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 standing water from idle containers, such as:
• Flower pots
• Buckets
• Cups, dog bowls
• French Drain Systems
• 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 30th

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.

Open House - New Municipal Service Center and
The Robert & Lee DuVall Center

We’re moving and we’d love you to see our new home! In November 2007 voters approved funding for the construction of a new Municipal Service Center and modifications to the existing Fire Department to become a meeting facility. City staff is moving in to the new facilities and we’re ready to show it off to you! Wonder what a pickleball court looks like? Want to sit on a backhoe? What exactly is a flush truck? Come find out and see our new digs!

You’re invited to attend the Open House on Tuesday, September 21 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!

When: Tuesday, September 21
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Municipal Service Center
The Robert & Lee DuVall Center
948 Highland Village Road
Parking: Please park at City Hall, shuttle services will be provided

Save a Life! Learn CPR!

Upcoming CPR Classes are held from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:

Wednesday, September 8
Wednesday, October 6
Wednesday, November 10
Wednesday, December 8

CPR Costs: $25 for residents, $45 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.

Flu Shot Clinic

Saturday, October 9 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, October 11 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 1 Community Center Drive
Ages: 9 & up
Participants with Traditional Medicare Part B must present their Medicare cards.
All other flu shots will be $25.00
Sponsored by the Highland Village Senior All Stars

DCTA Commuter Vanpool Program – It’s Vantastic!

Vanpools are DCTA’s vantastic new way of giving you a comfortable, cost-effective and convenient way to get to work. Ideal for groups of six to 15 people, vanpools reduce stress, help the environment and save you money.

Employees: Come Together, Ride Now.

Does traffic make your head spin? Vanpools are DCTA’s vantastic new way of giving you a comfortable, cost-effective and convenient way to get to work. Ideal for groups of six to 15 people, vanpools reduce stress, help the environment and save you money.

If you live or work in Denton County, you can start a vanpool through your employer or create one of your own for as little as $64.29 per person per month for an eight-passenger van and $33.79 per person per month for a 15-passenger van. Wheelchair accessible vans are also available for an additional fee. You’ll still save a lot of cash, especially with DCTA covering half the fuel expenditures. On average, vanpool participants cut their commute costs by many hundreds of dollars per year.

DCTA offers vanpool drivers a month-to-month lease on passenger vans that includes maintenance, roadside assistance, and insurance costs. If you are part of our vanpool program, you can also take advantage of our Guaranteed Ride Home program, ensuring that you will always be able to get home when you need to. Vanpooling makes your commute easier, puts money back in your pocket – and takes care of you.

Employers: Power to the People – and the Bosses.

Employees are not the only ones to benefit from this program. First off, the federal government offers some tax benefits that could save employers money. If you help subsidize the vanpool cost for your employees, you could be eligible for a tax deduction on the amount provided. Plus, if you already help pay for parking costs, needing fewer spots will help reduce your bottom line. Not to mention the benefits you will get by having happier employees!

To get a vanpool started for yourself or your employees, call 972.221.4600.

Highland Village Veterans Memorial

The city is currently constructing a Veterans Memorial to provide an opportunity for family members of veterans to memorialize their veteran. The Memorial is adjacent to the existing Veterans Monument on the Brazos Boulevard side of the Municipal Complex along the trail. Individual bronze star plaques can be ordered with the submittal of an application. Stay tuned for future information related to this new opportunity.

Salute Our Veterans Lunch - Mark Your Calendar!

The Highland Village Business Association dedicates their November luncheon to honor our area veterans. The 8th Annual Salute Our Veterans Luncheon is scheduled for November 9 this year and will be held at Celebrations Grand Ballroom. If you’re a veteran, we would like to honor you at this luncheon. As in past years, the HVBA takes donations from residents and local businesses to provide lunch for every veteran in attendance. Stay tuned for more information regarding this celebration of our Veterans!

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.

Will Your Pet Get Home Safely?

We all want to ensure that lost animals have the best possible chance of returning home...these days, one of the best ways to do that is by implanting a grain-sized microchip that will provide a record of identification for life.

Microchips are a quick and reliable way of making sure lost pets have the best possible chance of returning home. Animals often lose or get away without a collar or tag, so a microchip offering permanent identification can be a lifesaver.

Animal Registration Information

All animals within the city limits must be registered.

Pet Registration By Mail

• Complete the Registration Form. (located on the city web site)
• Include the registration fee (per pet) and this payment must be in check or money order form.
• Include a copy of your current rabies vaccination.
• Include your return address and your tags will be mailed to your residence.