City Connections - September Edition

Mosquito Prevention Is the Best Solution

Mosquito season is here!  City staff will be monitoring mosquito updates for the Denton County area.  Here are some tips to help prevent mosquito breeding habitat.  

• Empty out standing water from idle containers such as flower pots, buckets, cups and dog bowls
• Clean bird baths regularly.

How to Protect Stormwater Quality

You can protect our untreated water resources:

• Report illegal dumping;
• Use the least toxic alternatives for managing pests and diseases in landscapes;
• Follow package directions when applying pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers;
• Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers when rain is expected;
• Recycle or properly dispose of toxic chemicals in your home.  For more information on free drop-off locations for household chemicals, call the City of Highland Village Public Works Office at 972-899-5091.

Water Conservation

PHASE ONE – SEASONAL CONSERVATION IN EFFECT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30

Want to Save Water By The Yard? Water Your Landscape Wisely

The City’s Landscape Water Management Ordinance is designed to minimize the waste of water used for irrigating and private service line water leaks.  Please visit our website to view the complete ordinance.

Smoke and Television Testing of the Sewer Lines

Sanitary sewer systems in the U.S. began in the mid 1800’s.  They are built to carry domestic wastewater away from private properties.  The City has developed a program to check the integrity of the system through smoke testing and televising the lines.  Smoke testing is primarily performed during the dry season so the smoke will rise to the surface exposing broke down areas.  The City is performing smoke testing on 20% of the system each year.  If your area will be one of the areas tested, you will receive information prior to starting the project.

Save a Life – Learn CPR

The Highland Village Fire Department conducts monthly CPR and Health Care Provider courses. This training covers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Adults, Infants and Children and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training.

Upcoming Class Dates:  Thursday, September 10  6:00-9:00 PM and Thursday, October 1  6:00-9:00 PM

CPR Costs: $25 for residents, $45 for non-residents ~ HC Provider Costs:  $35 for residents, $55 for non-residents

A form of ID is required for address verification. Class size is limited; please contact Highland Village Fire Department at 972-317-0890 to sign-up.

Take a Bus!

In an effort to alleviate the traffic congestion in and around the school zones, the Police Department is kicking off a new campaign to encourage families to make use of existing bus services to school next year. 

• A school bus seats 60 children – the average bus in Highland Village only has 25 riders.
• More students riding buses will relieve some of the frustrations associated with the traffic problems at the school.
• It is the “Earth Friendly” thing to do.

For information regarding the availability of bus service in your neighborhood please call Durham School Services at (972) 221-4557.

Use of Hand-Held Cell Phones Prohibited in Active School Zones

Although our current city ordinance already prohibits operation of a cell phone within a school zone unless using hands free, the State of Texas has passed a state law that prohibits this conduct also. 

House Bill 55: Prohibits an operator of a motor vehicle from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle within a school crossing zone, unless the vehicle is stopped, the cell phone is used with a hands-free device, or there’s an emergency. The new law takes effect on September 1.

Reporting Smoking Vehicles Made Easy

Do your part to improve North Texas air quality by reporting smoking vehicles. Report smoking vehicles by calling #SMOKE (#76653) from most wireless phones or filing out the Smoking Vehicle Reporting Form online at www.nctcog.org/trans/air/smoking/formn.asp. Registered owners of smoking vehicles will be informed by mail that their vehicles were reported anonymously for emitting excessive, visible exhaust emissions. Vehicle owners will be informed of the possible cause so they can correct the problems. Regular maintenance can keep vehicles from smoking. Vehicles must be inspected and registered annually.

NCTC will be served by DCTA

The Denton County Transportation Authority and North Central Texas College will jointly launch a shuttle service on August 24th to serve the college’s Corinth campus.

An agreement recently was reached between the two entities authorizing DCTA to operate a shuttle service between Lewisville and Denton to serve the campus. The contract also includes access for NCTC students to DCTA’s other services including Connect and Commuter Express.  NCTC students, faculty and staff will be required to show a valid ID. Those without a valid ID will be charged a fare.

The NCTC Shuttle will have two pick up points Monday-Friday at the Denton Golden Triangle Mall and the Lewisville Commuter Express Park and Ride at 420 Oak Bend Blvd.The shuttle will operate between 7:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M. with one-hour frequencies. See dcta.net for full schedule.

The service contract will be funded by a student transportation fee of $1 per credit hour, up to $12 per semester.  This fee is assessed only for courses offered at the Corinth Campus and Pinnell Square. NCTC officials approved the fee June 15 and DCTA Board of Directors approved the contract on June 25th. The final contract was signed by both parties in late July.

Fall Clean-up Collection Event

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Location: Copperas Branch Park
1-35E and Highland Village Road
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon)
Due to limited capacity, may close early!
FREE to all RESIDENTS

The City of Highland Village is sponsoring the Fall Clean-up Collection Event. This event is an opportunity for Highland Village residents to dispose of the following – and at no cost to you! (Except for hard drive destruction - $10.00 per drive)

• Hazardous Waste
• Tree & Lawn Clippings
• Paper to be Shredded
• Electronics & Batteries (All Types)
• Scrap Metal
• Miscellaneous “Stuff” you don’t want anymore - but someone else might.
• Please BRING THIS NOTICE or your DRIVER’S LICENSE showing a HIGHLAND VILLAGE address, to be admitted to the collection site.
  

There is no need to bring your latex paint, you can let those cans dry out and dispose of them in your household trash.

The average household has three to ten gallons of materials that are hazardous to humans or the environment. These products should never be disposed of by pouring down the drain, on the ground, into the storm drain, or into the trash, as they can contaminate surface water, septic tanks, or even the wastewater treatment system.  We must take responsibility for taking care of this globe we call home. The City wants to help you do the right thing for our environment! For additional information, contact the Highland Village Park & Recreation department at (972) 317-7430.

The average household has three to ten gallons of materials that are hazardous to humans or the environment. These products should never be disposed of by pouring down the drain, on the ground, into the storm drain, or into the trash, as they can contaminate surface water, septic tanks, or even the wastewater treatment system.  We must take responsibility for taking care of this globe we call home. The City wants to help you do the right thing for our environment! For additional information, contact the Highland Village Park & Recreation department at (972) 317-7430.

Flu Shot Clinic

Saturday, October 10 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, October 12   10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location:  1 Community Center Drive
Ages: 9 & up
Participants with Traditional Medicare Part B must present the Medicare cards.
All other flu shots will be $25.00
Sponsored by Senior All Stars

Senior All Stars Programs

Get Ready, it’s Putt-Putt Golf Time Again!

 

Ask anyone who played in the spring league and they will tell you what a great time we had.  So come and join in on the fun, meet new people from other local centers for some friendly competition.  We will be staring the Fall Putt-Putt Golf League the first week of October. This will be for 7 weeks, for more information call 469-446-2858.

 

Choctaw Casino

 

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 and October 21, 2009! Register by the Monday before the trip.                                                          
Cost is $5, includes $10 Casino play money, $10 Black Jack play money and a $5 food coupon.                                                                                                                        
The bus leaves from the City of Highland Village Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road, at 9:00 a.m. and leaves Choctaw at 4:00 p.m.                                          

 

Grapefest

 

Thursday, September 17

Cost of trip will be $5.00 per person plus dinner on your own.

Bus will leave the City Complex at 4:00 p.m. and return approximately at 9:00 p.m.

Forth Worth Mint

Wednesday, September 23
Cost of trip will be $5.00 per person plus lunch on your own.
Please sign up by September 15
Bus will leave the Municipal Complex at 9:00 a.m. and return approximately at 3:00 p.m.

Heritage Farmstead Museum

Saturday, October 3
Cost of trip will be $8.00 per person plus lunch on your own.
Bus will leave the Municipal Complex at 11:00 a.m. and return approximately at 4:00 p.m.

 

Rose Festival in Tyler, TX

Thursday, October 8
Cost of trip will be $5.00 per person plus lunch and dinner on your own.
Please sign up by October 1
Bus will leave the Municipal Complex at 9:00 a.m. and return approximately at 8:00 p.m.

Texas State Fair

Thursday, October 15
Cost of trip will be $5.00 per person plus lunch on your own.
We will leave the Municipal Complex at 9:00 a.m. and return approximately at 4:00 p.m.
Sign up by October 12

Canton, TX Flea Market

Friday, October 30
Cost of trip will be $5.00 per person plus dinner on your own.
Bus will leave the City Complex at 9:00 a.m.
Please sign up by October 26

Registration for all events takes place at the Parks and Recreation department at the Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road. For more information on individual events, contact the Parks and Recreation department at 972-317-7430.

Hogwarts Festival at Kids Kastle

 

Hogwarts Kastle will be held on October 24 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Refreshments will be sold on site by the Highland Village Parks Foundation at the event.  Admission to the event is $3.00 per child and $1.00 per adult which includes a tour through Hogwarts’ Hogsmeade.  Proceeds will benefit the city trail system.

Fall Festival at Kids Kastle

We’re bringing it back! Bring the whole family to Kids Kastle at Unity Park, October 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a haunting good time. It will be a night full of excitement for all ages plus free candy, hotdogs and more. Our goal is to provide a fun and safe alternative for Halloween. Don’t forget to wear your costumes! For more information please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-317-7430.