Slater's clean-up program sees progress

Council members heard about one nearly finished project and one potential project.

Council member Terry Jordan told the council that Habitat for Humanity is planning a dedication of its two new houses at 5 p.m. Nov. 2.

He said the second house still needs just a few details to be finished but both are now occupied and according to Mayor Stephen Allegri the new homes "really improved that neighborhood."

And as that project reaches a happy conclusion, another appears on the horizon.

Allegri announced that a company had expressed interest in building two three-bedroom homes on city-owned property at Lincoln and Broadway.

If the company proceeds with construction, the city will provide the land, he said.

"Our only obligation is the property," he said. "The city is really not out anything."

The council voted unanimously to support that project.

Allegri said the two projects were part of the city's efforts to become "the cleanest little town in Missouri."

Allegri also announced that the street program is resuming maintenance work, including slurry sealing and crack sealing.

Assistant City Administrator Gene Griffith noted that tree trimming will begin Nov. 1.

Griffith said last winter, during which the area experienced a number of ice storms, proved how important it is to keep tree limbs away from power lines.

"As unpopular as it is, it works," he said. "We've proven it over and over."

Ideally, property owners should keep their own trees trimmed, he said, but if they fail to do so, city crews will do the work in order to reduce the chances of power outages due to downed limbs.

Council members also heard an update of coming events in "the city of festivals."

Allegri announced that the Kansas City Southern Railroad Holiday Express, or "Santa Train" as it is popularly called, will return to Slater for the third year in a row.

"They get such a warm response here," he said. "They love coming here and we love having them."

The train is expected to be in Slater Wednesday, Dec. 17, he said.

Other coming events include:

--Halloween Parade, Oct. 31,

--Veterans Day ceremony at Slater High School, 10 a.m. Nov. 11,

--Holiday lighting ceremony and ham and turkey giveaway, Nov. 26, and

--Winter Fest and Homes Tour, Dec. 6.

All council members were present. The next regular meeting of the council will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net