Arbyrd city officials to begin debris removal, March 16

ARBYRD, Mo. -- The city council announced at a meeting on Monday that city officials will begin debris removal on March 16. Residents are reminded to have all debris moved to the right of way of the city streets, because the officials can not pick up debris on private property.

The clean-up will involve vegetation debris only, and no household debris will be picked up in the street side piles, according to Mayor Lonnie Gibson, Jr.

Also in the meeting, the city council voted to purchase a basketball goal to be placed in the park. This purchase will be intended to give youth a safe place to play, without obstructing the road.

In old business, the city council discussed the progress on the flood plan, the burned house on Broadway, and play ground equipment for the community park.

The flood plan has caused the city to not be able to burn the debris inside of city limits, according to FEMA requirements. The city has a secured site outside of city limits to dispose of the collected debris.

The owner of the burned house on Broadway was receiving citations before the ice storm, but has not received any since the disaster. The city will begin sending the owner one citation per week and will inform area officials that the city will pay to extradite the individual.

"When he gets stopped, they will take him to Dunklin County and he will have to go to court," Gibson said. "All he has to do is sign a piece of paper or clean up the property."

The owner of the property has informed different people that he is giving the property to the city of Arbyrd, but has yet to sign the proper paperwork, according to City Clerk Erma Branum.

Next in the meeting, alderman Johnny Zolman motioned the council to extend the delinquent tax list from March 15, until April 15, due to the ice storm. The council approved this motion unanimously because of the inclement weather.

Branum informed the police department that funds in the amount of $72.13 are still available on a open grant to the department. The funds need to be used in full so the grant can be closed, according to Branum.

Gibson took time during the meeting to acknowledge the hard work of the city during the ice storm.

"For a town of 500 plus people, that does not have the best applicants, worker, administration, or board members in some eyes, everyone pulled together, chipped in, and worked hard," Gibson said. "People came in from other towns to work with the Fire Department and residents of the city, and the town had 12 individuals doing foot patrols through the blackout at night. I have never been more proud to be from the city of Arbyrd. We are thankful to everyone who helped including Senator Rob Mayer, Representative Terry Swinger, the Governor's office, and Barry Aycock of Parma, Mo."