By BETH ZUMWALT
Bluffs is going all out at Christmas this year. In addition to the village’s regular house decorating contests, the village is hosting Santa in the Park.
The activities were discussed at the Bluffs Village Board meeting Nov. 6.
“Santa will arrive at the park at 6 p.m. on the fire truck,” Linda Sapp, village board president, said. “He will be in our new Santa house handing out candy and gifts.”
Sapp said the library, next to the park, will be open and will also have treats for the children and the village’s Christmas lights will be officially turned on.
The house decorating contest will work nearly the same as in past years with one exception.
“The house winning first will receive $50 and the five runner-up will received $25,” Sapp said. “In the past everyone received the same amount.”
The village also heard a report about a recent water main break on Main Street, near the post office. The main broke when a hydrant was hit by a grain truck.
Clay Coats and Dwayne Cawthon put in many extra house to get the main repaired. Still left to do is to fix the blacktop that has an estimated cost of $10,000. Board members agreed unanimously to repair the break and not patch it. Sapp said she hasn’t received all of the bills yet but expects the total cost to be around $50,000. The owner of the truck’s insurance will cover the costs of the repair.
The village had received about one-half of their $89,000 COVID federal funds and at least part will be used to by a generator for the village. The money has to be spent by 2026 and can be used for a variety of things, according to Sapp.
Sapp also reported the house on Rogers Street has been discussed with the owner, the owner is cleaning up the property on Wilson Street and there has been no update on the house on Brady Street.”
The board went into closed session at 6:26 p.m. and returned regular session at 7:12 p.m. and took no action.
