By DONNA RYDER
Associate Editor
When the City of Woodland Mills started charging property tax to its residents several years ago, the mayor and board members said it was to upgrade roads within the city.
Mayor Wade Carrington and the board did just that in 2012.
The city spent property tax revenues to repave Mt. Herman, Cross, Hudson, Olive and Gum streets. Bids to repair several streets were received in July and the project was completed at a cost of $76,140. The board agreed to cash in two CDs worth $63,004 to help pay for the expenditures.
Last year also saw the city spending money to make repairs to the Civic Center. Siding on the building had to be replaced after someone backed a vehicle into the building. Because the siding could not be matched exactly, the siding had to be repainted. The board decided to purchase a sign to place on the building instead of having the name of the building painted directly on the wall, as had been done before. Railroad ties were purchased to be used as stops to try to keep people from running their vehicles into the building. Work was also completed on the inside of the building.
Rental fees for the building include $100 for residents, $200 for non-residents, $150 per use for those who rent the building on a continual basis and $100 for non-profits. The mayor said there will be no fee charged if the rental is for fundraisers for Woodland Mills residents who need assistance in paying for medical bills or who have lost their homes to fire or other disasters.
There will be a $50 deposit charged to everyone who uses the building.
The city also had the sign on City Hall repainted.
Carrington said in 2013 he plans for the city to concentrate on upgrades in other departments.
“I want to look at the feasibility in upgrading the sewer system lift stations,” he said, adding the city has some drainage issues that also need to be worked on.
He also wants to promote current businesses and look for new businesses and industry.
Carrington said the city will also have some surplus equipment for sale this year.
Eyes from area city officials will be on Woodland Mills in the coming year as the city was the first in the county to sign up for curbside recycling.
Woodland Mills board members were approached by officials with Barkers Brothers and Republic Services about starting the program, which includes single stream recycling. Barker offered an increase of only $1 per residence per month to help cover the cost of the new containers to be used for the recyclables, while also eliminating the city’s contracted increase until 2014. After that, the city will have a 3 percent increase per year for a total contract period of five years. The company picks up garbage one week and recyclables the next. Each residence has two containers — green or blue ones for garbage and blue ones with green lids for recyclables. Included in items which are being diverted from the landfill are newspaper, white paper, junk mail, cardboard, food boxes, plastic containers, food cans and aluminum cans.
The decision to sign up for the recycling program came after the city held a town hall meeting at the end of October. For the most part, the mayor and aldermen said response has been positive.
Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by email at dryder@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 1.11.13