Norton reviews parks improvements, staffing changes and facility needs; street-department superintendent to retire

Council members and staff discussed May 21 several park and public-space items — concrete repairs, restroom and pavilion costs, required AEDs, field lighting questions, and a personnel change in the street department.

Dennis, who gave the parks overview during new business, told the council Columbia Woods Drive concrete will be replaced in June with at least one lane of traffic maintained and that the work is being scheduled to finish before upcoming events, including a concert series and the July 4 dedication. "Concrete on Columbia Woods Drive will be replaced in the month of June. There'll always be 1 lane of traffic coming in," Dennis said.

Dennis said the city will install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Columbia Woods, Frasier Park and Bridal Oak this year in response to a recent change in state law regarding AED placement in parks that are in active use; the speaker did not cite a specific statute. "Because of the Veterans Memorial, and safety is done at Columbia Woods, so this year, your old will ground put AEDs in Columbia Woods, Fraser, and Bridal Oak. And, presently, we don't have any," Dennis said.

Officials reported other planned work and budget considerations: tennis courts will be redone to school competition specifications with costs split roughly 50-50 with the school district; the Columbia Woods parking lot will be restriped; wooden security bollards will be installed along the football field edge to offer a vehicle barrier; and concrete and playground repairs have been prioritized. Dennis said a three-stall flush restroom was estimated in the master plan at about $500,000, and a pavilion currently is estimated at $70,000–$80,000, figures council members discussed when evaluating long-term capital priorities.

In staffing news, Dennis announced that Mr. Hess in the street department has decided to retire, with a last day of Friday, Aug. 8, and that the city is seeking a replacement. Dennis said summer help had already been hired (seven workers) and that vacations and storm responses affect scheduling.

Council members and attendees raised a series of operational requests and community concerns: a resident asked about adding handicap parking and portable restrooms at Helmick Park and Frasier Park; a volunteer coordinating flowers requested crews avoid mowing debris onto flower beds and to ensure water is turned on at planted sites; a resident suggested Boy Scouts could help with cemetery cleanup projects; and another resident asked about lighting on ball fields, which Dennis said would require zoning review and was likely expensive.

The council took one formal action during the meeting: approval of the Feb. 20 minutes. A motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded; during the roll call the council recorded "Yes" votes from Miss Gibson, Miss Witzberger and Mister Whitworth and the minutes were approved.

No formal votes were recorded on park capital expenditures or staffing at the May 21 meeting; those matters remain in planning or budget review stages.