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| The City of Norwalk is looking for two volunteers from our community to serve in an advisory capacity to the mayor and city council. We have one vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission who meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. We also have a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment who meets on an as needed basis. Vacancies are created when a member moves permanently from the city, or the term ends. The City of Norwalk makes every effort to organize a diversified group of citizens representing gender balance, a variety of ages and interests. If you are interested in volunteering to serve in either of these two capacities, please submit, in writing, your desire to Mike Johnson, 705 North Avenue, Norwalk, IA 50211 or mikejohnson@ci.norwalk.ia.us |
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The City of Norwalk decided not to curbside collect tree branches from the January ice storm and Metro Waste Authority has decided not to set up temporary drop sites. Residents of Norwalk have the following options: they can haul the storm debris to the Metro Park East Landfill or utilize the curbside Compost it! pick up, which begins March 31, 2010. to view the Metro Waste Authority press release click here |
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(in effect as soon as snow emergency is declared until snow emergency is lifted)
69.10 SNOW REMOVAL. (parking)
No person shall park, abandon or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley or City owned off-street parking area during any snow emergency. When predictions or occurrences indicate the need, the Public Works Director or his/her designee shall initiate a snow emergency and inform the news media to publicize the snow emergency. The snow emergency shall remain in effect until the Public Works Director or his/her designee declares it over
135.12 DUMPING OF SNOW. (street)
It is unlawful for any person to throw, push, or place or cause to be thrown, pushed, or placed, any ice or snow from private property, sidewalks, or driveways onto the traveled way of a street so as to obstruct gutters, or impede the passage of vehicles upon the street or to create a hazardous condition therein; except where, in the cleaning of large commercial drives in the business district it is absolutely necessary to move the snow onto the street temporarily, such accumulation shall be removed promptly by the property owner or agent. Arrangements for the prompt removal of such accumulations shall be made prior to moving the snow.
136.03 REMOVAL OF SNOW, ICE AND ACCUMULATIONS. (sidewalk)
It is the responsibility of the abutting property owners to remove snow, ice and accumulations promptly from sidewalks. If a property owner does not remove snow, ice or accumulations within seventy-two (72) hours, the City may do so and assess the costs against the property owner for collection in the same manner as a property tax. |
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| The Norwalk Utility Advisory Commission is comprised of five members, and was created to advise and make recommendations to the Council with reference to the planning of the water and sanitary sewer collections, wastewater treatment plant operations, storm water systems, solid waste collections and franchises for cable television, electrical, gas and other franchised services in the community. Members serve a three year term with quarterly meetings usually held on the second Monday of the month (January, April, July & October). We are looking for someone from the Lakewood, Legacy or Cumming area in order to get a geographically diverse membership. If you are interested in serving on the Utility Advisory Commission please send a letter of interest to City Hall. |
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.jpg) Please keep grass clippings out of the street and out of the stormwater drains
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Iowa Workforce Development will receive a $17 million National Emergency Grant From the U.S. Department of Labor, $6 million of which will be available immediately. The grant will be used to pay wages to Iowans who lost their jobs because of the natural disasters and are participating in clean-up efforts. Up to $12,000 will be given per person. The grants target 27 counties that have been declared eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program, which includes Dallas County buy not Polk. In 1993, Iowans received more than $25 million in federal funding to pay wages in the aftermath of flooding that year.
A group of Iowa-based businesses are raising money for Iowans trying to recover from recent flooding or tornado disasters. Led by the Iowa Speedway Foundation. Race2Recovery is striving to raise $1 million before Sept. 20 and will begin its efforts during the Iowa Corn Indy 250 this weekend at the Iowa Speedway. Businesses involved include Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc., Learfield Communications, Inc., WHO Radio and Vantus Bank. By this weekend, those wanting to donate can visit www.race2recovery.com
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City of Norwalk staff would like to take this opportunity to thank our residents for their patience during our recent heavy rains and to recognize their concerns, assistance to neighbors and city employees during the flooding events and clean up operations.
While other communities were certainly harder hit, if you are a resident with a flooded basement you may not feel that way. As of Friday, 6-13-08 City Clerk, Jeff Rosien, has received roughly 30 reports. Residents that have such problems are requested to contact Mr. Rosien to report the event and allow the City’s Insurance carrier to determine eligibility for the reimbursement of any associated expense. The information may also be helpful in our reports of damage through our Warren County Emergency Manager for any possible consideration by state or federal funding sources.
The Public Works Director has requested that white goods and other items damaged by the storm be placed on the curb. It will not be necessary to purchase a sticker and those items are scheduled for pick up Monday 6/16/08. Debris will be removed on Saturday 6/14/08.
The City administration is undertaking engineering/hydrology studies for those areas of Norwalk most affected by the weekend storms to determine mitigation options, best management practices, response activities and the impacts to our storm water ecology and sanitary sewer systems.
The Public Works Department has purchased three pumps, rigged equipment in setting up strategies for getting equipment and manpower out to provide as much relief as possible, and to respond to flooding events as rapidly as possible. City staff is in constant contact with our Warren and Polk County Emergency Managers to monitor the situation around us and identify and update potential threats.
Public Works was proactive as teams were assigned to specific threat areas in advance to insure that drains were cleared and barricades were available to properly mark flooded areas. During the event they attempted to clear blockages, place barricades and pump water from threatened areas. The Police Department used their cruiser sirens to warn the residents along Gordon where the storm siren was being repaired, identified and reported electrical problems and threatened areas, rerouted traffic and removed 12 stalled partially submerged vehicles from City streets. The Fire Department assisted the Police with traffic control, Public Works with the pumping of water and notified residents in the Colchester flood plain of a possible need for evacuation. There were no injuries reported to them that were due to the storms.
The Des Moines Water Works plant is our source for drinking water and at no time have the flood waters posed an imminent threat of contamination. Current notifications from the Water Works indicate that the Raccoon River has crested and operations continue normally. Should a system failure occur the City would rely upon its one million gallon water tower.
The combined series of storms and tornado warnings resulted in activities for most City Departments. The Mayor and many of the Emergency Operations Center staff were present from Thursday night on as needed based on the threats helping to coordinate and support the actions of City Departments. The City stayed in constant contact with Warren and Polk County emergency managers, additionally with Des Moines Water Works, state agencies including Iowa DOT, the State EOC, and now FEMA.
Finally to provide one additional reassurance the City staff asks that anyone with questions or concerns regarding damage from the series of storms over the last week contact Mr. Rosien.
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The City of Norwalk has completed installation of six Automatic External Defibrillators (AED’s) to better serve the health and safety of our public and our employees.
Thanks to a $2,000 grant received from the Warren County Philanthropic Partnership, and local partners: Norwalk Easter Public Library Foundation, Norwalk Firefighters Association, American Legion Post 562 (Cumming), Norwalk Soccer Club and Twin Rivers Baseball. The six units are now accessible and training is complete.
The AED’s are located at the Norwalk Aquatic Center, McAninch Sports Complex, Norwalk Easter Public Library, City Hall, Cherry Street Public Works Facility and Norwalk Waste Water Treatment Plant. These units are a backup to our Fire/EMS staff and were purchased to integrate with the equipment that is used on our ambulances.
We are pleased to have been a recipient of the WCPP grant and appreciate that our local partners realize the value of the devices continuing to make Norwalk, The Community that Cares.
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Thank you to our residents who have responded so well on the first community survey sent out by the City in January. Our response is over 250 returned surveys from a random 500 sent out in the Norwalk community.
Over a 50% return rate is superb, and that type of response will provide much more accurate information to the group headed by Mark Freyberg at Simpson College.
Of special interest are two categories, one questions related to a possible enhancement of the Norwalk Aquatic Center, and several questions on the types of businesses that Norwalk residents would like to see. The analysis will help direct the City Council into making decisions on a bond issue as well as economic development.
The other issues related to City services, information distribution, and views of how the City and its departments respond to our needs are critical as well, and will help out in everything from infrastructure development, staffing, and quality of service.
Hats off to Gary Simmons, Public Works Director, Chris Nosbisch, Community Development/Planning, and to other staff members who turned an initial department survey into a true City wide effort that will be assessed independently and provide the best information the City can get.. This team collaboration will lead to better planning, prioritizing, and the funding of future programs that the City will be addressing in the next few years.
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Starting in December, Norwalk residents who use the City’s solid waste services, will be able to sign up for Metro Waste Authority’s (MWA) Premium Yard Waste Collection Program. This program will allow residents who wish to participate the opportunity to use a 96 gallon wheeled container for weekly collection of their yard waste. The carts will have a Blackstone granite finish which is a unique color for the MWA service area. This program is an alternative yard waste collection method and does not replace the current Compost It! program that utilizes the MWA Compost It! bags and stickers.
To Enroll Residents will first need to contact Norwalk City Hall at 981-0228 to place an order for a yard waste cart. Residents should place their orders as soon as possible (there is a limit to the amount of toters available) to be guaranteed a cart for the start of yard waste season in March 2008. Orders will be accepted after these dates but delivery cannot be guaranteed prior to the March 31 start-up date. The cost of the carts will be $80 if delivered to the residence or $60 if the resident elects to pick their cart up at the Public Works facility. The carts must be paid for in advance of their delivery and/or pickup. The Public Works facility will be open from 8:00AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2008 for cart pick-up. If the resident cannot pick up their cart that day, they will need to call 981-0228 to arrange an alternate collection during Public Works’ normal working hours. When placing cart orders, residents will need to specify pick-up or delivery.
What You Need To Know To Order a Sticker As part of MWA’s Premium Yard Waste Collection Program, each cart will be required to have a special MWA Premium Yard Waste Collection sticker affixed to it. This sticker is purchased annually and covers the collection costs associated with the program. Stickers are available at City Hall. Residents should purchase their stickers prior to March 31, 2008, the beginning of the 2008 yard waste season. Keep in mind that a new sticker is required each year to initiate collection. The stickers can be obtained by visiting the Norwalk Administrative Services office at City Hall or downloading a form City website and mailing in a check. Call 981-0228 for more information about ordering your sticker.
Highlights of the Premium Yard Waste Collection Program Carts must be ordered through the Norwalk City Hall office. Stickers must be obtained annually and placed on the designated area on the cart. The program is an alternative to the current MWA Compost It! program. Residents are not required to use the premium cart program. The cart is the property of the resident. The cart may only be used for yard waste disposal. Yard waste carts will be collected on the resident’s regular solid waste collection day.
Yard waste cart collection dates will coincide with MWA’s Compost It! annual calendar. Residents may have more than one premium yard waste cart. Additional compost material can still be put into the yard waste bags for those that might need extra capacity from time to time.
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February 15, 2008
We want to remind our residents that the March 1st, City deadline for licensing dogs without paying a $10.00 penalty is fast approaching and we appear to be only half completed. This is a good time to look at why our community requires that all dogs residing in the City that are more than 6 months old are required to be vaccinated for rabies and licensed through the City. The cost is $10.00 or $5.00 if it is spayed or neutered. We all want to avoid the spread of a contagious disease and the threat posed to other pats and humans by such a disease.
In 2003 we licensed 545 dogs, 2004 we issued 593 licenses, 2005 there were 554 licenses issued, 2006 we had 550 dogs licensed, 2007 we issued 516 and today we have issued 229 so far. The most popular breed appears to be the Labrador retriever and the most popular name for a dog is Max. About 59% are female, 93% are spayed or neutered and about 62% have been vaccinated at the Norwalk Veterinary Clinic.
Last year we impounded about 40 dogs where the owner could not be identified. The animals are then transported to the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines and after 10 days are adopted or slept. When the owner is determined they may pay a $75.00 fee to the Animal Rescue League, $35.00 impound fee to the City, a $50.00 fine plus court costs and still buy the $10.00 license they should have had in the first place. That license is discounted to $5.00 if the animal is spayed or neutered. Impounding these animals cost the taxpayers about $3,000.00 in additional fees last year.
Since January 2007 we have had 174 complaints of dogs at large, 58 barking dogs and 10 dog bites. There were 6 dogs that were declared viscous and were either removed from the City or more securely controlled. This was enacted toward the end of 2007 and it will be interesting to see if it effects the number of animal bites that occur next year.
In 2006 we had 64 barking dogs, 187 at large dogs and 5 bites. In 2005 there were 56 barking dogs, 154 dogs at large and 8 bites. During 2004 we had 53 barking dogs, 175 running at large and 6 bites.
One thing I did find out by looking at the files, there is only one old dog named Biscuit and he still lives at my house and yes he is licensed, but he is also spoiled. Thank you for helping us to make our community an even better place to live by licensing your dog and making certain it is restrained.
Ed Kuhl, Chief of Police
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We would like to introduce your two new police officers they are Trevor Martin, of Des Moines and Phillip Parker of Indianola. Officer Martin is an Iowa Certified Peace Officer and is currently employed by the Polk County Sheriff. He has 6 years of experience and we look forward to his joining our team. Officer Parker has no law enforcement experience and is currently employed at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa. Two positions remain vacant and we are testing applicants for those as you read this article.
We can normally orient an experienced officer in about 4 months and a new recruit takes about 12 months. When all of these positions are filled you will have eight patrolmen and two patrol supervisors. That will give us the capability of having two officers patrolling a majority of the time. In 2007 we responded to over 3,200 calls for service, wrote 1,195 tickets, conducted 500 investigation, cleared 53%, patrolled 74,000 miles and taught DARE to 190 children. We had four vacancies and four more officers were not available due to injuries. It has been a busy year.
Since I became your Chief in 1999 our population has increased 30%, our calls have increased 59% (about 70% per officer), we clear 47% more cases, wrote 64% more tickets, patrolled 20,000 more miles and conducted 10% more investigations. We also began our first Neighborhood Watch Group in Windflower. We appreciate your support and partnership in keeping Norwalk a great place to come home to.
Ed Kuhl, Chief of Police
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You take a shower, wash your clothes or flush the stool and send the wastewater down the drain. Unless you have a backup into your home, caused by roots, rags, grease or other items which should not be in the lines, you never give a thought as to what happens to this wastewater. The wastewater flows down the service line from your house to the main line in the collection system and down to the wastewater treatment plant.
Our plant is set up to divert excess flow to Stormwater Basins when the flow exceeds set flow levels and returned when the flow drops below a level which we set. This helps keep the clarifiers from pumping down when returning Activated Sludge for further treatment. This pumping down occurs when return of Activated Sludge exceeds what is coming into the plant. By returning flow from the stormwater basins a more constant flow through the plant is maintained. Peak usage normally occurs when people are cleaning up for work in the morning, at noontime and in the evening when people return home from work. From May 2006 through April 2007 we treated 231,799,000 gallons of wastewater for a daily average of 635,065 gallons per day.
Air for Grit Lift Pump, aeration basins, Digester air and the Return Activated Sludge Pump is supplied by 2- 50 Horsepower blowers. The plant is supplied with 2 more blowers for backup.
Grit from the collection system goes to a Grit Chamber where it is pumped by an air lift pump to the Grit Classifier which augurs the grit to a dumpster to go to the landfill and the water is returned to the plant for treatment.
Rags and other non-treatable debris are removed by a rotation screen and are also dumped into the dumpster. This dumpster is limed daily to help keep odors down.
To maintain a constant level of bacteria which help treat the influent, part of the Return Activated Sludge is wasted to the digester where it thickens by digesting, or eating other bacteria. This thickened sludge is then pumped to the reed beds where the water is filtered thru a sand bed then returned to the plant for further treatment. The remaining Sludge will eventually be land applied for fertilizer.
Our daily limits, for ammonia in the effluent from the plant, are from 6.1 to 15.3 Mg/L depending upon the month. The plant is doing such a good job that although designed to treat down to 1 Mg/L we are constantly running from .02 to.04 Mg/L of ammonia.
Our CBOD legal limits are 40 Mg/L 7 day average with a30 day average of 25 Mg/L. From May 2006 thru April 2007 our highest CBOD was 6.0 Mg/L with a low of .7 Mg/L. Usual readings run from 2.0 to 3.0 Mg/L. This is again below the plant design of 10 Mg/L.
We constantly run below all legal limits and are not in violation of DNR regulations.
Our plant is doing such a good job that Engineers from Iowa City came to look at our plant and designed a plant similar to ours for Fairfax, Iowa, making minor modifications as recommended by the operators of the Norwalk plant.
The results of our plant’s wastewater treatment gives us a lot to be proud of.
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ICE STORM CLEANUP: CLEARING BRUSH MOVES UP THE PRIORITY LIST
Brush removal along the City’s right-of-ways is one of those tasks that municipal public works crews are usually assigned during the spring and early summer when they have nothing more pressing to do, like plowing snow or attending to street repairs. This year, because of the Ice Storms of ’07, Norwalk will no longer be able to put city brush cleanup on the backburner.
Normally, cleanup from weather-related disasters floods, tornadoes, hurricanes starts immediately after an event occurs and continues until everything is restored. This winter’s ice storms, four in total, were different in that the initial cleanup was just the first phase of the restoration.
Residents who tried to clean up their yards and public works department employees that tried to clean up the debris along the roadways quickly found that the stuff was frozen to the ground and that they would have to wait until a warm-up or spring before any further cleanup could be done.
Spring will soon be upon us and Norwalk officials are entering phase two of the ice storm cleanup. Residentsshould have all brush related to the ice storm damage along the street curb. Small branches (1” in diameter or less) should be bundled together for easy pick up. Larger branches (no longer than 6’) should be stacked in an organized pile for pickup by City equipment.
Working together improves the quality of life for all residents of our City. Thank you for your cooperation
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TThe Norwalk Easter Public Library has received a $10,000.00 grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino through its 2007 Community Betterment Grant Program. Grants were awarded in late December with The Norwalk Easter Public Library receiving allocated funds in January 2008.
Grant funds will create a "Pathway to Reading" that will extend the Library's space and incorporate this outdoor area into the children's summer reading program as well as other library programs. This project will use local contractors and consists of a curving 5 foot wide tan concrete path that links the Library with Brownie Park, an outdoor gazebo, large boulders and butterfly benches.
The project committee consisting of community, city and library officials, are looking forward to a public groundbreaking ceremony this spring. More updates to follow...
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 The Norwalk Fire Department wants to remind everyone that if there is a fire hydrant on or near your property, please take a few moments and shovel the snow away. Clearing the snow away from a hydrant increases its visibility and can save precious time when fire fighters need to hook up to the hydrant in a hurry.
NFD Firefighter/Paramedic Doug Richardson says: "When heavy snow falls, Norwalk firefighters get out and clear snow away from hydrants when we can. The problem is we are busy responding to fire alarms, medical alarms and all the other things we do. Realistically we can't get out to shovel all of the more than 400 fire hydrants within our response district."
Richardson says: "We ask that people with hydrants on or near their property help by clearing the snow away from the hydrants."
If you have a snow-covered hydrant on your property but are unable to clear the snow away, please contact the Norwalk Fire Department by calling 981-4316.
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Norwalk City Council members and City employees have noticed an increase of real estate, yard/garage/estate sale and other signs creeping back into City of Norwalk rights of way. Private signs should remain outside of the City right of way. Please follow these guidelines:
- Signs (garage/yard/estate sales signs, political signs, real estate signs, for rent signs, items for sale or any other signs) should not be placed within Norwalk road rights of way. In the unincorporated parts of the city that means the planting area between the sidewalk and curb. In the rural areas, it would be from the pavement to the fence (anywhere the maintenance vehicles would drive. Signs placed near a rural road should be placed on private property behind any utility facilities (poles, closures, etc.) or sidewalks.
- Basketball hoops should be located on private property and not obstruct the vision of people on the road whether motorist, bicycle or pedestrian. Also, please be aware: poorly placed basketball hoops can put children in harm's way, playing too near the road.
- If you place a sign illegally, it may be removed by Norwalk City Employees. You can be reunited with your sign(s) at 805 Cherry Parkway within 30 days of removal. But, after 30 days, the sign(s) will be destroyed.
By placing the signs properly, you can avoid unnecessary expense and hassle for yourself, save taxpayers money by saving City personnel from having to handle the signs, and protect your neighbors and visitors from accidents.
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Beginning Friday, January 18, 2007, 500 randomly selected Norwalk residents will be receiving a wide-ranging survey questionnaire designed to measure citizen attitudes and opinions of the City of Norwalk. Survey respondents will be asked to grade the City’s performance in an effort to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as offer suggestions for improvement. Survey results will assist the City of Norwalk’s Mayor, Council Members, City Administrator, and Department Heads in assessing overall community relations and provide reliable feedback impacting City operations. The cornerstone of all departments in the City of Norwalk will always be our commitment to providing exceptional services to the community. The survey finding will ensure this continued devotion to service remains consistent with public expectations.
Students and faculty from Simpson College will administer the survey as well as report the findings. Research students will compile the survey data utilizing the results derived from the questionnaire. In order to maintain survey integrity, questionnaires will not be available via the internet. Norwalk residents and merchants that receive a copy of the survey questionnaire will be asked to return the survey in the postage-paid envelope provided within one week of receiving it.
If you have any questions you may contact the project coordinator Gary Simmons at 981-0228 ext 219.
 The Norwalk Easter Public Library received a $5,000 grant from Warren County Philanthropic Partnership. Grant funds helped purchase a software program for managing use of the library’s public access computers. The program enables the library to share its limited computer resources among many patrons while freeing staff from constantly monitoring use. The software does not track an individual’s Internet usage or work done on the computer. In addition, the grant helped the library purchase two additional public access computers.
Providing computer access is a very valuable and highly utilized service offered by the library and having a system to increase and monitor usage is vital. The funding will enable the library to expand and improve this service to its patrons. The Warren County Philanthropic Partnership was organized to promote and enhance community-based philanthropy in Warren County. Thirty grant applications were received and 10 organizations across Warren County shared in the funding allocations.
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2007 has been an exciting weather year in Norwalk, late season snows last winter, tornadoes in June, a dry fall and now ice in December. The jolly good life of Iowa was tested.
I want to offer some comment on a rapid response by the City after we were notified about an ongoing loss of power during and after the storm at the Good Life Retirement Center on Wright Road. The City was contacted just after 4PM that day by a relative of an apartment resident and inquired if the City could assist in getting power on to the area for the benefit of those senior citizens without power for the entire day.
The City Administrator, Community Services Director, Police Chief, officers and Park & Recreation Director assisted in making contacts with Mid American Energy, going door to door and checking on resident status and setting up temporary and overnight needs for those residents who needed to be moved from the site.
It was a successful event and one that the City staff responded to promptly and was able to be of assistance to the community. If at any time you have a need, do not hesitate to contact the City of Norwalk. Our employees are at your service.
Mark W. Miller, City Administrator
515-981-0228, x203
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The winter season is approaching again. During this time, the City of Norwalk snow plow operators work hard and with great care to make roadways, parking lots and sidewalks safe. No matter how safe our drivers are, snow and ice operations may cause inconvenience to you. At times it may cause property damage. Here are some frequently ask questions we get about snow removal.
Why do the City snow plows push snow into my driveway and who is responsible for clearing it?
Because of normal snow plowing operations, snow may be placed in your driveway unavoidably. Plows are angled to the right for plowing from the centerline of the street to the curb. For this reason, a certain amount of snow will be deposited in driveways. Snow placed in driveways or on sidewalks by the City while snow plowing is the resident’s and owner’s responsibility to remove.
Why is the snow plow operator driving so fast considering the road conditions?
It might appear at times that the snow plow operator is driving too fast for the road conditions. While operators drive safe legal speeds, at times they need to “roll” the snow to remove it from the road. A sufficient speed needs to be maintained by the driver to do this and clear the street.
Who do I contact if a snow plow hits my mailbox?
Should your mailbox get struck by the City during snow plowing, contact the Department of Public Works at 981-0228 ext. 219. The Director of Public Works will review the policy with you to determine the responsibility of replacement. The City uses a standard design wood post and a standard design metal mail box for replacement. If the property owner wants a different mailbox or post other than the standard design provided, the owner may receive up to $25 compensation for the post and up to $25 for the mailbox replacement. Sorry, but the City will not repair or replace decorative mailboxes and decorative posts. Non-standard mailboxes and enclosures placed in the public right-of-way are at the owner’s risk and responsibility.
Stay safe with these tips from the Iowa Department of Transportation:
- Do not overestimate your ability in bad driving conditions.
- Slow down. Wear seat belts. Never drink and drive.
- Put extra distance between you and the car in front of you.
- Don’t slam on the brakes. The wheels could lock causing your car to slide.
- If your car starts to slide, turn your wheels in the direction it is sliding to straighten it out.
- Drive on interstates and one-way roads whenever possible. Head-on collisions are among the greatest killers on wet roads.
- Turn on your lights to see and be seen.
- Clear snow and ice off the headlights, tail lights, mirrors, and license plates. Stop the car when necessary to keep the windows clear.
- Be aware that bridges, ramps, and overpasses may freeze first.
- Check the windshield wipers to make sure they are not frozen to the windshield. Consider replacing your original wipers with heavy-duty ones.
If you get stuck in the snow, don't panic. Start by shoveling a path in front and behind the wheels. Spreading sand or strips of carpet helps. You can also try rocking the vehicle by moving forward and backward in rapid succession until free.
The City of Norwalk Department of Public Works would like to thank you for your cooperation and understanding during the winter season. By working together, we can make the roads and sidewalks safe for all.
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The Communities Scouting organizations are organizing a school night for scouting presentation for parents and potential scouts at Oviatt Elementary as a part of the upcoming parent teacher’s conferences scheduled for the week of October 29th. The Boys and Girls Scouts will have information for display and schedule Scout talks for Boys & Girls during the month of November to let them see first hand the adventure and activities of scouting. The dates will be announced through the local newspapers, area churches and on line at http://www.bsa-ia.org.
Scouting is an excellent family based, values organization that provides parents the opportunity to share exciting adventures with their children, while teaching decision making that is valued based. The values that strengthen families and the skills they will need for life.
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Norwalk has an active program for water meter replacement. The meter replacement program is FREE to the homeowner. We are attempting to update old meters with a touch read meter. The new meter will assist in reducing human error. The meter has a remote on the outside of the house with a black button, which when touched by a special reader, reads the actual meter in the basement. The old meters had a separate remote that ran independ ent from the inside meter.
If you receive a blue tag requesting you to call city hall to set up an appointment to change your meter, please respond. We need your help with the new meter program. We are down to the last homes that need to have the touch read meters installed. If you know that you need a new meter, please call City Hall and set up an appointment. The appointment takes about an hour and someone will need to be home at the time. If you are questioning your water usage and have an old meter, please call city hall and we will make an appointment to install a new meter. The new meters have a leak indicator, which may help you detect a small leak.
If your remote is located at the back of the house or is inaccessible to the meter reader, please contact city hall to make an appointment to move the remote to the front of the house. If we can not get to the remote to take an accurate reading, your bill will be estimated. City hall phone number is 981-0228.
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