City Connections - February Edition

The Coldest Time of the Year Is Here

The Utility Division provides 24 (twenty four) hour emergency service.  If you do not have your own water cut off valve, keep your meter box uncovered and maintained for City crew’s easy access.  We ask that you call and report any unusual circumstances that may need our attention.  Please do not hesitate to call us.  The Utility Operations office number is 972-317-2989.  After hours, please call the emergency telephone number 972-317-6551.  If you have a billing question, please contact Utility billing at 972-899-5090.

Here are a few tips to assist you during the winter to help prevent frozen water pipes.

1. Be sure to disconnect all outside water hoses from the pipe it is connected to.  This will prevent an overnight freeze from bursting either the faucet or the pipe.
2. Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas with pipe wrapping materials that are available from any hardware store.
3. Any plumbing inside your home that faces an outside wall should be considered during the winter months.  To prevent these pipes from freezing, open the cabinets to expose the pipes to the warm air inside your home.

Disposing of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products - What Do I Do?

In order to help keep the environment safe it is recommended that the best and most cost-effective way to ensure safe water at the tap is to keep our source waters clean.  As a society, we should encourage policies that protect source water from contaminants introduced by human activity.  You can help by refraining from flushing unused medications down the toilet or sink.  Instead, find out if your pharmacy accepts medications for disposal, or contact the local health department for information about proper disposal of medications, cleaning products, pesticides, and automotive products.  

Sanitary Sewer Overflows

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) has become a major issue with the Federal & State Agencies in recent years.  A recent study shows that 43% of all SSO’s are caused by pipe blockages.  Of those pipe blockages, a large portion of them are attributed to Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) in the collections systems.  Naturally, Cities target the Food Service Establishments by inspecting required grease traps on a monthly cycle.  But we must all be reminded to not pour grease down the sink from our holiday meals.

Pre-Emergent Organic Herbicides

Late winter and spring will bring a new growing season requiring lawn maintenance and proper application of fertilizers and herbicides.  Improper application of lawn care chemicals can result in the pollution of stormwater, which flows untreated through storm drains into the nearest water body.  High levels of herbicides in a water body can kill the aquatic plants and animals, and make the water unsafe for humans.  Reduce stormwater pollution by using organic alternatives.  For example, pre-emergent organic herbicides prevent seeds from establishing roots; seeds cannot grow without roots.  By using pre-emergent organic herbicides, you prevent weeds from growing and prevent toxic chemicals found in traditional herbicides from entering storm drains.  The time to apply pre-emergent organic herbicides is in February and March.

Late winter and spring will bring a new growing season requiring lawn maintenance and proper application of fertilizers and herbicides.  Improper application of lawn care chemicals can result in the pollution of stormwater, which flows untreated through storm drains into the nearest water body.  High levels of herbicides in a water body can kill the aquatic plants and animals, and make the water unsafe for humans.  Reduce stormwater pollution by using organic alternatives.  For example, pre-emergent organic herbicides prevent seeds from establishing roots; seeds cannot grow without roots.  By using pre-emergent organic herbicides, you prevent weeds from growing and prevent toxic chemicals found in traditional herbicides from entering storm drains.  The time to apply pre-emergent organic herbicides is in February and March.Help prevent stormwater pollution by:

• Following the manufacture’s directions when using any lawn care products.
• Avoid applying lawn care products on windy days.
• Avoid applying lawn care products 24 hours before a heavy rain.
• Purchasing organic herbicides, and other organic products from your local nursery and hardware stores.

March Primary – March 2, 2010

The Primary Election for the State of Texas will be held on March 02, 2010.  Early voting for the primary will begin February 16 and conclude on February 26, 2010. 

The City of Highland Village is an early voting polling location.  The polls will be open during the following hours:February 16-19, 2010………………..8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
February 20, 2010……………………7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
February 21, 2010……………………1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
February 22-26, 2010………………...7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Please visit http://elections.dentoncounty.com for additional early voting polling locations. 

Citizens who vote on Election Day are required to vote at their designated polling location.  Please refer to Denton County’s website for Election Day polling locations.  If you have questions related to the Primary Election, please contact the elections division at (940)349-3200.

The 2010 Census - April 1, 2010
Counting Everyone Once — and Only Once — and In the

Right Place

 

The foundation of our American democracy is dependent on fair and equitable representation in Congress. In order to achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living within the nation’s borders, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every ten years.

The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade. 2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $4 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next ten years.

In order for this funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, the goal of the decennial census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. The facts gathered in the census also help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more.

Reaching an Increasingly Diverse Population
The goal of the 2010 Census is to count all residents living in the United States on April 1, 2010. The U.S. Census Bureau does not ask about the legal status of respondents in any of its surveys and census programs. To help ensure the nation’s increasingly diverse population can answer the questionnaire accurately and completely, about 13 million bilingual Spanish/English forms will be mailed to housing units in neighborhoods identified as requiring high levels of Spanish assistance. Additionally, questionnaires in Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Vietnamese and Russian as well as language guides in 59 languages will be available on request.

10 Questions, 10 Minutes to Complete
With one of the shortest questionnaires in history, the 2010 Census asks for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. It takes only about 10 minutes for the average household to complete. Questions about how we live as a nation, our diversity, education, housing, jobs and more are now covered in the American Community Survey, which is conducted every year throughout the decade and replaces the Census 2000 long-form questionnaire. Responses to the 2010 Census questionnaire are required by law. All responses are used for statistical purposes only, and all are strictly confidential. For more information, visit the 2010 Census Web site at http://www.census.gov/2010.

Going on Vacation?  You Fill Out the Form, We'll Pick It Up!

Residents of Highland Village have access to the free Vacation Watch service offered by the Highland Village Police Department.  When you are away you can request your home be placed on "Vacation Watch." 

When listed, patrol officers will periodically stop and check your home.  Officers may walk around and check your property for any signs of forced entry, damage or suspicious activity. 

To request a Vacation Watch:

• Call Police Dispatch at 972-317-6551 and request a Patrol Officer stop by and pick up your completed Vacation Watch form.  The officer while there can give you some helpful tips on securing your property and do a brief security survey.  You can download the VW form on our website.
• Call Police Dispatch at 972-317-6551 and the dispatcher will complete the VW request for you.
• Fax your completed VW form to Police Dispatch at 972-899-5088, or drop it off at the PD anytime. 

HVPD Partners with CrimeReports to Launch Free iPhone App

 

Residents can now take neighborhood crime maps with them wherever they go.  HVPD announces the availability of a free new iPhone app, in partnership with CrimeReports that will provide citizens with Highland Village crime mapping and sex offender data. Highland Village PD already publishes crime data and maps at www.CrimeReports.com and are now making the data even easier to access through the CrimeReports iPhone app.   The CrimeReports team is also planning similar apps for other mobile platforms.  You can find out more about the new CrimeReports iPhone app by visiting www.CrimeReports.com/iphone.

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, February 4, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 4, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

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.

Election Day – May 08, 2010

The City Secretary’s Office is responsible for conducting municipal elections as prescribed by the Election Code of the State of Texas. The city’s website has pertinent information, which includes, but is not limited to: dates and times for early voting, last day to register with Denton County to vote in the municipal election and deadlines for candidates wishing to run for Council Places 1 (mayor), 2, 4 or 6.

If you are interested in running for Council, you may call the City Secretary’s Office at 972.899.5132 or click on the link “2010 Municipal Election” on the city’s website to obtain an electronic copy of the City Council candidate packet. The candidate packet includes the necessary forms (application to place name on ballot, petition for a place on the city general election ballot, etc.) utilized by candidates during their election campaign.

The City Secretary’s Office will accept applications beginning Monday, February 08, 2010 through Monday, March 08, 2010.  Applications will be received during the business week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The City will conduct a joint election with the Lewisville Independent School District. As a result, the ballot will include City Council candidates (Places 1, 2, 4 and 6) and school district Board of Trustee candidates (Places 3, 4 and 5). If you would like additional information regarding the school district election, please call 469.713.5200. 

Highland Village Senior All-Stars

Choctaw Casino
Wednesday, February 17 and March 17
Register by the Monday before the trip.
Cost is $5, includes $10 Casino play money and a $5 food coupon.
The bus leaves from the City of Highland Village Municipal Complex at 9:00 a.m. and leaves Choctaw at 4:00 p.m.

The Club at University of North Texas Lunch
Wednesday, February 24
Lunch will cost $7.00 (plus tip), this amount is to be paid in cash at The Club. The cost to ride the bus it will cost $5.00. The bus will leave at 11:00 a.m. from the Municipal Complex. Please sign up by Friday, February 19

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

Father and Daughter Valentine's Dance at Celebrations

 

Father Daughter Dance: February 12, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale January 11, 2010 for residents ($21) and January 19, 2010 for nonresidents ($24). (Cash or check only.)

Come enjoy dinner and a rose, dancing and door prizes. Space is limited.  Dress Semi-Formal.

You may register in person at the Parks Department in City Hall, corner of Brazos Blvd. and Highland Village Rd. Feel free to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at  972-317-7430 with any questions.