What's New at the City of Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa

Upon the recommendation of the Chariton Cemetery Advisory Commission the Chariton City Council approved raising the burial fees for cremations from $100 to $125 for residents and from $150 to $187.50 for non-residents. In addition, the council also approved a site preparation fee of $25 for burials between December lst and April lst.

The Board of Adjustment's recommendation of raising the fee for a hearing from $27.50 to $50 was approved by the Chariton City Council. The increase will come closer to meeting the actual costs the City incurs in the publication and notification of the property owners regarding these hearings.

The 2003 Iowa Tree City USA Community Forestry Awards Luncheon was held at the Holiday Inn-Airport, Des Moines, Iowa, April 10, 2003. The City of Chariton was recertified for the 13th year as a Tree City USA Community. Mayor Mary Stierwalt, accompanied by her husband, Berns, received the award certificate, which was presented by State Forester Mike Brandrup, on behalf of the City of Chariton. John Peterson, City of Chariton Recreation Director, submitted the application to Tree City USA, making it possible for the City of Chariton to be recertified as a Tree City USA community.

Members of the Chariton National Guard 3654th Maintenance Company were deployed to Fort Riley, Kansas, Tuesday, March 18,2003. In support of the troops, a community send-off was held on Monday, March 17. 2003. A near capacity crowd gathered in the Chariton Community High School Field House to wish them well and show their support to the troops and their families. The Chariton and Corydon High School bands provided music. Colonel Robert C. King was Master of Ceremonies. Congressman Leonard Boswell spoke to the troops, their families and friends with words of support, as did Lt. Colonel Greg Steggersa, Battalion Commander, Colonel Stephen Bogle, Troop Commander, Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Ron Dardis and Mayor Mary Stierwalt. Letters of support were read from Senator Grassley, Senator Harkin, and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. Rev. Bill Kerns gave the Invocation and Benediction.

Two overhead railroad bridges, one on East Auburn and one on the Blue Grass Road, were closed indefinitely to all but foot traffic, by the Chariton City Council, effective Wednesday, February 5, 2003. The closings were the result of a negative engineer's report as to the soundness of the structures. Options to provide a more convenient access to the city will be studied in depth to come up with the best possible solution to the closing of the bridges. On March 17th, at their regular council meeting, the Chariton City Council entered into an agreement with Calhoun-Burns and Associates for a study to be made as to the cost of replacing the bridge on Auburn Avenue, the probable design, and the recommended actions to be taken. The feasibility study requested by the Chariton City Council was presented at their regular council meeting, Monday, May 19, 2003. The Council has approved plans for the replacement of this bridge and work will start in 2007.

The City of Chariton has accepted the delivery of a 2003 International tanker truck, which has been placed into service by the Chariton Volunteer Fire Department. This truck is able to carry 2000 gallons of water plus other equipment. The original cost of the truck was $120,000 but because a demonstrator was accepted, the fire department was also able to purchase additional fire fighting equipment. The truck will be paid for over a 5-year period through a General Obligation Bond and a $20,000 grant, which was received, from the Clarke County Development Corporation through the Pillar's grant process. There are now six first line units available for use by the department with an additional older truck for use in town when needed.

Representatives from Lucas County Tourism met with the Chariton City Council recently with an entrance sign proposal for the City of Chariton. They reported that the nine counties in the Chariton Valley Tourism Region are promoting a coordinated entrance sign program for each community in the nine counties area. This area has been named the Historic Hills Corridor. The logo to be used is part of a new tourism campaign to highlight the beautiful drives along Highway 34 and Highway 2 in Southern Iowa. The Historic Hills Advisory Group is inviting each of the communities in the region to participate in a joint application for a Transportation Enhancement funds grant, which is expected to be funded in 2005. The council gave their approval for a letter of intent to participate in the program to be sent on behalf of the City of Chariton. At a recent meeting of the Historic Hills Initiative it was recommended that communities in the Chariton Valley Tourism region plant red bud trees. It was felt that the success of the red bud plantings, sponsored by the Charition Chamber of Commerce, in the past several years, along with those at Red Haw State Park had been a boost for the tourism economy and would provide an incentive for visitors to the area.

The Department of Natural Resources Trumpeter Swan Restoration Team has released a pair of flightless swans in the Northwest Park Pond as part of a cooperative effort between the City of Chariton, Lucas County Development Corporation, Hy-Vee, Mike Hunter and the Lucas County Conservation Board.

Chariton City Council asked the Chariton Community Foundation to receive all donations. The Chariton City Council, Chariton Park and Recreation Board, the Swimming Pool Committee, and the Chariton Recreation Department have put together and endorsed the list of items that they would like to see added to the new aquatic facility and Bingham Park if funds were available. Early planning discussions included some of these items in the pool design, but they were eliminated in order to trim overall project costs. See details.