NORTH ENGLISH – During the Dec. 3 meeting of the North English City Council, the council received an annual report from Susan Schaefer and Bonnie Romine of Pride in North English (PINE), a community volunteer group that makes improvements around town. Schaefer and Romine explained that, this year, PINE planted and maintained flower beds around town, hosted a city-wide clean-up day in June, and expanded the Smoky Row trail eastward, also adding benches along the trail, working with the high school construction class to add a shelter south of the trail, and adding photo information history boards. Romine stated that they wanted to do another clean-up day next year, but noted that the bill back in June had been the highest it had ever been, at $3,000. She told the council to not hesitate to say they can’t do it next year. Romine explained that the stone town signs by the city pond were becoming discolored due to an environmental algae. She stated that PINE intended to clean the signs using a chemical solution called D/2. Romine stated it would likely take four gallons per sign, with it costing $177.95 plus shipping to order four gallons. PINE received $3,500 in city funding last year; Schaefer stated that they would not need a budget request this year.
Also at the Wednesday meeting, Councilman Red Haugland stated that he had noticed a lot of vehicles sitting around, not being driven lately. City Clerk Tara Heyne stated that she had sent letters out to a handful of them. Councilman Lou Garringer stated that the tree lighting the previous Sunday had went pretty well. He stated it wasn’t the city’s fault the event was cancelled then uncancelled. Public Works employee David Knipfer stated that the group putting on the event had had a problem with getting trees. Garringer stated that, next year, if they have trouble getting trees, the city should be able to help them get trees or even plant a tree. Knipfer stated he wasn’t sure they wanted to plant a tree by the Veterans Memorial, due to water lines.
