Latest news with #TownCouncil
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council
SINGAPORE - An underground pipe leak could be the reason the dry rising main was not working during the large blaze at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 on July 29. In a statement on July 31, the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said it conducted a joint inspection with SCDF of the dry riser, after SCDF found that it was not working properly. The town council said: 'In our discussion with SCDF, the probable reason for the failure of the dry riser could be due to an underground pipe leak.' The town council said the specific dry riser at Block 229, where the fire broke out, was last tested by an authorised fire prevention and protection system contractor on Aug 28, 2024, and was found to be in working condition. The next inspection for the dry riser is scheduled on Aug 5. The town council said SCDF requires a hydrostatic test to the dry riser to be conducted annually, which includes checks to detect such leaks. On July 29 at around 1pm, a fire broke out in a unit on the 10th floor of the block, engulfing the flat and spreading to a unit on the 11th floor. Seven people, including a firefighter and a child, were taken to hospital. A day after the fire on July 30, SCDF said because the dry rising main was not working, water could not be charged up to the affected floors. Firefighters had to set up hoses directly from the fire engine below up to the 10th and 11th floors via the staircase. ST reported on July 30 a similar incident had happened in August 2020, when the wet riser was not working when firefighters tried to use it to fight the flames on the 20th floor at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh. In response, the town council on July 31 said the fire suppression systems involved in both fire incidents are unrelated. The 2020 incident involved a wet riser system, while the incident in Lorong 8 involved a dry riser system, said the town council. It added: 'Subsequently, the SCDF conducted comprehensive inspections and concluded that all fire safety systems are in good working order. The wet riser system at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh has been properly maintained and remains in full working condition.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
CBC
11 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Saint Andrews town council votes for Market Wharf refurbishment despite public pushback
The meeting room at the W. C. O'Neill Arena was over capacity on Tuesday night as Saint Andrews town council decided the fate of the Market Wharf refurbishment. In a six-to-one vote, the project will go out to tender, with construction to start as soon as possible. The goal is to finish before next year's tourist season. The vote came after a two-month coastal study from engineering firm Gemtec concluded the proposed infill design "has minimal impact on flow patterns" and "erosion has been mitigated in the design." The study was commissioned because some residents were concerned about environmental impacts from the proposed design. The entire process has attracted a lot of interest and feedback from the community. "We had to turn people away," said Mayor Kate Akagi. "Our bylaw enforcement officer was there to keep people from filling the room." With a line of residents crowding around the door, Akagi said it wasn't typical of most council meetings, which see one or two residents in attendance. "As we already stated before we went through with ... Gemtec, if there was little movement and influx, then we would go forward with the tendering," said Akagi. "And that's what we've done." The study cost the town $25,000. "I'm not a scientist," said Akagi. "I have to go by what they say because we paid the money." After seven years of working on the project, council argued they've had enough consultation and need to get the project started before funding runs out. Residents like Tom Sparling did not agree. After lengthy debate, Saint Andrews moves ahead with wharf revitalization 2 hours ago After almost two hours of debate, Saint Andrews town council voted 6-1 to continue with the tender process for a major wharf revitalization project. "It's never too late to do the right thing," said Sparling. "Lots of projects go through a process and don't get built." Sparling was one of many residents who participated in the initial hearings for the wharf refurbishment. He lives on Water Street, down the coast from the wharf. "It's going to be horrific in terms of what it does visually," said Sparling. "I think it's going to be a scar on the face of a very historic town." When Sparling was asked if he thinks there are any positives with moving forward with the wharf project, he simply said, "No." Resident Steve Saunders agrees. "I've been going out on the wharf since I was little," said Saunders. "This thing that the town is proposing is an eyesore for what people come to Saint Andrews to see." Saunders, who has a background in computational fluid dynamic engineering, made a peer review presentation of the study at the meeting. "What [Gemtec] was asked to do by the town was not rigorous enough from an environmental standpoint," said Saunders. "Their assessment of sediment transport was insufficient, they only took four samples." Gemtec responded to CBC News in a statement and said "adjacent landowners should not be concerned about erosion from this structure." Saunders also presented to the council back in 2023 and pointed out that infill similar to the proposed design is illegal in many states in the United States. However, he ran into a roadblock at Tuesday's meeting. "I'd like to amend the agenda," said Coun. Kurt Gumushel at Tuesday's meeting to "skip tonight's presentation and move to the business at hand." Gumushel argued that Section 21.3 of the Local Governance Act states that without two-thirds of council agreeing, they cannot have a presentation twice on the same topic. They went to a vote and allowed Saunders to present. "I think maybe they were afraid of what I had to say," said Saunders. Council will meet in August to discuss the tendering of the project.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Chesterton chooses Z-gate to enhance pedestrian safety at downtown crossing
A Z-gate crossing will be installed at the Calumet Road railroad tracks in Chesterton's downtown to improve pedestrian safety. Chesterton's Redevelopment Commission, which is made up of the five Town Council members, chose the Z-gate option during the Monday meeting before the council session. The town decided it needed to do something to enhance pedestrian safety at the prominent downtown railroad crossing because a 60-space parking lot was recently developed at nearby Grant Avenue. The new lot has become popular with those who attend the European Market, which operates on Saturdays in the downtown, May through October. The Feb. 28 death of a 70-year-old male bicyclist at the Calumet Road railroad crossing also brought the issue into focus. All five commission members were in agreement that the perpendicular configured Z-gate crossing, for $350,000, was the best option. The Lochmueller Group was authorized to begin the process, which may take up to two years to complete. Assistant Town Engineer Matt Gavelek said the reason why the process takes two years is the town has to go through an extensive permit process because the project involves working around railroad tracks. Councilwoman Erin Collins, D-2nd, said she felt the perpendicular Z-gate crossing design was the best safety choice, though it is costly. The Z-gate crossing would funnel pedestrians from the parking lot to walk in a zig-zag way, forcing them to look both ways while crossing the tracks south into the Thomas Centennial Park. Collins said the cheaper option mostly involved painting a crosswalk, but the Z-gate forces a pedestrian to look left and right. Councilman James Ton, R-1st, said that it's important to be cost-conscious, but the longer he considered the options, it became clear that the Z-gate was the way to go. 'It's better to do it right than to do it fast,' Ton said. Council also unanimously decided that it would retain the Harris, Lukmann & Welsh law firm to continue handling the town's legal affairs, which it has done for 45 years. Council decided after putting out a request for proposal and interviewing several law firms. Councilwoman Jennifer Fisher, R-5th, who is an attorney herself, in February advocated for the council to reconsider its contractual arrangement for legal representation. Fisher wanted the contract to be on a fixed-rate basis. The contract calls for the town to pay a monthly $9,840 fixed-rate retainer fee for services rendered to the town. Fisher said she is satisfied with the new contract and that it's a 'much better arrangement.' Connor Nolan from the firm will serve as the town attorney. Nolan has served as an associate town attorney for years. Chuck Lukmann, who had been town attorney for 45 years, stepped aside in February from the job. Council also approved the hiring of the London Witte Group to prepare a fiscal plan for the proposed annexation of 70 acres in Liberty Township, which are part of the Brassie Golf Club property, into Chesterton. PMM Chesterton, owners of the golf course, want to put a housing development on the golf course property, which covers 200 acres. Fisher said she has spoken with the developers and they appreciate the input received and want to go forward. At a May meeting of the Advisory Plan Commission, three members raised questions about the proposed housing density. The fiscal plan part of the annexation projects what the costs would be for the town to serve the new property. PMM Chesterton will pay for the contract with the London Witte Group. Councilman Dane Lafata, D-3rd, said he believed that the 70 acres should have been within the town limits years before when the Brassie Golf Club was operating.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Site confirmed for potential new £100k sports area in town
The location of where a new £100,000 sports facility could be built has been announced, as planning permission is sought out. The decision to try and build a Multi Use Sports Area (known as a MUSA) in Royal Wootton Bassett was first announced in June 2025, when town councillors resolved to turn this idea into a reality. The MUSA would include a hard court and fenced area, providing the space for a variety of sports to be played, including football, hockey, basketball and more. According to councillors, it's been a "long-term aim" of the council, and now further steps have been taken to get the ball rolling. One month on from the town council's decision to pursue this, a location and cost for the proposed sports area has been confirmed. Here's how the sports area could look if plans get the green light (Image: Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council) If planning permission is approved, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council hopes to build the MUSA on Showfield Park, using a £90,000 grant secured from Community First, as well as 10 per cent of the council's own contribution from the Community Infrastructure Levy funds. "Following feedback from residents, the town council will be installing the MUSA at our Showfield Park and believes this new investment to the park will be welcomed by the local community," said a spokesperson for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council. "The MUSA will create an accessible, free-to-access site, supporting one of the Town Council's emerging objectives, Healthy and Safe in Bassett." The Town Council has also confirmed it is working closely with Scarrott's Fun Fair, which is based on the Showfield, to ensure minimal impact to the running of the fair. Showfield Park could become home to the town's first MUSA (Image: Google Maps) In order for work on the MUSA to begin, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council must now apply for planning permission and secure the green light from Wiltshire Council. Members of the community including local schools and Rise Trust Youth Club will also be contacted to help shape the sports area in a way that will best benefit young people in the town. Recommended reading: Progress made in project to bring fast food chain to town centre Fears over smell from planned food waste facility addressed Road closure halted amid 'unacceptable' 14-mile diversion Already, residents from across town have taken to social media to have their say on the plans. Commenters have called this "fantastic news" and "a brilliant idea", with some raising questions about why a location for a town skatepark can't be found so easily. It comes after years of campaigns for the skatepark - an idea which the town council said it supported in 2023 but struggled to find a suitable location for. Responding to the concerns, chief officer Mark Hopkins clarified: "The rules on where to put a skatepark are very different, and Showfield is not a suitable location from the assessment work I commissioned. "We do have a skatepark working group with residents."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Residents demand answers over ongoing footpath closure at beauty spot
Residents came together at a council meeting to air their frustrations at the ongoing closure of a footpath to a beauty spot. Kirkby Lonsdale residents turned out in large numbers at the town council meeting to hear from councillors and local MPs about plans for the footpath which has been closed for almost four years. Notice was given in November 2021 that the 140m stretch of the public footpath at Ruskin's View would be closed for repairs after a landslip left the path dangerous to the public. Residents were told last month that the footpath would not be reopened as originally planned with the new target date in November 2025. A resident present at the meeting said: 'There is extreme dissatisfaction despite continuing expenditure that the footpath across the Brow remains closed. 'I volunteered to give advice to the Town Council since retiring from a career in management on construction and civil engineering projects. I was invited to become a member of the Town Council Technical Team which is headed by a consultant with no professional qualifications. Unfortunately, due to a constant conflict of opinions, I resigned.' Residents were told that the date for reopening relies on the insertion of boreholes to register movement in the ground - the exact cost of which is unclear with amounts of up to £250,000 quoted during this month's meeting. Read more Dentdale: MP meets with family of sick child hit by road closure Arnside: Silverdale Road closed for 21 days due to burst water main Lake District litter warning after toddler needed stitches Malcolm Perrin, health and safety consultant and head of the town council technical team, set out targets for a longer term plan to prevent further erosion of the river bank, a project that the council estimate will cost £2million. Mr Perrin said: "Our primary goal is to reopen the remaining section of The Brow footpath as soon as possible, building on last year's success when we reopened the first part up to the initial Ruskin's View platform. "For over a year now, we've published monthly Technical Reports on the KLTC website, detailing progress and associated costs. These are available for public review." Concerns were raised about the presence of Japanese knotweed on adjacent land that would need to be accessed for the works to be carried out with residents worried about impact to the water safety on this site. "Both Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam pose a risk of spreading via foot traffic from the River Lune into residential areas," said Mr Perrin. "As part of our duty of care, we're proposing to install a single fence panel to block the narrow track and guide pedestrians around the affected area, rather than through it. "Additionally, I've observed signs of pollution along the river walk between Kirkby Lonsdale and Devil's Bridge since April this year. I've been documenting these findings and have reported the matter to the Environment Agency." The footpath closure will be discussed further at the the next town council meeting on Wednesday, August 20.
