll do it all again.
Alan
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TREVOR STEEDMAN
PBS FIRE CHIEF
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OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT / FIRE DEPARTMENT:
COVID-19 Update: The PBC Emergency Operations Center is maintaining COVID-19 operations at Activation Level III
(Enhanced Monitoring). COVID-19 information and more resources are available by visiting https://discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/Pages/Updates.aspx.
The Palm Beach Shores Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they are received.
The Florida Department of Health has established a dedicated COVID-19 call center (866) 779-6121 or the public to call 24 hours a day. In addition, the public can email
COVID19@flhealth.gov for more information.
Hurricane Season: We are a few months into 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season. There is fortunately not much tropical activity in the Caribbean basin. But we can’ t let our guard as August through October traditionally sees the proliferation of more tropical weather systems. We are maintaining a watchful weather eye and continue coordinating with our State, County and Local allied agencies. Stay prepared!
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Fire Engine Housing Ceremony: The fire engine has been placed in service for the community. PBSFD is having a traditional “Housing Ceremony” on Friday August 12th at 11 A.M. on Edwards Lane at the Fire Station. Please join us for this special occasion.
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Officer Development Academy: Two of our full-time Firefighter/Paramedics successfully completed an Officer Development Academy hosted by Greenacres Fire Rescue. This professional development course encompassed incident command, strategy and tactics, leadership and personnel management, training, crew resource management, coaching and mentoring, supervision, and critical decision-making. Our full-time Firefighter/Paramedics function in the capacity of a Company-level Officer, overseeing and leading the day-to-day operations of the fire engine crews. Firefighter/Paramedic Lancier Castro and Firefighter/Paramedic Nelson Lopez (pictured below) were the two of our four full-time Firefighter/Paramedics completing this course. Our other two Firefighter/Paramedics will attend the next offering of this course. Thank you to Chief Fuller of Greenacres Fire Rescue for offering this great
educational and professional development opportunity to our personnel free of charge.
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(LR) Firefighter/Paramedic Lancier Castro and
Firefighter/Paramedic Nelson Lopez
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ALAN WELCH - DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS | |
(LR) Rodolfo (Rudy) Rivera, Alan Welch Director of Public Works and Jonathan Figueroa | |
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CONGRATULATIONS
Public Works Department Staff, Jonathan Figueroa and Rodolfo (Rudy) Rivera, both have achieved certification in the Florida stormwater association as certified stormwater operators I and II with high 90% scores. We congratulate them on their dedication and excellence.
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SGT. STEVE LANGEVIN - DISTRICT #20 | |
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Those who have been in Palm Beach Shores for a long time will remember former Chief of Police Roger Wille. I am truly sorry to say that Roger passed peacefully in his sleep on June 22nd. Rogers' friend and former wife Judy informed us about his passing.
Roger was a respectable man, a great cop, and a good friend to me and many others. Apart from being the longest-serving police chief of our town, he also took us into the new age of computers and police state accreditation. Sadly his wife had recently passed on, and his health was slowly declining.
Roger leaves behind a large group of family and friends in and out of law enforcement, and his father is the former Palm Beach County, Sheriff Richard Wille. His brother retired from North Palm Beach police and then retired again from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office. His son presently serves with PBSO.
Roger served our country proudly as a United States Marine and will rest at the South Florida Veteran's cemetery on August 12 at 2 PM, located at 6501 state road 7, Lake Worth, Florida. 33449.
I will miss my friend, but I know he is in a better place, probably applying as a reserve police officer in Heaven, good luck to his supervisors! Mayor Fiers has approved lowering the Town flag on the day of Rogers's funeral. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
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Regarding this month's events
There is a bit of confusion on the non-emergency and the phone at the police station/Sheriff's sub-station by the town hall.
Always use 911 in an emergency. If you wish to report a delayed crime or need a deputy to respond to your home or another location for whatever reason, please use 561-844-3456 or 561-688-3400, your choice, but I would pick one and keep it stored in your phone as Non-emergency.
If you want to talk with Mary or sign up for a closed house list, have questions about Hurricane passes, or have queries of that type, you can use 561-844-9269. This number is only answered Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, never on weekends or holidays.
A deputy cannot be dispatched through this number, as dispatch has specific questions that must be asked and answered by you. The questions asked and answered assist the arriving deputy in understanding the immediate situation.
If you are at the station and do not have a cell phone and no one is there, you can pick up the phone in the red box, and it will ring directly to dispatch.
Of course, if you want to stop and speak with Mary or me, we are here Monday through Friday, and many of you have my cell number.
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PAW PATROL
Our new program to help reunite you with your lost dog is up and running. Please see the flyer above. As new folks move in, a pet might get out of the house, and the patrolling deputy or neighbor may not know who the owner is. Some come right to the station to the PBSO dog treat box, but unfortunately, sometimes animal control must be called as the pet cannot spend an extended period in the station
The flyer will show the steps to enter your pet's name, contact information, and a photo of your pet. Once you're on this page (Palm Beach Shores District 20 web page), you can sign up for a closed house request, Code Red, and other information. There is also a picture of me. My head takes up half the page.
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.... MORE NEWS
There was one arrest last month, and that was of a man entering a shed in the backyard of a house in the 100 block of Linda Lane and taking a bicycle. He then went to the 300 Block of Tacoma, entered the carport, and stole a Sawzall.
Your deputies did a great job in piecing this together. Food from the nearby 7-11 was left behind at Linda Lane. We captured the video at the 7-11 and developed a suspect, the home on Tacoma Lane had a ring camera, so the suspect was clearly visible. We also located the suspect leaving town with the stolen bicycle using the town's CCTV system.
The suspect was well known to Riviera Beach Police, and the Sheriff's detective division put together all the above information to obtain Probable cause for his arrest, which was done in the 1300 block of Avenue E Riviera Beach the next day. He was out on bail, so he should be at the county jail for a bit.
As always, we are here for you, and please let me know how we can help.
Sergeant Steven Langevin
Commander, District 20
Town of Palm Beach Shores
Palm Beach County Sheriffs’ office
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IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR!
2022-2023
Beach Parking Passes are available for purchase
in Town Hall.
Read more
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TOWN HALL MEETINGS - 2022
(Visit our Town of Palm Beach Shores Website and connect to our virtual meetings.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
AUGUST 3 @ 2:00 P.M
PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING
AUGUST 24, 2022 @ 6:30 P.M.
COMMISSION MEETING WORKSHOP
AUGUST 8, 2022 @ 7:00 P.M.
COMMISSION BOARD MEETING
AUGUST 22, 2022 @ 7:00 P.M.
INLET ENCROACHMENT AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING
AUGUST 24, 2022 @ 2:00 P.M.
VIEW THE EVENT CALENDAR ON THE
RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOME PAGE
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COST: $20
LOCATION: FIRE DEPT. ANNEX
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PALM BEACH SHORES FIRE DEPT.
MORALE T-SHIRT Sale
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THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS......
the purchasing of uniforms, fire gear, and equipment for the volunteers. Also for the dinners at the Volunteer Association meetings, the holiday dinner, and also anything needed in the living space of the annex.
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International Lifeguard Appreciation Day is celebrated on July 31 annually. It’s a day for honoring and appreciating those professionals who are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that pool facilities and beaches are safe for visitors and ensuring that they are also guarded while they enjoy a swim. Lifeguards diligently dedicate their time and lives to enabling a safe environment for swimmers. They instruct and constantly watch guests to prevent injury and rescue them from life-threatening accidents. Do you know that about 10,000 people are rescued from drowning yearly by lifeguards? What could be more heroic than that? | | | | |
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The Palm Beach Shores Emergency Management Department has a new emergency and mass notification system that will allow the town to send urgent messages to those who are interested and sign-up. CodeRED will be used to alert subscribers of natural disasters including severe storms, tornadoes, floods, or man-made disasters, such as chemical spills, bio-hazards, and Amber Alerts.. READ MORE | | | | | | |
