1969.03.04_TC_Minutes
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MINUTES: TOWN COMMISSION OF HIGHLAND BEACH - March 4, 1969
The regular meeting of the Town Commission was called to order by Mayor
Horton on March 4, 1969 at 7:10 P. M. All Commissioners were present,
with the exception of Commissioner McCook, who was i11.
The minutes of the regular February 4th Town Meeting and workshop meetings
of February 20th and 28th were read. A correction on the 28th meeting was
noted and the others stood approved as read, by the affirmative vote of
all present.
Commissioner Beekman reported no correspondence.
Mayor Horton reported he had met with Mrs. Noble at the Town Attorney's
office for the taking of a deposition in connection with the suit against
the Town by Terra Mar Inc. He also added that the trial has been reset
for the 20th of March. The Mayor reported that the Delray [n~hitehouse prop-
erty Attorney advised the Town Attorney on the sale of such, but added
that two or three months may elapse before any final outcome is noted.
A letter has been sent to them asking that the following be accomplished:
1. clean underbrush and trim hedge; 2. board up openings; 3. post No Tres-
passing signs. The `Town Attorney has been instructed to stay with this
matter because of'~eyesore condition that exists there. Reporting for Mr.
Stewart, 'the Mayor reported on the Police matter that there is still no
offer from any Insurance company for false arrest, libel, and the attend-
ant perils coverage which the Attorney feels is imperative. The agent is
still poking, however for such coverage. Mayor Horton read a letter from
the County Administrator of Palm Beach Countyabout the appointment of a
representative from the Town for}'~activating the Palm Beach County Ambulance
Services committee. He said he would investigate and report later.
Commissioner Beekman reported the taxes collected to date are $ 48,523.19.
Outstanding are $ 7,334.44.
Mayor Horton reported in the absence of Commissioner McCook the Financial
report and stated that the Town is solvent and in pretty good shape.
Vice-Mayor Vedder reported on zoning that he and. the Mayor met with Mr.
Barrows last Friday and that work was progressing satisfactorily on the
zonipg study.
Commissioner Hackman reported that the water consumption was up two million
gallons for the month of February and that 280 tests were taken. The water
is judged as fine as can be produced. The lime pump ,has been installed, soft-
ening will be done gradually and eventually a better quality will be noticed.
In this past week the water plant operators discovered one of the major
reasons for air in the water. Air was being sucked on the south side of
the water plant storage tank, but the connections have been tightened up,
and it is hoped. that a gasket wont have to be installed. The pressure /~j
problem has been corrected at the DeGanahl properly at a cost of $„kl'5~.0
so not all water income is profit; there are costs. The problem has been ~ ~~~q
corrected at 2465 South Ocean, also. Mr. Hachman further reported that a ~
• new pump was ordered at a cost of $1,008.00 and suggested this be approved.
`~ ~ A contract from Technic Instruments Co. for repairs on instruments and
~-~""'~ meters was submitted and Mayor Horton asked for a motion on a six month
basis. Commissioner Hackman moved it be accepted and Commissioner Beekman
MINUTES: TOWN COMMISSION OF HIGHLAND BEACH - March 4, 1969 Page tw
• seconded. Open discussion followed and it was unanimously passed. A pro-
posal was read from Southern Bell to replace underground pipe at Bel Air
Drive and Highland Beach Drive and Commissioner Hackman made a motion to
accept it. Vice-Mayor seconded and it was unanimously carried. Mr. Hack-
man reported that the north end of Town is without enough hydrants and
submitted an estimated cost of $262.00 each, labor $350.OO.Within the
next few weeks repairs on the hydrants at the south end should be com-
pleted. Col. Burnside asked for the abolishing of the ad hoc water com-
mittee, which he headed, to avoid duplication. He suggested investigating
signs for the water line under the Intracoastal Canal and Commissioner
Hackman moved that the Town provide adequate ( about 25 Sq. feet) warning
signs-on the east side of the canal and request Boca Raton for permission
to erect signs on the west side. Commissioner Beekman seconded with dis-
cussion following. The Commission was reminded that this vital water link
should be protected by warning signs. It was unanimously carried. Col.
Burnside also suggested re-establishing with Delray on the water hook up
for auxiliary water if the Town's breaks down. He further suggested a
contract for emergency work on the whole system. Commissioner Hackman
lauded Col. Burnside's work and cooperation, citing how invaluable he is
to the Town and would like to have him continue as he could hardly be re-
placed. Col. Burnside gave the Mayor an estimate for work on installing
guages in the repump station and treatment plant by Harvel and Deland
and Commissioner Hackman moved that it be completed. It was seconded by
Vice-Mayor Vedder and after open discussion it was unanimously passed.
• Mayor Horton commented on Col. Burnside's resignation with regret and the
ad hoc water committee will be dissolved.
In the expanded. services report, Vice-Mayor Vedder stated that the minutes
of the workshop meetings explained. the progress on the sewers and that
Russell & Axon had sent the cost figures to Delray. The results should be
known shortly. The final engineering of plans for phase #1 will be within
the next three or four weeks, after correspondence between the Town Attorney
and the Attorney representing the builders.
Mr. Kemery reporting for the planning committee asked that serious con-
sideration be given to the future four laning of AlA, advising additional
setbacks on the west side of the highway to provide for this. Mayor Horton
asked what legal steps might be involved and asked for a plan in writing
for the Commission to act upon.
Commissioner Beekman read a zoning ordinance changing the limited busi-
ness areas to R4A and R4B. This was the first reading and it was posted
on the bulletin board.
Mrs. Roth asked how much water was in the storage tanks in case of emer-
gency. Commissioner Hackman Mated there is 300,000 gallons in the tank
behind Town Hall and 125,000 gallons at the water plant and that there
are LPgas engines in case of power failure.
• Commissioner Beekman reported that he has bids for landscaping and a
sprinkler system at the water plant and that this will be brought up at
a workshop meeting.
MINUTES: TOWN COMMISSION OF HIGHLAND BEACH - March 4 1969 Page three
• Mrs. Roth reminded the Commission that there are drainage canals for
mosquito control and that they should be kept open. She said that there
is one near the Delray Whitehouse property that is closed and that when
the men are here checking them she will try to report it.
Mayor Horton stated that he was recently informed that the St. Lucy Par-
ish is conducting services in a residence north of Town Hall. A request
from the Priest for a sign stating this was referred to the zoning com-
mittee, but was denied because the Town Ordinances do not provide for
churches. There has been correspondence between the Town Attorney and the
Diocesan Attorney as to the legality of ordinances not allowing churches,
but no report has been received as yet. The Commission is sworn to uphold
Ordinances so there is a question as to the hazard arising from parking
at these services. A question was asked if an ordinance prohibits churches
and the Mayor stated that ordinances provide for residential only. It is
now up to the Attorneys to decide if the land was acquired under false or
mis-information as this is not allowable under current zoning.
Mayor Horton read the outstanding bills and they were unanimously approved
for payment.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P. M.
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