The big, big news is that Burt is coming back. Burt as many of us recall is the man who for many years provided our little city with garbage, trash, and general neighborhood pick-up. Burt also has his own security company, and his workers are trained in basic security techniques. For a long time Burt was the Ridgeside "Police Chief." At one time, he drove a city car with "Ridgeside Police" emblazoned on its doors.
Ridgeside Mayor Brant Mason said that Burt will begin providing services once again to the city on May 1. For our citizens the big change in addition to Burt and his workers being back is a change in garbage and trash pick-up days. Mayor Mason and Burt decided that the best, most consistent schedule for pick-ups will be Tuesdays and Fridays rather than Mondays and Thursdays. Mayor Mason says the change from Monday to Tuesday means that we'll have garbage service even in weeks that contain a Federal Monday holiday.
Fridays will be recycle day. Burt's workers will pick-up recycle material set out in blue bags. The blue bags will be taken to Orange Grove for sorting and recycling. You need not sort the recyclables, the workers at Orange Grove will to the sorting. But, we must be careful to keep garbage and recyclable materials separate--garbage in regular garbage bags, recyclables in blue bags.
Burt will also pick-up limbs and cuttings from curbside on Fridays, and his men, security trained, will keep an eye open for suspicious activity in the neighborhood.
The new service begins on Thursday, May 1. That means our first Burt administered pickup will be on Friday, May 2, and that will also be a blue-bag recycle day.
Other news of note includes a report from the Parks and Pool committee detailing work that will begin soon on the pool. A new security fence will be installed. The fenced area will be expanded and made more secure. A gate will be placed across the pool road near the current location of the garbage containers, and security will be tightened. The tennis courts are to be refurbished with new nets and posts, and the basketball backboards will be replaced.
Another "big news" item from the meeting is the lowering of swimming pool fees for Ridgeside residents. This summer the fee for pool membership will be $25 per Ridgeside household. The fee for non-Ridgeside residents will remain at $225.
In the not too distant future four new speed bumps will be installed on Brookwood, Windmere, and Ridgeside.
The security committee report included an update on the push to improve lighting and a review of the plan to close one or more access streets including††place a fence and gate at the bottom of Ridgeside Road to limit foot traffic into and out of the neighborhood. Later, some type of control will be developed at the alley between Crescent Park and Ridgeside.
Mayor Mason also asked his fellow commissioners to approve a budget revision in excess of $89,000 to defray the costs associated with drain repairs, the fencing project, speed humps, and other improvements. The commission voted, with no discussion, to approve the budget revision.
A great deal more was discussed, and the full recording of the meeting is available on this page for your review and entertainment.