Latest news with #towncouncil
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Swimmers protest after Weymouth's ‘beloved' sea rafts removed over health and safety fears
Protesters have taken to the sea in Weymouth over the sudden removal of the 'beloved' floating sea rafts – which had been in place for over 80 years – over health and safety concerns. The town council removed the two platforms due to safety concerns around blind spots to the RNLI lifeguards on duty, but the move has been accused of being a 'cost-cutting measure'. Local residents have taken to the waters to protest against their removal and demand their return as soon as possible. Jade O'Brien, who launched a petition to the council, said: 'For over 40 years the rafts have stood in these waters, providing safe recreation and cherished experiences for generations. ' Weymouth town council decided to remove these beloved rafts, citing safety concerns of blind spots to the lifeguard on duty. 'However, incidents have been rare, and Greenhill Beach has consistently maintained a strong safety record. It doesn't make sense.' She continued: 'The rafts not only signify leisure but are integral to our community. They encourage children to exercise, learn to swim, and develop water confidence. 'By removing them, we are not only subtracting an element of enjoyment but also diminishing the vitality of Greenhill Beach.' Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition to restore the rafts, while the council have denied it forms part of a cost-cutting move. In a statement on their website, they said that the council had been informed on 10 July that RNLI would not include a platform or pontoon as part of their primary or secondary areas of operation, and so the rafts would not be considered as part of their immediate responsibilities. This was due to them creating a 'blind spot for the lifeguards which operate from the beach and therefore pose a risk to members of the public'. As a result, the council's insurance providers confirmed they were unable to offer cover in the event of claim for incident or accident. A spokesperson for the council said: 'We remain committed to trying to find a way to get the rafts returned to Greenhill Beach. To do this we will continue to work with our partners and take advice on how we can achieve this. 'Our goal is to get the rafts back out in the sea as soon as possible, whilst ensuring that the council's legal health and safety obligations are met.'
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
One Colorado town's police try to keep up with growth as officials say fire, public works also need funding
When responding to an emergency, every moment counts, especially as Colorado's communities grow. According to the latest census report, Erie is the 15th fastest-growing town in the country, and now its emergency services are trying to keep up. Erie Police Chief Lee Mathis has worked at the department for decades. He's watched the town and department grow, but one is certainly outpacing the other. "We need more officers, obviously, and we need a bigger building -- more space to do our job. Our evidence room is nearly full. We need more parking spaces for more police cars. We need more lockers for more police officers," Mathis said. So he's asking town council not just for a bigger building, but also for a bigger team. "We are below the national average for officers per population," Mathis said. "(Erie) has grown rapidly over the last five years. I think that that's caught us a little bit by surprise." Mathis says his department is working under long-term planning goals, but there's certainly been a spike in people moving to the town. According to Census data, the population grew 9.2% between 2023 and 2024. In that same time frame, Erie police say calls for service have gone up about 20%, as two officers were added to the previous 46 on the force. All of the officers now serve close to 40,000 people, and it has impacted response times. "We've gone from a minute for a priority 1 call to three (minutes), just because of the call volume," Mathis said. "Two minutes sounds like a short period of time, but I know it's a long period of time when it's a life safety issue." Mathis explained that during the Fourth Of July holiday, officers were spread so thin that they were unable to respond to all firework calls. But Erie police aren't the only ones asking for the town council's help to keep up with growing demand. "You can't double a town and not continue to invest in our facilities," Erie Mayor Andrew Moore said. "But that's also true for public works. You think about the next snowstorm that rolls in; it's not like we can just staff the police, but forget about public works, right?" Moore explained the town is also working to assess needs for recreation and entertainment centers and other facilities that have a higher demand as population grows. And while the growth rate may change, Moore says he wants to prepare as he expects the town to keep growing for years to come. But as thousands move in and funds are limited, Erie's mayor is giving residents their own say in what council should prioritize in next year's budget. "We've got a survey that's going to every single home," Moore said. "I'm hopeful that we'll get a large participation rate to really help guide myself and council on, 'what are the priorities?'" Meanwhile, Erie police hope they're one of those priorities. "If you don't have the revenues coming in to fulfill those long-term staffing goals, sometimes you have to put those things off," Mathis said. "We have a low crime rate, and we want to keep it that way." Town leaders are expected to look at the budget next week. Some possible funding sources could include current taxes, the town's revenue fund, or possibly asking the voters if they'd like to increase the town's sales tax in the future.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Town Council balks at purchase of Lettiere Tract water system
Jul. 20—WATERTOWN — James V. Lettiere was assured that he'd be able to get a water district formed for the subdivision that he owns in the town of Watertown. But those plans hit a major detour when the Town Council on Thursday night voted, 3-2, against the water district for the Lettiere Tract, leaving the deal that's been in the works for more than a year up in the air. "Are we going to have to go back to square one?" he said Saturday. To get the water district formed, Lettiere had to get enough residents to sign a petition to okay the deal. He had been told that a sufficient number of residents signed petitions for the project to move forward. The Town Council on Thursday night unanimously agreed that there were enough signatures. But when the vote to approve the water district came up, council members went into an executive session for about 10 minutes to discuss forming the district. They then came out and voted against the matter. Council members Michael Perkins, Joanne McClusky and Robert J. Slye opposed it, while Councilman David Prosser and Town Supervisor Joel R. Bartlett supported it. On Friday, Bartlett said he didn't know what the town's next move would be. The water district also would include about 15 homes on outer Ives Street. Bartlett doesn't know if the Town Council will decided to eliminate the Outer Ives Street portion of the district. Council members could just agree to move forward with the district consisting of only the 119 homes in the subdivision or "just drop the project," Bartlett said. "I don't know what's going to happen," he said. Neither does Lettiere. "I was disappointed," he said. "I don't know if they're going to change the project." The town would pay Lettiere $500,000 to purchase the subdivision's water system. On Thursday night, a Lettiere Tract resident questioned whether Lettiere should have been allowed to gather signatures since he was the one who was going to benefit from the deal. Lettiere said that the Town Council had approved that arrangement. Although the water system has been appraised for $650,000, Lettiere said he would move forward with the $500,000 "because that's the price I've said right along." For years, the 50-year water system has been the subject of much discussion over its fate. Some people have questioned its condition. Lettiere formally approached the town with the proposal in February 2023. Lettiere, 71, hopes that the project moves forward because he'd like to retire. Water users in the new district would pay $489 a year on the debt for the 30-year bond. They also would pay $8.02 per 1,000 gallons of water. According to the town, 51% of 147 property owners and 51% of the assessed valuation needed to sign the petition for the water district to move forward. Of those 147, 119 residents live in the Lettiere Tract and 17 own vacant lots. The four council members could not be reached for comment. Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Guildford could have town council for first time
Guildford could soon have its own town council for the first other areas, the Surrey town relies solely on borough councillors to raise "hyperlocal" issues, the Local Democracy Reporting Service new council could oversee things like town events, public toilets, community grants and local planning agreed, Guildford Town Council would be funded through an increase in council tax for those living under its authority. Roughly £300,000 could be spent in the first year to set up the town council, which would be funded by Guildford Borough the number of councillors and a budget would likely be determined through a public proposed town council would likely include wards such as Onslow, Stoke, Holy Trinity and will be asked whether they want the new council through what is known as a community governance review, but ultimately, Guildford Borough Council would have the final say on whether to establish the new body.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Illuminations could return to Teignmouth seafront
Illuminations could return to a Devon seafront if a £60,000 town council scheme gets the backing of the county old decorative lights in Teignmouth were removed in 2021 when the lampposts supporting them were condemned by Devon County Council's health and safety Town Council has set aside the funding for 40 fish-and-anchor-themed illuminated panels to be installed on the replacement lampposts, subject to plans being approved by the county Mayor Councillor Cate Williams said the illuminations would be an "investment in our town's economy and vibrancy" if approved by Devon County Hall. The town council said £60,000 had been set aside in its 2025 to 2026 budget for the illuminations. "It's seaside, it's family friendly and what people expect when they come to a seaside town," said Williams."It's colourful and bright, it uplifts people when they come and sit by the sea or have a stroll along the promenade."She added: "Money is always tight of course but it's how you use the money you do have that counts, and also that you explain to residents why you're spending their council tax.'This will be an investment in our town's economy and vibrancy and we'll all reap the benefits in due course by maintaining Teignmouth's enviable reputation as both a great place to live and visit." Town Clerk Iain Wedlake said the current designs for the illuminations were "motifs which you see all around Teignmouth, of the fish and anchor"."The actual installation would be swift but we cannot proceed without the two permissions from Devon and Teignbridge," he said. "That process has taken about four months so far and we're hopeful that decisions will soon be made and we can appoint contractors to start work."
