South English Council Discusses Library

SOUTH ENGLISH – During the March 12 meeting of the South English City Council, the council discussed cleaning up the town library. Currently, the library is filled with boxes of books, to the point where you cannot walk through it. The library is not handicapped accessible due to the clutter. Although shelves have been put up, the library still has too many books, according to the council. The Sigourney and Keota libraries have both told the South English library to stop giving them books. Mayor Ed Shafranek stated that there are an additional 150 books sent to the library just sitting in the post office. The council discussed reestablishing the library board and having them sort out problems at the library. City Clerk Alexia Van Dyke noted that the library is used more than most people realize.

It was noted that the snow removal costs were much higher this year and went over budget. The heavy snow removal also left rocks in the park and around the fire station, which Councilman Cameron Miller stated were almost enough to fill in a street. The council approved hiring Ed Long at a rate of $75 per hour to rake up rocks; he stated in his bid that it would take him around four hours to clean it up.

A member of the English River Township Trustees spoke with the council about the township’s plans to put up signposts in the cemetery. The trustee requested to use the cit’s account with the DNR, so they do not have to make a new account. The council stated they would vote on it at the special meeting on March 26.

The council gave White State Bank permission to build an awning, with pillars placed on a city easement. The council set the weekend of April 26-28 as the date for city cleanup.