Mayor’s Column

September

By Mayor Anne Gerwig

September brings with it many changes. It’s the month when summer ends, fall begins, and temperatures start to slowly cool. The old saying that “the older we get the quicker time flies by” is very true. It seems as though the summer season just began and now it’s almost over. The children are back in school and Labor Day is here.

On Monday, September 5, Americans across the country will celebrate Labor Day. The legislation, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland, which enacted Labor Day as a national holiday was forged amid labor unrest in which people lost their lives. While many of us will relax, travel, and spend time with our families, it is also important for us to reflect on the historical significance of this holiday. I hope that you and your family take advantage of the last long weekend of summer and have a safe and pleasant Labor Day.

September is a time for remembrance in our Great Hometown, as we gather in solidarity at the 911 Memorial on Forest Hill Blvd., paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 attacks. Join Village Council at 5:00 p.m., and hear from Mark Harris, a former Special Operations Rescue Paramedic in the New York City Fire Department’s Special Operations Command for 27 years.

On September 17th, Wellington volunteers will join the world’s largest volunteer effort for our ocean and waterways by participating in the International Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers will pick up trash and loose litter along Greenbriar Blvd. & Greenview Shores Blvd., as well as the Folkestone/Yarmouth community. Click here for all the details: http://bit.ly/2aVcyCd

Construction is underway on the Forest Hill Blvd. C-13 Culvert Replacement Project. The project, taking place just south of Wellington Trace, will narrow the existing 4 lane section of Forest Hill Blvd. to 2 lanes in order to facilitate construction activities. Construction will take place Monday – Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with occasional evening utility projects. Work will be suspended on Sundays.

Residents are advised to use extra caution while approaching this stretch of Forrest Hill Blvd., as delays are expected.

Local and pass through traffic is encouraged to use Wellington Trace or Big Blue Trace as alternatives to bypass the construction.

The Forest Hill Blvd. C-13 project will improve infrastructure on a portion of Forest Hill Blvd., including the existing culvert and the accompanying low-lying area near the culvert. The project includes the replacement of an existing failing 30” culvert with a new 60” reinforced concrete culvert, and the reconstruction of approximately 820 linear feet of roadway, including striping and signage, concrete curbing and sidewalk, drainage piping and structures, landscaping, irrigation, grading and sodding. Project completion is expected in November. Click here for more information: http://bit.ly/2aSOi8w

The World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of the Zika virus an international public health emergency. Zika is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes, and has been linked to serious birth defects. In response to this growing threat, Wellington has expanded its mosquito control efforts. Two fogging trucks spray around the Village, seven days a week. We’re placing larvacides in inlets and standing water. We are also treating athletic fields prior to use. Protect yourself from mosquitos by wearing long sleeves and pants and insect repellant, just to be on the safe side. Don’t forget to eliminate any standing water on your property.

I would like to take this opportunity to send a friendly reminder to residents that we are now three months into the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Village urges residents to postpone all tree trimming projects until the end of the season. Once the National Weather Service has named a storm and identified that Palm Beach County could be in the path, the following steps should be taken to minimize waste:

• Do not place bulk trash at the curb. Services may be suspended and facilities may close early to prepare for the storm.
• Do not cut down any trees or begin major work.
• Do not begin construction projects that could produce debris.
• Once a watch or warning has been issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind.

Mass cutting places a tremendous burden on the normal collection process and there is not enough equipment or manpower to collect the additional material before the storm makes landfall. Avoid putting you and your property in harm’s way.

I encourage you to sign up for our CodeRED Emergency Notification System. This system allows the Village to call residents in the event of an emergency. Register now at: https://wellingtonfl.gov/codered.

Finally, I encourage you to sign up for our monthly newsletter, where we keep you up to date on matters that affect our community. Click on the following link to begin receiving updates: http://wellingtonfl.gov/living/wellington-newsletter/signup

I look forward to seeing you around our Great Hometown this month.