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The
Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa
Tuesday,
January 31, 2006 | |
Council moves forward with walkway project
by Brian Cook |
The Manchester City Council, at its regular meeting on Jan. 23, approved a motion to adopt a resolution finally approving and confirming plans for the Bailey Drive and South Brewer Walkway Project.
The Council was troubled by the news that the low bid of $396,000 by Tschiggfrie Excavating of Dubuque was much higher than the estimated cost of $332,000. Some of the increases found in the bid were for a box culvert extension, which was 170 percent of the estimate. Also earthwork costs were three times higher than expected.
“Free money isn’t always free money,” Council member Jeff Ogden said of the $300,000 in grants the City of Manchester will receive for the project, which it will now have to match with $100,000 in funding.
Ogden went on to say, “I think if we want sidewalks all over town, the Council should mandate that we have sidewalks.”
There was no public comment during the hearing.
The council also adopted a resolution allocating part of the cost of the Schram Drive Project to XL Trailers in the amount of $6,000. The City moved the location of the Schram Drive extension at the request of XL Trailers.
The Council also approved issuing $500,000 in TIF Bonds to XL Trailers for the expansion of their Manchester facility.
During the consent agenda portion of the meeting, the Council approved raising the solid waste fees. The collection fee for solid waste and recyclable collection will be $10.35 per month for each dwelling. The fee will cover three bags of solid waste and three containers of recyclables per week.
The Council also amended the ordinance pertaining to utility deposits. Someone applying for water service, which does not own the property and does not have a valid prior deposit on record, will be required to pay $75 before receiving water service.
The Council also approved the purchase of a new squad car for the Manchester Police Department.
Chief Bruce Trapp submitted a plan to get a 2006 Chevy Impala with a police package for $20,400 from Stephen Motors. A trade of $3,200 will be allowed for the 2001 Crown Victoria, for a total cost of $17,200. |
| Appleton crowned Iowa Pork Queen |
Amber Appleton from Delaware County was crowned the 2006 Iowa Pork Queen at the Jan. 25 Iowa Pork Congress banquet. She is the daughter of Nancy Appleton of Greeley and is a freshman at Iowa State University.
Amber and the reigning pork princess and premier pork youth associate will serve as representatives for the Iowa Pork Producers Association and assist with pork promotional and educational activities throughout the year. The combined programs will be known as the Iowa Pork Youth Team. |
Amber Appleton
2006 Iowa Pork Queen |
Public hearing set for construction of swine confinement operation
By Julie Sunne |
A public hearing on a construction permit for A & L Investments to build a swine confinement operation in Union Township is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 1:15 p.m. in the county supervisor’s office.
The date was set at the Jan. 23 Delaware County Board of Supervisor’s meeting.
The permit is for the construction of three 288 foot x 51-foot units with manure facilities. Due to the size of the proposed operation (5400 head or 2160 animal units), the county manure management matrix goes into effect. A first step in that matrix is a public hearing.
The Board also approved the transfer of $4000 from the clerk of court fund to the medical examiner fund. The transfer was necessary because of the increased cost to the medical examiner, especially in the area of autopsies.
A resolution was passed to disallow the Family Farm Credit for eight families in the county. The properties in question have been sold, reclassified as commercial, or are no longer being rented to a family member.
Discussion was brought up about the Hartwick Bridge replacement project and what will be done to allow more water to get under the bridge during times of flood. A preliminary engineering study has been done and a public hearing will be scheduled at a later date to further discuss the findings and residents’ concern. |
Federal agencies play key role in local land management
By Julie Sunne |
When establishing a land management plan, it is hard to avoid consulting the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) or Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Both United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies have so much to offer in the way of, not only what is available in federal programs, but also information on state, local, and private programs and funding.
Every county in Iowa is serviced by a partnership consisting of FSA, NRCS, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), and the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). IDALS is a state agency dedicated to promoting and protecting Iowa’s agriculture, soil, and water. SWCD is made up of elected volunteer commissioners whose job is to coordinate assistance and form partnerships to develop locally driven conservation solutions. SWCD is essential to the partnership because it brings back local control.
These four separate entities work together to ensure that information is disseminated, assistance provided, and funding allocated at a local level. Landowners interested in utilizing the services of the partnership must first have an objective in mind for their land.
“The first thing a landowner must decide is what they want to manage their land for,” said Keith Krause, District Conservationist for NRCS. “We assist landowners in making good environmentally sound decisions based on their goals and objectives.”
There are many different conservation practices landowners can utilize to meet their objectives. These practices are administered through various programs.
One of the most popular natural resource programs offered by the USDA is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). It is one of several federal, state, and local conservation programs that farmers can use to solve their natural resource concerns. EQIP offers financial, educational, and technical help to establish management practices such as manure management systems, pest management, and erosion control through 5 to 10 year contracts.
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) provides financial incentives to develop habitat for fish and wildlife on private lands. A 5- to 10- year contract is entered into for the implementation of a wildlife habitat development plan. Practices that are supported through WHIP include seeding, tree and shrub plantings, fencing, in-stream structures, and prairie restoration.
Another program that is available for area landowners, but not utilized a lot, is the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). It is a first come-first serve program to restore wetlands. Permanent or 30-year conservation easements are established or a restoration cost-share agreement (with no easement) entered into. Payment is based on the type of easement or agreement, with 75 to 100 percent of the cost of the restoration covered.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the federal government’s single largest environmental improvement program and probably the most publicly recognized. It encourages landowners to use various practices, such as prairie restoration, wildlife plantings, trees, filter strips, or riparian buffers, to protect highly erodible cropland or environmentally sensitive land. A multi-year contract is entered into with annual rental payments. Cost sharing is provided for establishing the cover.
Most landowners are familiar with general CRP, but aren’t aware of continuous CRP. In general CRP there are certain sign-up periods during which applications are accepted. Continuous CRP allows landowners to sign up for certain high-priority conservation practices any time during the year.
Practices eligible for continuous CRP include filter strips, riparian buffers, shelterbelts, field windbreaks, living snow fences, grass waterways, and shallow water areas for wildlife.
The NRCS office is very interested in spreading the word about this program. It is a great opportunity for landowners to establish a conservation practice and protect their land.
No matter how many programs are available, landowners must first decide what they want to do with their land. Krause maintains that no matter what the landowners’ objectives are, even if they’re purely economic, the NRCS office can provide alternatives that encompass conservation practices while maintaining those objectives.
“Economic goals and conservation practices can still go hand in hand,” he emphasized.
For more information on conservation and land management practices, or to set up an appointment to develop a management plan, call 927-4250 or 927-4590.
For general information on any of the above organizations visit them online: National Association of Conservation Districts at www.nacdnet.org, Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Society at www.iaswcs.org, FSA at www.fsa.usda.gov, NRCS at www.nrcs.usda.gov, and IDALS at www.agriculture.state.ia.us. |
Chamber announces 2005 awards
By Brian Cook |
| At its annual awards banquet Wednesday evening, the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce announced several awards. Chamber member and owner of Lila’s Frame Studio, Lila Deutmeyer was awarded the Ernest Hayhow Chamber Person of The Year Award, by Chamber President Rick Aleman for her efforts on behalf of the Chamber and its members. The citation pointed out that Lila is being recognized not only for her willingness to support and assist with Chamber activities, but also for her readiness to aid, counsel and cooperate with other area merchants. |
BRIAN COOK/Press
Lila Deutmeyer accepts the 2005 Ernest Hayhow Chamber Person of the Year award from 2006 Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce President Rick Aleman during the 2005 Annual Award last Wednesday. See more photos on page 2A |
On behalf of the Chamber, President Aleman also presented Patricia Becker, Sue McCormac and Jo Ellen Holtorf with the Delaware County Meritorious Service Award in recognition of their commitment and efforts on behalf of the volunteers who work with Operation Santa Claus, the Relay for Life Project and the American Cancer Society.
Committee Chairman Brian Pralle accepted the Chamber’s Outstanding Program Award on behalf of Manchester’s Downtown Incentives Program. This program, a joint effort of the City of Manchester and the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce, was awarded to recognize how successful and beneficial this program has been to downtown Manchester.
Carolyn Lammer’s, manager of the Casey’s store located on the north end of town, accepted a plaque recognizing Casey’s for being a 25-year member of the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dave Smith received the Past Presidents Award in recognition of his leadership of the Chamber during the 2005 calendar year.
President Aleman pointed out that the individuals recognized and receiving awards at this banquet, were nominated by someone familiar with the labor and dedication that goes into performing works that benefit our entire community and believed that some public acknowledgement was due. |
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