Glendale board funds flagpole, authorizes cemetery fence bids; discusses water-line upgrades and parks grant

Glendale — The Glendale Town Board voted unanimously Thursday to allocate $1,500 to purchase and install a 20-foot flagpole and to seek bids to repair and extend fencing at the town cemetery after board members described repeated incidents of off‑leash dogs on gravesites.

The board, which convened in a regular meeting on Jan. 16, also approved routine minutes and town bills, heard updates about a planned water-line upgrade that could require substantial outside funding, and discussed applying for a parks grant to replace play-surface materials and consider a canopy over the town court and play area.

The board’s approval of flagpole funding came after a brief discussion of options and cost estimates. Clint Porter, a board member, said a 20-foot pole would cost about $1,300 from a supplier in Salt Lake and proposed a $1,500 allocation to cover the pole and installation. Porter moved the allocation; Wells Brinkeroff seconded. Mayor Dan Spencer, Porter and Brinkeroff voted yes and the motion passed unanimously.

Porter described the cemetery as an appropriate visible site for the flag and said he would also check with the American Legion about possible assistance for installation costs.

The board also directed staff to solicit bids to replace or repair fencing around the cemetery. The action followed reports that a camera left in the cemetery captured images of dogs off leash, and board members noted an existing sign that says “no dogs.” Porter said three chain‑link gates are already available and that the board would bid the front and back sections and the entire fence, then decide which work to do. The fence motion was made and approved unanimously.

The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and to accept current bills. During the financial report the board recorded account balances the clerk read into the record: a general fund balance of $50,102.90, water‑fund account entries discussed by the clerk (amounts read during the meeting), and a road fund balance the clerk said was $81,096.76.

On water infrastructure, board members described a multi‑part project to upgrade a high‑elevation line. Porter said the board can choose pipe with differing pressure ratings and that the price the board reviewed was for a thicker pipe identified as DR13; he said the town has historically used DR11 but that DR13 was recommended because of pressure concerns. Porter said the Western Kane County Water Conservancy District has equipment to fuse the pipe and that the town may need to hire additional help for a day to fuse and lay pipe. He said the town will need valves, saddles for meters and meters themselves, though meters could be installed later.

Porter described potential funding paths but warned the board that applying for state grants could carry requirements that raise the project scope and cost — for example, an engineering recommendation for a storage tank and pump site to correct low pressure in the Berryville area. He cited estimates from discussion that putting the project together with required facilities could raise the cost into the low millions and said the town might instead pursue a well or a loan if grant conditions are not met. Board members asked staff to contact an out‑of‑town engineer, Brad, who is due to visit in February, to collect data the town needs for funding applications.

Board members also discussed recent work to remove brush behind the cemetery and at the park. Porter asked for documentation — photographs, hours and cost estimates — to support reimbursement requests under a forestry/maintenance program the town had pursued. During the discussion the board recorded the contractors’ rough estimates mentioned at the meeting: about 60 hours of dump‑truck rental at $95 per hour and about 20 hours of backhoe time at about $130 per hour; the board requested that staff assemble a brief expense and photo report for grant paperwork.

Parks and recreation discussion centered on an application the town plans to submit for replacement of aging playground surfacing and equipment. A board member said a full canopy over the play area had been quoted at about $30,000; the board agreed to pursue a higher initial grant request and invited a board volunteer (Gabby was named as a helper) to prepare a brief presentation for the grant application.

On public safety, the board noted the fire department needs recruits and discussed radios and pager equipment. Porter asked staff to check with a local firefighter, Glenn Stacy, about spare pagers or radios; the board noted the department had recently obtained new Harris radios.

Planning and zoning business included an item to recruit an appeals authority after vacancies created openings on the planning commission and appeals roles; the board agreed the town board would act as interim appeals authority until a candidate is found and asked staff to post the position.

No formal action was taken on the water project or the parks grant at this meeting beyond discussion and direction to staff to gather information and pursue bids or applications. The meeting adjourned after routine closing motions.

What’s next: Staff was directed to (1) gather documentation and cost estimates for brush removal and maintenance work, (2) put out a request for bids for cemetery fencing (front, back or the entire job), (3) check Legion assistance for the flagpole installation, (4) contact the visiting engineer for water‑system data, and (5) prepare the parks grant application materials with volunteer help.