Sites of the Month Great Sites to Check Out
(from Partner Communication's monthly newsletter)
Major Life Events Can Affect Your Taxes
Irs.gov/ -- When you’re caught up in the joy of a baby, marriage, or
new house—or in the challenges of divorce, bankruptcy, or a
natural disaster—the last thing you’re probably thinking about is
taxes. But these types of situations can have a significant tax
impact. Visit this site to learn more.
Tools To Get Fit, All in One Place
fitday.com – Fitday can help you meet your weight loss goals with several helpful tools: articles that
focus on the challenges of weight loss, a dietician to create a custom health plan, a calorie counter to
track calorie intake, and a mobile app to keep track on the go.
Get and Stay Organized
unclutterer.com – From financial files to kids’ toys to upcoming events, the Unclutterer can help you
unclutter your life! This practical blog offers advice in numerous areas including kitchen, garage, and
travel. For example, learn how to sort out your recipes, prepare yard tools for spring, or make the most
of airport waiting time.
Find Solutions To Product Problems
manualsonline.com – Sometimes a product problem is easy to fix — if you know how to find the
solution. ManualsOnline provides access to over 700,000 product manuals so you can quickly solve
problems. For a human touch, access the user community. You can also sign up for helpful productspecific newsletters and tools.
Get Your Foodie Fix
restaurant.org – Move over, Iron Chef! Members of the American Culinary Federation have offered their
views on the hottest menu trends for 2015, and this National Restaurant Association site reveals the
results. Watch the video for an overview or read one of several PDFs and articles to get detailed "what's
hot" info.
Nutritious Springtime Produce
cookinglight.com – Every season has its best produce, and this site celebrates the nutrition-packed fruits
and veggies of spring. How about some juicy strawberries for fiber and Vitamin C? A good source of
plant protein, fresh peas are at their peak from April through July. Artichokes, rhubarb, and morel
mushrooms round out the list.
KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORS FROM USING YOUR HOME WI-FI
1. Create a password. Go into the admin dashboard for your router and find the default password.
Change it to something difficult to guess. The best passwords are long, random combinations of
letters and numbers. Don’t worry about having to remember your password – you’ll have to
enter it the first time you use a device on the network.
2. Encrypt wireless signals. This task also involves getting into your router dashboard. Once you’re
there, change your security mode to WPA2, WPA, or WEP.
3. Reduce your range. Place your router in the middle of your home to restrict its range only to
authorized users.
Scam Alert – Avoid The top 5 Facebook Scams
Online scammers may be unscrupulous, manipulative, and deceitful, but they’re also smart. They know
where to find victims for their schemes to steal valuable data, identities, and money. One of the richest
sources of unsuspecting targets is Facebook because so many people use it to share so much personal
information. But these ploys can only work if you cooperate by clicking on their fraudulent messages.
There are numerous ways for scammers to “getcha” on Facebook. Here are a few of the most common
“don’t click” scenarios:
 Profile Views and Blocks. You may see a message promising access to information about who
has viewed your profile or who has blocked you from their profile. In reality, this information
never has been and never will be available to Facebook users.
 Profile Color Change. Facebook doesn’t provide a way to change the color of your profile but
these messages claim you can do just that. Don’t fall for it!!
 Free Items. This scam’s messages promise you will receive free gift cards, tickets, clothing,
electronics, and other items if you complete a survey. You won’t.
 Facebook Security. As with your email account, you should never respond to supposed security
representatives asking for your login credentials. Once they can get into your account,
scammers can create any number of serious problems.
 Celebrity News. Gossip messages about the rich and famous – including fake death notices, sex
tapes, and other “OMG” type stories – are used as click bait. Steer Clear!
As time goes on, Internet scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and so should you.
Scam Alert – Watch Out For Tech Support Scams
When you communicate with tech support, you want them to help
you solve computer problems, not create them! Yet, that's exactly what
scammers pretending to be tech support personnel are doing.
Here's how it works: Pop-up ads claiming to sell fixes for your
computer lead you to a website to download the software. The website
includes a phone number for you to call to "register" the software. When
you call, the person on the other end of the line requests information,
such as passwords or remote access to your computer. Using remote
access, they "examine" your computer and tell you that it has problems
that need additional "solutions."
They then ask for your credit card
number to purchase these so-called solutions that don't actually do anything. While they're at it, they
may infect your computer with malware or use your financial information to commit credit card fraud.
In a variation of this scam, tricksters call you and claim that they're on the tech support team at
Microsoft or another well-known company. They go through the same process of accessing your
computer, getting credit card or other information, and then causing trouble.
To protect yourself, follow these tips:



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Never give access to your computer to someone who calls you out of the blue.
To contact tech support, call the number you already have for your hardware or software.
Never provide credit card information, passwords, or other sensitive data to someone claiming
to be a tech support representative.
Protect your computer from viruses.
Learn how to avoid identity theft.
If you fear you may already have been a victim, check your computer for malware, change passwords
you may have given out, and reverse any associated credit card charges.
The City of Melbourne offices will be
closed May 25 for Memorial Day.
CITY NEWS QUICKIES
Remember to keep your grass/weeds mowed. The City adopted a mowing ordinance in 2010 which
sets height limits and mowing time frames as well as fines. (Copies of ordinances can be seen at City
Hall or the library.)
As you mow, be sure NOT to blow your grass in the street, it can clog the storm sewers.
Water/Sewer bills are due by the 15th of the month. A 10% penalty is added after that date. Did you
know you can sign up to have your Melbourne utility payment deducted from your checking or
savings account at MidWestOne Bank automatically each month? It is a great way to simplify your
life and to avoid late payments and late charges.
Be sure to keep your animals on your property and under your control. Be sure to pick up
excrement after your pet when out walking. City ordinance amendment - dogs must be on a leash
when not on the owner’s property.
If you have a digging project, be sure to call Iowa One Call at 1-800-292-8989 before you dig.
They will notify the utilities to mark all lines. Stay safe when you dig. Or you can call 811.
Contact the city clerk’s office to find out about building permit requirements. Building permits are
not required for roofing and siding projects. If you have a building project, check with the city clerk’s
office to see if a building permit is required and if there are any regulations you have to be sure to
follow. Projects needing a permit that are started before a permit is issued may have the fees doubled.
If you will be moving, contact the city clerk’s office before your final date. We need to know your
forwarding address and when you will be moving.
Any golf cart driven on a city street, must be registered with the City of Melbourne. Stop at the city
clerk’s office for regulation information or to fill out a registration application.
Motorized vehicles may not be driven on the grounds at city parks. This includes go-carts,
snowmobiles, ATVs, motorcycles, cars, etc. Please call the Marshall County non-emergency number
641-754-5725 to report a violation.
If you notice a street light not working properly, let the City or the utility company know. You may
call Alliant Energy at 1-800-255-4268 or the city clerk’s office at 641-482-3338.
The City of Melbourne does not accept Debit or Credit cards, but please consider using your
banks’ bill pay option. Most banks offer this service at no charge to the customer. You will need
to check with your personal bank to get their policy.
One word of caution if you use this option - you will want payment to come out of your account
no later than the 10th of the month. Even though most of us bank “locally”, the payments
generally come from out of state such as California, North Carolina, Texas, etc. You will need to
allow extra time for the payment to arrive through the mail. Unfortunately, if it comes in late,
there will be a “late fee” already assessed. By having it sent BY the 10th, you should avoid it
arriving after the due date.
It’s That Time of Year
It may not seem like it yet, with all the “last-minute” snow Iowans have had to endure, but spring
is upon us. All around the state, homeowners and professionals have begun routine projects and
new endeavors that will necessarily entail digging, planting, landscaping, driveway/sidewalk
repairs, fence installations, stump removal and even simple things like pounding posts and stakes
into the ground. All of those things – and more – require prior notification to the Iowa One Call
system.
State law requires that Iowa One Call be notified at least 48-hours prior to beginning any projects
that will entail digging, excavation work (or disturbing the soil) – this excludes Saturdays,
Sundays and legal holidays. That doesn’t just affect contractors and professional excavators; the
same law applies to homeowners, farmers and…well, anyone who is planning to engage in
excavation work. Check this out; here’s what Iowa law defines as an excavation:
“Excavation” means an operation in which a structure or earth, rock, or other
material in or on the ground is moved, removed, or compressed, or otherwise
displaced by means of any tools, equipment, or explosives and includes, but is not
limited to, grading, trenching, tiling, digging, ditching, drilling, auguring, tunneling,
scraping, cable or pipe plowing, driving, and demolition of structures. “Excavation”
does not include normal farming operations, residential, commercial, or similar
gardening, the opening of a grave site in a cemetery, normal activities involved in
land surveying pursuant to chapter 542B, operations in a solid waste disposal site
which has planned for underground facilities, the replacement of an existing traffic
sign at its current location and at no more than its current depth, and normal road or
highway maintenance which does not change the original grade of the roadway or the
ditch.
Wow! That’s a mouthful. You get the idea though. Everyone needs to notify Iowa One Call prior
to doing any activities that might impact our essential underground facilities infrastructure. There
are a few exemptions, such as “normal” residential gardening. You can find out more by
visiting www.iowaonecall.com
The whole point – the absolute main thing here – is to protect and safeguard all Iowans – your
communities, your families…your children. We all need to do our part and you can help by
spreading the word.
Thanks…And dig safe!
TEMPORARY HOURS AT LIBRARY
MONDAY – 3:30 - 5 PM
TUESDAY – 3:00 – 5 PM
FRIDAY – 3:30 – 5PM
THESE HOURS ARE TEMPORARY UNTIL A LIBRARY DIRECTOR IS
FOUND.
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN-GET THEM AT CITY HALL OR ONLINE
The Anatomy of City Government
One of the most challenging and exciting responsibilities an individual can assume is to make the
decision to become a mayor or council member. The business of city government and local leadership
presents a unique opportunity to resolve issues, accomplish goals, and affect the future of your
community.
The “heartbeat” of the city consists of elected and appointed officials. Our appointed officials are Library
Board of Trustees, Park and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission. Other appointed
officials are the Mayor Pro-Tem, City Attorney and City Clerk.
The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city and presides over council meetings. The mayor
manages the meetings and maintains order. The mayor cannot vote on items before the council, but
can veto an ordinance or resolution of the council.
The authority of the city resides in the city council. The council votes on and passes motions, resolutions
and ordinances. Resolutions are statements of policy and ordinances are the laws of the city. The votes
of each council member are recorded in the minutes of a meeting. The council also approves
expenditures, the budget, contracts, city policies and zoning changes. . The City Clerk has many
responsibilities that are set by the Code of Iowa. Each city also appoints a city attorney to provide legal
advice.
Collectively these officials come together and offer their time and talents for public service. Each and
every one takes the opportunity to represent the City of Melbourne with integrity, professionalism and
making all decisions based on what is the best for our community.
The City of Melbourne conducts business on the second Monday of each month. Meetings generally
begin at 7:00 p.m. Committee work is accomplished on an as needed basis. Annual compensation for
the Mayor will be $75 per meeting and council members are paid at the rate of $40 per meeting.
This election year there are 2 - 4 year term council seats to fill on November 3, 2015. In order to hold
office in the city, a candidate must be an eligible elector, meeting the same qualifications required to
vote and be a resident of the city. The winning candidates will take office January 1, 2016. Nomination
packets may be picked up at the City Clerk’s office or the County Auditor’s Office. Nominees must
obtain 10 eligible signatures. Candidate filing begins Monday, August 24th and ends with papers due at
the City Clerk’s office by 5 PM, Thursday, September 17, 2015.
The City of Melbourne offers training for new city officials thru the Iowa League of Cities. The best
example of training sessions available for city officials is the Municipal Leadership Academy (MLA),
presented in partnership by the Iowa League of Cities, Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Iowa
and Iowa State University Office of State and Local Government Programs. These training sessions are
designed to cover the basics of city government in Iowa and are the best way for new officials to learn
about the legalities and expectations of their new position and to meet both new and experienced city
officials.
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but
when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” by
Marjorie Moore
How Much Water
Do You Lose Through
Common Leaks and Wasteful Practices
Fixture
Drippy Faucet
Toilet
Ice Machines
Irrigation
Swimming Pools
Leak Amount
Slow
Fast
Small stream
Large stream
Tank/bowl seal leaks
Sticks sometimes
Runs until jiggled
Runs constantly
Valve sticks when running
Valve sticks when open
(If water cooler add:)
Sprinkler head broken
Sprinkler head missing
Sprinklers run daily
Splash outs from overfilling
Approx.
Gal./Month
300
600
2,000
4,000
2,000
10,000
20,000
100,000
28,000
86,000
23,000
4,000
8,000
17,000
4,000
Approx.
Cost/Month
$3.45
6.90
23.00
46.00
23.00
115.00
230.00
1150.00
322.00
989.00
264.50
46.00
92.00
1955.00
46.00
Approx.
Cost/Year
$41.40
82.80
276.00
552.00
276.00
1380.00
2760.00
1380.00
3864.00
11,868.00
3174.00
552.00
1104.00
2346.00
552.00
Please Be Considerate of Your Neighbors When Burning
Melbourne has received numerous complaints about open burning. I would like to remind residents
that this is a privilege that most cities no longer allow. Please be considerate of your neighbors when
burning. Consider the direction of the wind and if it is a cool day that windows are open. Knock on
their doors and let them know you will be burning and for how long.
is prohibited by ordinance and
residents may be ticketed. Yard waste may not be burned before dawn or after sunset. Fires must be
fully extinguished.
such fires hazardous.
PET OWNER REMINDER: It is unlawful for any owner to allow an animal to run at-large
within the corporate limits of the City (Chapter 55). Animals found in violation shall be
seized and impounded at the impoundment facilities and/or may receive a fine. The owner
may be served a summons to appear before a proper court to answer charges. The owner may
also be invoiced by the City for seizure and transport charges. Please make sure to clean up
after your pets. City Code 55.16 states that it is the duty of every pet owner or person(s)
having control or custody of the animal to clean up after and remove the feces deposited by
such animal(s) at all times. Such animal feces shall be disposed of in a sanitary
manner. These rules also apply when walking your pets. Please be considerate of other
residents.
Peddler Permits
Did you know there are laws in Melbourne pertaining to door to door solicitors (sales
people)? According to the Melbourne’s Ordinance it is unlawful for individuals to solicit
orders for goods and services, or even sell merchandise door to door without a
Melbourne City Permit issued by City Hall. Although there are individuals who do not
have to have a permit; they are Non-profit groups or organizations, regularly scheduled
route people such as Schwann’s, newspaper deliveries, cable television, lawn service,
and etc. Although these people may be exempt, they still need to check in with the City
when they go door to door so we may get information on their company or organization.
All Individuals who obtain a permit from the City of Melbourne shall carry said permit at
all times while they are doing business within the city. They must also adhere to a
background check along with an application process which includes a fee to be
determined by the length of time they are in Melbourne. Once the application process is
complete, the individual will be issued a Melbourne Peddler Permit. It is highly
suggested that Melbourne Citizens ask to see this permit to know that the individual has
checked in with us. Door to Door sales can only be conducted during the hours of 9:00
a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Water Main Flushing
Why does the City flush water mains?
Water main flushing is performed to maintain the distribution system to desired standards.
Flushing is used to remove iron and other deposits that may build up over time in some parts of
the system and is performed to bleed the system of air pockets. Flushing moves water through
parts of the system where it may have lost the desired concentration of chlorine and fluorine due
to relatively low water usage. It also allows Water Department crews an opportunity to inspect
hydrants for tampering and verify they are operating properly for fire protection.
How often does the City flush water mains? Water Department personnel generally
perform flushing operations twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. Flushing may also be
performed after repairs have been made to fix breaks or new lines that have been added to the
water distribution system to ensure the system is properly disinfected.
What should residents expect when the City is flushing water mains?
Residents may experience low water pressure and some discolored water when the Water
Department crews are flushing in their neighborhood. Any change in the direction or rate of flow
of the water due to water main break, fire use, heavy sprinkling, and flushing can cause naturally
occurring deposits in the pipe to be churned up and mix with the water, affecting its appearance.
In most cases, the “rusty” water is temporary and will go away within about 5 minutes by letting
the water run through an unfiltered cold water tap until the system clears. While discolored water
may not look pleasant, it is not a health risk.
Residents may also notice the water is cloudy or has a chlorine smell. Tiny air bubbles may be
trapped in the water by the churning action causing it to look cloudy. The churning action may
also cause chlorine to be released from the water, affecting smell and taste.
Notice of flushing is placed on the barrels on Main Street the day before flushing will begin. If
you have no water pressure during flushing operations, please notify the Water Department at
641-482-3338.
We are pleased to offer the Direct Payment Plan of your Utility Billing Payment if you bank with
MidWestOne Bank here in Melbourne.
 It saves time – fewer checks to write and mail.
 It saves postage – no stamps necessary.
 Helps pay your utility billing in a convenient and timely manner.
 It’s easy to sign up for, easy to cancel and you don’t have to worry about late charges on
your utility account.
You authorize regularly scheduled payments to be made from your checking or savings account.
Your payments will be made automatically on the 8th of every month for the utility billing for
that month. Proof of payment will appear on your checking or savings account statement.
The authority you give to charge your account will remain in effect until you notify us in writing
to terminate the authorization. The Direct Payment Plan is dependable, convenient and easy.
Please complete the authorization form and return it to us.
Be sure to indicate checking or savings account...
Fill in your account number.
Attach a VOIDED check for verification.
Be sure to sign the form.
If you have any questions, please call Melbourne City Hall at 482-3338.
I______________________________________WISH TO HAVE MY WATER/SEWER PAYMENT
WITHDRAWN AUTOMATICALLY FROM MY CHECKING_______ OR SAVINGS_________ ACCOUNT AT
MIDWEST ONE BANK OF MELBOURNE.
MY ACCOUNT NUMBER IS _____________________________________________
PLEASE INCLUDE A VOIDED DEPOSIT SLIP OR CHECK SHOWING YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER ON IT.
GOLF CART REGISTRATION
All registrations are now in the spring. Beginning April 1 and running through May 15, you can
come to City Hall, with your golf cart, driver's license and proof of
insurance. We will look your golf cart over for the items you are required to
have, copy your proof of insurance and driver's license and you will receive
your orange flag for your cart.
We will also have one day on a weekend when we will be at City Hall for
those of you who have no time during the week. We will do this on Saturday,
April 18, 2015, from 10 am to 2 pm. If you do not have a new flag by May
16, you will be cited.
These stories include Iowa historical figures, celebrities and those individuals of
Iowa who have influenced the lives of others
Harry Reasoner, TV commentator
Harry Truman Reasoner was an American journalist for ABC and CBS
News, known for his inventive use of language as a television
commentator and as a founder of the 60 Minutes program. Over the
course of his career, Reasoner won three Emmy Awards and a George
Foster Peabody Award in 1967.
Reasoner was born at First Street North in Dakota City, Iowa on April 17,
1923. He and his older sister Esther were children of Eunice (Nicholl) and
Harry Ray Reasoner, who married in 1911. His father became a school
superintendent, his mother was a teacher. Reasoner was taught to read
by his parents before entering school, gaining a strong vocabulary from
his mother. When he was a teenager, the family moved to Minneapolis.
He attended West High School in Minneapolis. During his time at the
school, Reasoner developed his interest for journalism. One story he authored, entitled “The Wrench of
the Week” garnered the attention of the principal who expelled Reasoner but he later returned
following a plea from fellow student Chet Newby. Reasoner graduated in January 1940 having missed
the Class of 1939 graduation ceremony. He studied journalism at Stanford University and the University
of Minnesota. He served in World War II and then resumed his journalism career with The Minneapolis
Times.
After going into radio with CBS in 1948, Reasoner worked for the United States Information Agency in
the Philippines. When he returned to the States, he went into television and worked as news director at
station KEYD-TV in Minneapolis. He ran for Minneapolis city council as a Republican in 1949 and
garnered 381 votes (4.4 percent). He later joined CBS News in New York, where he eventually hosted a
morning news program called Calendar on top of doing commentator and special news narration duties.
On November 22, 1963, Reasoner took part in covering the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Walter Cronkite and Charles Collingwood had been switching back and forth to report on the incident
for about four hours after Cronkite initially broke the new at 1:40 PM. Reasoner took over the anchor
chair after Collingwood tossed it to him at 5:49 PM. Later he reported on the arrival of Kennedy’s body
to Washington, D.C. and provided details regarding Lee Harvey Oswald. Two days later, Sunday, he was
at the anchor desk when Oswald was shot by Jack Ruby while being moved in the Dallas City Jail.
In 1968, Reasoner teamed up with Mike Wallace to begin the 60 Minutes newsmagazine series. He often
worked with producer and write Andy Rooney, who later became a well-known contributor in his own
right. In a farewell interview on 60 Minutes in 2011, Rooney said that Reasoner was a great writer in his
own right but was lazy, giving Rooney more opportunities to show his writing skills.
In 1970, Reasoner was hired away from CBS by ABC to become an anchor on the network’s newly
revamped nightly newscast. At the time of his hire, the network’s New York-based broadcast, simply
titled ABC News, was anchored by Howard K. Smith and Frank Reynolds, both former colleagues of
Reasoner at CBS. Beginning in December of 1970 Reasoner was moved into Reynolds’ position (Reynolds
thus became the network’s chief Washington correspondent) and the newscast became known as ABC
Evening News.
Reasoner anchored the news alongside Smith until 1975, when he took the sole anchor position while
Smith moved into a commentary role. The next year, however, ABC decided to pair Reasoner with a new
co-anchor—this time, it was former Today Show co-host Barbara Walters, whom ABC had gone to great
lengths to hire away from NBC. Walters and Reasoner did not enjoy a close relationship; Reasoner not
only did not like sharing the spotlight with a co-anchor but was uncomfortable with Walters’ celebrity
status. It was also widely believed that Reasoner disliked the idea of a woman anchoring the network
news, which he denied, saying “I am trying to keep an open mind about it”. In another interview,
Reasoner said on the subject “I’ve worked in journalism for women and with women for years. For two
years I did a CBS morning news program with a woman. I feel they’re no worse than men are.”
After two years of co-anchoring ABC Evening News with Walters, Reasoner departed the network after
nearly eight years in June 1978 and returned to CBS, where he resumed his duties on 60 Minutes.
Shortly after his departure ABC elected to scrap ABC Evening News altogether and reworked the
newscast into World News Tonight.
Reasoner stayed with 60 Minutes until his retirement on May 19, 1991.
Reasoner was married twice, to Kathleen Carroll Reasoner for 35 years and then to Insurance Executive
Lois Harriett Weber in 1988. He had seven children by his first marriage, Harry Stuart, Ann, Elizabeth,
Jane Mary Ray, Ellen and Jonathon. Reasoner underwent two operations for lung cancer in 1985 and
1987. Reasoner died three months after his retirement in 1991 from a blood clot in the brain received
from a fall at his home in Westport, Connecticut. He is interred at Union Cemetery in Humboldt.
Check these do’s and don’ts for extension cord safety!!
DO’S:
Do choose the right length and gauge extension
cord for the job by checking the cord label and
the specs on the electrical equipment.
Do inspect extension cords before each use to
make sure the cord and plug are in good
condition.
Do insert the plug fully into the outlet and
uncoil the cord to reduce the risk of
overheating.
Do use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
when using cords in wet or damp areas.
Do make sure electrical equipment is turned off
before you plug it into an extension cord.
Do unplug extension cords when not in use.
DON’TS:
Don’t use extension cords in place of
permanent wiring; they’re intended only for
temporary use.
Don’t run extension cords across doorways
where they may be damaged or create tripping
hazards.
Don’t run extension cords under rugs, which
could cause the cords to overheat and start a
fire.
Don’t attach extension cords to floors or walls
with nails or staples, which could damage
insulation or expose wires on the cords.
Don’t use indoor cords outside.
Don’t plug one cord into another to make it
longer, which could start a fire. Use a cord of
the right length for the job.
Indoor & Outdoor Spring Cleaning Hints
Around The House:
-out. Create
efficient storage for sporting goods, camping
equipment, recreational vehicles, and garden
tools. You'll have the jump on summer fun!
of any needed seasonal maintenance.
missing or broken shingles or tiles. Arrange for
any needed repairs early; roofing contractors can
be hard to find during summer's construction
season.
paint peeling spots on trim or woodwork. You'll
protect wood against summer's heat and
moisture--and prevent a more difficult paint job
come fall.
weeds from beds and lawn. New growth will be
protected from damage or disease.
Begin major spring landscaping projects.
Spring's the time to put in shrubs and trees, but
check with your local extension office for
specific planting recommendations for your
area.
The Inside Story:
family wardrobe check as you bring out warmweather clothing. Sort winter clothing for
discards and donations before you store.
-clutter house and
garage to turn trash into cash.
kend and enlist the family for
spring cleaning. Many hands make light work!
Reward the team with dinner
window treatments. Vacuum any dust; send
dirtier drapes to the cleaners.
spring inspection of cooling
systems. Don't wait for the first hot day! Air
conditioning firms will give better service when
they're not busy.
system humidifiers. Check the system manual
for instructions on how to power down for the
summer.
Basic Rules for Clotheslines
Hang the socks by the toes, not the top.
Hang pants by the bottom/cuffs—not the waistbands.
Wash the clothesline before hanging any clothes by walking the entire length of
each line with a damp cloth.
Hang the clothes in a certain order. Always hang whites with whites and hang
them first.
Always hang a shirt by the tail and never by the shoulders.
Wash day is always on Monday, and clothes must never be hung on the weekend or on Sunday.
(I belong in clothesline prison on this one!)
Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines to hide your “unmentionables” in the middle.
If weather is sub-zero—clothes will freeze dry. (This is an awesome concept!)
Always gather clothes pins, when taking down dry clothes. Pins on the lines are tacky!
For efficiency, line the clothes up so two items can share a middle clothespin, rather than using
two pins for each item.
Clothes must be taken off the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the laundry basket,
ready to be ironed. Ironed? Well that’s a whole other subject!
Severe Weather Preparedness Week
March 15-21, 2015
Tornado Drill
March 19, 2015
Flood Safety Week
Mar 16-20, 2015
Lightning Awareness Week
Jun 21-27, 2015
Winter Weather Week
Nov 15-21, 2015
An Introduction to Iowa Severe Weather
Tornadoes
A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air generated
from a thunderstorm in contact with the ground. Winds in a
tornado can range anywhere from 50 to 200+ mph. Tornadoes
take on a variety of shapes, sometimes resembling a thin rope
that is only a few feet wide, other times appearing as a monstrous
mile-wide wedge that fills the horizon. Rain sometimes surrounds
a tornado and makes it impossible to see until it is too late. In
addition, tornadoes may last only a minute or so, while others may
stay on the ground for over an hour.
Iowa has experienced tornadoes during every month of the year, but they are most frequent
from March to July, with the climatological peak in activity occurring in June. This does not
mean that violent and deadly tornadoes are confined to this five month window. Deadly tornado
outbreaks have occurred in Iowa as early as late January and as late as mid-November.
Tornadoes tend to touch down during the late afternoon and early evening hours, but overnight
and morning tornadoes are also possible.
Terms to Know:
Wall Cloud: A lowering in the storm clouds that often precedes a tornado. Many times, this
cloud is rotating.
Funnel Cloud: A funnel-shaped cloud that sometimes descends from a wall cloud. If this cloud
comes in contact with the ground, it becomes a tornado.
Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale: The official scale used to rank tornado strength. This scale goes
from EF-0 to EF-5 and is based on the amount and type of damage caused by a tornado. From
this damage, an estimated wind speed is determined.
Straight-Line Winds
Straight-line wind is a term used to describe non-tornadic winds
generated by severe thunderstorms. These winds have their origins
aloft in the thunderstorm, where rain cools the air in its immediate
vicinity. This cold air accelerates downward because it is denser than
the surrounding air mass, and spreads out across the ground upon
reaching the surface. These winds are typically in the 50 to 70 mph
range, but in rare cases can exceed 100 or even 115 mph (similar to
a Category 3 hurricane). Unlike tornadoes, downed trees and other
debris trails are oriented in a single direction, hence the term "straight-line" winds.
Even though straight-line winds are not as strong as large tornadoes,
they still have the ability to uproot trees, down power lines, damage
buildings (especially grain bins, storage sheds, and other similar
structures), and flatten crops. High profile vehicles are also vulnerable
and can be flipped or forced off the road by these winds. Falling trees
and other debris pose a hazard to anyone in their path; many deaths in
straight-line wind storms are attributed to trees falling onto people in
their cars or homes. Downed live power lines can easily electrocute and
possibly kill anyone who comes in contact with them. Straight-line winds
are responsible for most thunderstorm wind damage, and can cause damage equivalent to an
EF-2 tornado. However, while a tornado damage track is relatively short and narrow, the
damage swath from a straight-line wind event can be tens of miles wide and affect thousands of
square miles.
Terms to Know:



Bow Echo: One of the more common straight-line wind storms. Consists of a long band
of severe thunderstorms and appears bow-shaped on radar imagery (see image above).
Bow echoes tend to produce a wide band of straight-line winds with the strongest winds
located at the apex of the bow.
Downburst/Microburst: A small scale wind event typically on the order of a few miles in
size and lasts for five to ten minutes. Generally associated with individual storm cells.
Derecho: A name given to an especially long-lasting straight-line wind storm that
produces a large damage path, which may be hundreds of miles long.
Hail
Hail is frozen precipitation that falls from a thunderstorm and can grow
to the size of softballs or larger, but is generally less than two inches in
diameter. A strong thunderstorm updraft (rising air in a storm) is key
for the production of hail. As rain near the base of the storm gets
caught in the updraft, these drops get lofted high into the storm and
freeze into small ice pellets. These ice pellets cycle through the
updraft, repeatedly collecting more water and growing larger as they
are lofted into the storm and freeze. Once the thunderstorm updraft can no longer support the
hailstones, they fall to the ground. A number of meteorological factors can influence hail sizes,
but the strength of the thunderstorm updraft (therefore, the strength of the storm itself) is the
most critical.
Hail poses a serious threat to anyone outside and outdoor property. Large hailstones can fall at
speeds of over 100 mph and easily injure or kill anyone caught in their path. Pets and livestock
are also susceptible to injury or death by hail. In addition, strong winds during a hailstorm can
amplify the effects of small hail and damage the sides of buildings. Close to a billion dollars in
property damage is caused by hail each year, mostly to automobiles, house roofs, and crops.
Lightning
While undoubtedly the most commonly experienced severe weather
threat, lightning is by far the deadliest of these phenomena. An average
of 58 people are killed and over 300 injured in the United States each
year by lightning, making it the third deadliest weather phenomenon
(behind heat and floods). Lightning develops as the result of an electrostatic charge build-up in
a thunderstorm, which is caused by colliding ice crystals high in the storm. This charge
continues to build over time, with the bottom of the storm becoming negatively charged and the
ground becoming positively charged. When the electric charge becomes too great, a large bolt
of electricity, a lightning bolt, travels from one charge source to the other.
The temperature of lightning can exceed 50,000°F, over five times hotter than the surface of the
sun. This super-heats the air around the bolt, producing a shock wave that we hear as thunder.
Because sound waves travel much slower than light waves, the distance from a lightning bolt
can be calculated using the time that elapses from when a lightning bolt is seen to when thunder
is heard. Sound waves travel approximately one mile every five seconds, so one can divide the
elapsed time by five to find the distance (in miles) between them and the lightning bolt. For
example, if the time between the lightning strike and thunder is 20 seconds, 20 divided by 5
would be 4 miles.
1. Learn about possible dangers in your area and become familiar with your community's
disaster response plan.
2. Talk to your family about what to do in the event of an emergency. Pick two locations
where you will meet: one close to your home and another removed from your
neighborhood to be used if you are unable to return to your residence.
3. Develop a communications plan to insure that your family will be able to stay in
contact if separated during a disaster.
4. Create disaster kits for your home, office, and car.
5. Practice your plan!
Control the Height of Vegetative Matter Growing within the City
The City Council of the City of Melbourne, in order to protect the public health and safety of the
citizens of Melbourne, regulate the height of vegetative matter within the City to the height of six
(6) inches or less. The presence of vegetative matter going to seed is in violation of Section 50.02
(9) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Melbourne. Any property which is not mowed by
the 15th of April and continuing for the months of May through October of each year may be
mowed by the City of Melbourne or their agents, and a charge of $100 per hour for such
mowing. Any property owners who fail to mow their properties, thus allowing the same to be
mowed by the City or their agents, and who do not provide payments for the mowing as
required, will be assessed by the City for such costs, which will be collected in the same manner
as general property taxes.
Failure to comply will make it necessary for the City to perform any action necessary to abate
the nuisance without further notice and the costs will be assessed to the property owner under the
provisions of Chapter 50 of the Code of Ordinances.
WEST MARSHALL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
KINDERGARTEN R0UND-UP
THURSDAY, APRIL 9TH and FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH
If you have a child or know of a child who will be five
by September 15, 2015, please have the parent call
Toni at the Elementary Principal’s Office, 483-2671.
ALERT IOWA SYSTEM
Marshall County is working on the new Alert Iowa System. We are in the infancy stages but are starting
to build the system as we go. Now is the time for citizens of Marshall County to sign up and get alerts
on their cell and/or home phones and e-mail. At first, it will be the general programmed weather and
civil alerts (similar to what you would get on a NOAA Weather Radio) and eventually we will be adding
alerts that can come from Emergency Management and Law Enforcement.
Messages can be issued via landline or wireless phone, text messaging, e-mail, FAX, TDD/TTY, and social
media.
Please go to this link and sign yourself and your family up. Each person will need to fill out their own
page and submit it. Please share this will anyone and everyone in the county that you can. We will be
putting out more information as soon as we have more.
Thank you everyone for being patient as we build this system and do more training on it.
If you have questions please let me know.
http://entry.inspironlogistics.com/marshall_ia/wens.cfm
Kimberly Elder, CEM
Coordinator
Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Region 1 Homeland Security Board Contact
2369 Jessup Avenue Floor 3
Sheriff's Office Admin. Bldg.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-754-6385
Animal Protection and Control
Chapter 55
 It is unlawful for any owner to allow an animal to run at large within the corporate limits
of the City.
 It is unlawful for the owner of a dog to allow or permit such dog to cause serious
annoyance or
disturbance to any person by frequent and habitual howling, yelping, barking, or
otherwise, or by running after or chasing persons, bicycles, automobiles or other vehicles.
 Animals found at large in violation of this chapter shall be seized and impounded, or at
the discretion of the peace officer, the owner may be served a summons to appear before
a proper court to answer charges made thereunder.
 Impounding costs are the boarding costs incurred for impoundment and an impoundment
fee of:
▪ $25 for the first impoundment;
▪ $100 for every subsequent impoundment;
▪ Any animal found wandering, without tags, will be taken to the Animal Rescue
League immediately and the pet owner will be liable for any fees charged by ARL
to get their pet back in addition to the city fee of $100 which covers costs incurred
to transport the animal to ARL.
A total of six cats and dogs, not more than three of which may be dogs are allowed per
household, and must be maintained in compliance with the sections of this chapter relating to
such animals.
REMOVAL OF EXCREMENT FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.
1. An owner or custodian of any animal shall keep all structures, pens, houses, or
yards wherein an animal is confined clean and free from excrement and the odor
arising from excrement. Such area shall also be clean and free of vermin and
anything that is likely to become putrid, offensive or injurious to health. An area,
structure, pen, house or yard not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition may
be declared a public nuisance and removed at the owner's or custodian's expense.
2. It shall be unlawful for an owner or custodian to permit an animal to discharge
excrement upon any public property, park property, public right-of-way or the
property of another unless the excrement is immediately picked up and disposed
of in an appropriate refuse container.
3. Animal excrement shall not be placed in storm sewers or street gutters, but shall
be picked up and disposed of in a sanitary manner in an appropriate refuse
container.
(Be kind to your neighbors, pick up after your pet when on walks or letting them out)
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES
CHAPTER 75
No person shall operate an ATV or snowmobile within the City in violation of the provisions of
Chapter 321G of the Code of Iowa or rules established by the Natural Resource Commission of
the Department of Natural Resources governing their registration, numbering, equipment and
manner of operation.
The operators of ATVs and snowmobiles shall comply with the following restrictions as to
where ATVs and snowmobiles may be operated within the City:
 ATVs and snowmobiles shall be operated only upon streets which have not been plowed
during the snow season and on such other streets as may be designated by resolution of
the Council.
 ATVs and snowmobiles shall not be operated in any park, playground or upon any other
City-owned property without the express permission of the City. A snowmobile shall not
be operated on any City land without a snow cover of at least one-tenth of one inch.
 No person shall operate an ATV or snowmobile on public or private property within the
City between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The owner and operator of an ATV or
snowmobile is liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of
the ATV or snowmobile
 ATVs and snowmobiles shall be driven in a single file manner in the proper lane of traffic
as close to the curb or edge of roadway as is possible under existing conditions.
Golf Cart Ordinance
Chapter 77
Golf carts may be operated upon the streets of the City by persons possessing a valid Iowa
operator’s license, and proof of insurance except as prohibited in Section 77.03 of this chapter.
 Golf carts shall not be operated upon any City street which is a primary road extension
through the City. However, golf carts may cross such a primary road extension. Hart
Avenue is hereby designated a primary road extension in the City.
 Golf carts operated upon City streets shall be equipped with at least the following:
A. A slow moving vehicle sign, along with an orange bicycle safety flag that
shows above the roof-line of the golf cart.
B. Golf carts shall be equipped with adequate brakes.
C. Golf carts with proper lighting may be operated on the streets after dark.
 No golf carts shall be operated on any City street at a speed in excess of twenty-five (25)
miles per hour.
 No person shall operate a Golf Cart on any public street, or alley for any purpose unless
the operator possesses a City of Melbourne permit to operate a golf cart on city streets,
issued by the City Clerk.
A. Golf cart owners may apply for a permit from the Melbourne City Clerk by
showing a valid Iowa driver’s license and proof of insurance for the golf cart.
They will then be issued a sticker from the City to be posted in plain sight on the
Golf Cart. (We will change this to an orange flag with a number representing the
year.)
B. The fee for a permit will be $20.00 every year.
Every person operating a golf cart upon a street or alley shall be granted all of the rights and
privileges and shall be subject to all the duties and obligations applicable to the driver of a motor
vehicle and to the motor vehicle laws of the City and State declaring the rules of the road
applicable to the driver of the vehicle, except as to those provisions which by their nature can
have no application.
RIDING ON GOLF CARTS. The number of persons riding in or on a golf cart shall not exceed the
number of permanent regular driver and passenger seats attached to the vehicle.
National EMS Week 2015 - Presented by ACEP in partnership with the
National Association of EMT's (NAEMT), May 17 - 23
History of EMS Week
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) was instrumental in establishing EMS
Week when President Gerald Ford declared November 3 – 10, 1974 as the first “National
Emergency Medical Services Week.” This annual observance continued for four more years and
was then reinstituted by ACEP in 1982. Around this time the observance of EMS Week was
moved to September. In 1992 EMS Week was again moved to be the 3rd week in May. The
move was made to separate EMS Week from Fire Prevention week in October. The rationale for
the move was the majority of fire and EMS services felt having the two events back to back hurt
the effectiveness of each program so EMS Week was moved to May.
EMS Week is the perfect time to recognize and honor the dedication of those who provide the
day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's “front line.” Our area first responders spend many
hours training each year in addition to taking the time out of their daily, personal schedules to
answer calls. Our Melbourne Emergency Responders are funded solely by grants and donations.
Some of the responders are EMT's, all are volunteers. All are CPR Certified and meet once a
month in addition to attending training meetings every three months. Responder equipment is
based at the Melbourne Fire Department. They cover Melbourne, Rhodes and Logan,
Washington, and Eden Townships. This is a great time to thank them individually for their
ongoing efforts and the service that they provide!
Our dedicated Emergency Responders are: Gary Fricke, Angie Gibbs, Tonia Tinius, Donna Mayer,
Lucas Hauser, Ashley & Scott Kelber, Deb Mercer and Chris Mayer. We have several people
taking classes—Abra Huffaker, Carrie White, Cole White and Paige Mayer.
We continue to meet monthly and cover any issues that have come up each month. Thanks to
everyone that has ever donated to Melbourne EMS, without your generous donations and the
Local Option Sales Tax from the city we wouldn’t have been able to get new equipment and our
new rig.
If you are interested in becoming a First Responder, we are always looking for new recruits. You
can contact Gary Fricke, Crew Chief, at 641-328-4389 or Angie Gibbs, Sec. /Treas., at 641-7517693.
WITH ALL THE TRAGIC TRAIN/CAR-TRUCK ACCIDENTS RECENTLY, THIS IS GOOD INFO
50 Plus Club
The 50 + club would like to
invite anyone 50 and over
to come join us on the 4th
Monday of each month for
a potluck lunch. If you aren’t able to fix
something, just come and join us for a great
meal and to visit. We have a short business
meeting and put in a dollar a month to help
pay the rent and to save a little to be able
to buy gifts and canteen tickets for the
veterans that don’t have family at the
Veterans Home at Christmas time.…….
thank you.
MASON’S THANK
YOU
The Lodge would like to thank
all who helped make our Pizza
Day a success.
We also had our Annual Pancake and Sausage
Breakfast on Palm Sunday the 29th of March.
Thank you to all who joined us.
Thanks
Jim White
MELBOURNE BEAUTIFICATION
COMMITTEE
Melbourne Beautification Committee - Coming
soon to the Melbourne Main Street will be
beautiful hanging flower baskets to compliment
the benches and flower pots. Vern Waterman
has designed and is currently making
fourteen ornate metal brackets for our seven
light poles. The committee will be scheduling a
meeting in April to discuss an action plan for
planting and upkeep during the growing
season. If anyone is interested in joining the
group, please contact Carrie White at 641-4823105 or Vickie Stahl at 641-482-3013.
These flowers will sure spruce up the town and
the entrance to businesses. We will plant,
maintain and water the pots. Please consider
donating to help with expenses! A donation of
any amount will be accepted and sincerely
appreciated. Donations may be dropped off at
the clerk’s office or mailed to P.O. Box 37,
Melbourne.
LITTLE LEAGUE
NEWS
Town ball is almost
here! Right now we are still
in the registration process but we will have
several teams that you will be able to come out
and cheer on. Please "LIKE" our Facebook pageMelbourne Community Little League-to keep up
with everything going on. Also to
let you know Melbourne will be
hosting the Girl's Championship
Little League games this year on
Saturday July 11th.
MELBOURNE CITY WIDE CLEAN UP
JUNE 15, 2015
THRU
JUNE 19, 2015
USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN UP
AROUND YOUR HOME
LET'S TAKE PRIDE IN OUR TOWN!!!
SIGN UP AND PREPAY AT CITY HALL
LIST OF ITEMS FOR PICK-UP
White Goods: Microwaves, stoves/ovens, washer/dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators or freezers (door
removed), hot water heaters, air conditioners. NO TV’S ACCEPTED
Fee of $10.00 per item
Propane Cylinders: Fee of $3.00
Tires: 13” to 21” - $3.00
22” to 28” - $10.00
28” and over - $20.00 (add $2 if on rim)
THESE ITEMS MUST BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM OTHER ITEMS TO BE PICKED UP
Furniture: Couches, chairs, tables, beds and dressers
Metal: Metal tubs/sinks, iron bed frames, lawn tractors, mowers, snow blowers, garden tillers, etc. (ALL
FLUIDS MUST BE REMOVED), bicycle parts, car parts, (fluids removed), metal chairs, metal
siding/gutters/down spouts. NO NAILS OR BOLTS
LIST OF ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE PICKED UP
GARBAGE, YARD WASTE, CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL, HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS
WASTE, WASTE OIL, ANTIFREEZE, PAINT OR PAINT CANS.
THE LANDFILL DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY FREE LIQUIDS, DEAD ANIMALS,
HAZARDOUS WASTE, WHOLE CAR BODIES OR WHOLE BARRELS.
THE LANDFILL NO LONGER ACCEPTS COMPUTERS OR COMPUTER
COMPONENTS—THESE MUST BE RECYCLED—GOODWILL WILL TAKE THEM, NO
MATTER HOW OLD
PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT US TO TAKE WHAT YOU CAN SEND IN YOUR
WEEKLY GARBAGE. WE WANT TO TAKE THE LARGE PIECES THAT THE
GARBAGE HAULER WILL NOT TAKE!
THERE WILL BE A MINIMUM FEE OF $10.00 TO TAKE PART IN THE CLEAN UP. THIS
FEE AND DONATIONS PAY FOR THE FUEL USED IN ALL THE TRIPS TO THE
LANDFILL.
IF YOU DO NOT SIGN UP—WE WILL NOT PICK UP.
SIGN UP FEE MUST BE SEPARATE FROM WATER BILL AND WE NEED A LIST OF
WHAT WE ARE PICKING UP.
(Gary & Jim would appreciate any volunteer help loading the trucks each day)
PLEASE HAVE ITEMS ON CURB NO LATER
THAN THURSDAY EVENING
ALL WATER BILLS ARE DUE ON 15TH OF EACH
MONTH
Your water/sewer bill is due in our office on the
15th of every month. If you pay on the 16th, you
are delinquent and will be charged the penalty
for that month. If you are in arrears more than
two months, we will send a shut-off notice. If
not paid by date noted on notice, we will shut
off the water. At that time, all amounts due will
have to be paid plus all fees added for shut off
notice, shut off fees, and fees to turn back on.
Reminder of items allowed at
lagoon burn site
Only yard waste is allowed to be taken to
the lagoon. Leaves, grass trimmings,
branches from trees and bushes are fine. Do
not take stumps and large tree limbs.
Nothing else is allowed. No lumber or
wooden furniture, no garbage and no
garbage bags full of leaves. You must dump
the leaves out and take the bags home to
dispose of.
You must come to City Hall to sign for the
key to the lagoon. Lagoon is not left
unlocked.
Inoperable Vehicles
The Melbourne Police Department would like to
remind residents that inoperable motor
vehicles are not allowed to be parked within the
city unless they are concealed within a garage
or other structure, or are behind a privacy
fence.
The City ordinance states that it shall be
unlawful to keep, park, store or abandon any
motor vehicle which is not in operating
condition, partially dismantled, used for repair
of parts or as a source of repair or replacement
parts for other vehicles, kept for scrapping,
dismantling or salvage of any kind, or which is
not properly licensed for operation with the
state.
Such vehicles are considered a health hazard
and the owner can be cited for this violation. If
you wish to report an inoperable vehicle in your
neighborhood, please contact the Melbourne
Police Department at 641-482-3338.
JOB OPENINGS
______________________________
Library Director Position
Melbourne Public Library
30 Hours per week
Organizational Skills
Computer Literate
Working with Children
Apply at Melbourne City Hall
Applications accepted until
March 31
Questions, call 482-3338
______________________________
Library Assistant Position
Melbourne Public Library
10 Hours per week
Organizational Skills
Computer Literate
Ages 16 and up
Apply at Melbourne City Hall
Applications accepted until
March 31
Questions, call 482-3338
MELBOURNE COMMUNITY GARDEN
Melbourne Community Garden - The meeting to plan for the 2015 planting season was held on Tuesday,
March 3rd. The group discussed what went well for last year and what we would like to
change. Currently we have fourteen 8x13 plots available for rent but, if there is a need, we would be
able to create additional plots.
The Community Garden is located on the east side of St John's United Church of Christ and any
Melbourne resident is eligible to participate. Each plot rents for $10 per season running from May 1st to
October 31st. Gardeners can reserve multiple plots if available. The rental fee covers the cost of tilling
and water usage. There is a Community Garden agreement that requires signature and fee payment at
the time of rental.
Please contact Vickie Stahl at 641-482-3013 for additional information. Reservations are currently in
progress. Please "Like" the Melbourne Community Garden - Green and Growing Facebook page for
more information.
MELBOURNE MOUSEHOLE DAYS
JULY 31, AUGUST 1&2, 2015
TOWN FULL OF HEROES
START PLANNING NOW!!!
(VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME!)
Watch Melbourne Website and Melbourne Happenings on
Facebook for information about planning meetings.
Invite friends and family to get involved also.
MELBOURNE FIRE DEPARTMENT
It has been pretty slow this winter at the Melbourne Fire Department. We continue to have our
meetings the first Wednesday of the month at 7 PM. We also have a training meeting every
month on the Tuesday following our regular monthly business meeting.
At the end of February we sent several members to fire school in Ames.
We would like to introduce our newest member. Jenny Mayer recently joined the department
as a junior firefighter. We recently had 2 members taking the FFII classes but have not heard
how they did on their certification test, yet.
We would like remind everyone we are still collecting bottles and cans for fireworks for the
Fourth of July and Mousehole days. We are running a little short, any additional donations are
welcome. Please leave your bottles and cans in the container at the fire department.
We continue to look for new members; if you are interested in becoming a fire department
member, please come to a meeting or get in touch with a member. (See the
melbourneiowa.com website)
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter we can’t wait to see you at the July 4 th fireworks and our
fish fry in August.
MELBOURNE FIRE DEPARTMENT
MELBOURNE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALES
Melbourne Community Garage sales are scheduled for
Saturday June 6. The United Methodist Women will
sponsor a lunch that day at the church. Maps will be
available at the church that morning. If you are
planning to have a garage sale on that day, please
register with the UMW early, so that your sale will be included on the community
map.
MELBOURNE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The Melbourne United Methodist Church warmly greets you as we
jointly enter the spring season and the beginning of April. In just a
few days, our church will experience its highest point of celebration
in the Christian year with the arrival of Easter Sunday. It was on the events of this
day nearly two thousand years ago that the entire Christian church was
established. We are referring of course to Christ’s resurrection, and we extend an
invitation to you and your family to come spend the sacramental events of this
Christian observance with us. Our services and their times during Holy Week are
as follows:
Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 PM April 2
Easter Morning Service 11:00 AM April 5
Regular Church services at Melbourne United Methodist Church are held on
Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM.
Events planned at MUMC in the immediate future include the sponsorship of the
Melbourne Community Garage sales scheduled for Saturday June 6. The UMW
will sponsor a lunch that day at the church during the community wide sales.
Maps will be prepared ahead of time as done in previous years, so if you are
planning to have a garage sale on that day, please register with the UMW early,
so that your sale will be included on the community map.
A joint Vacation Bible school is being planned this year in conjunction with our
great friends over at St. John UCC. At this time, we are looking at an evening
event tentatively penciled in for July 14-July 17, from 5 to 7 pm. There will likely
be some fine tuning involved with this summer Christian education event, so we
invite you to follow our informational postings closely in the months ahead. The
Vacation Bible School this year will center at the United Methodist Church.
As always, our church welcomes you to come and be a part of our Body of Christ.
We celebrate life here, laugh often, and love God. Please, give us a try!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Request Contact:
Hayley Martin
(P) 724.749.1042
[email protected]
Service Line Protection Available
Melbourne, Iowa – The City of Melbourne is pleased to announce a
partnership with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) to offer the
National League of Cities (NLC) Service Line Warranty Program to
homeowners. The NLC Service Line Warranty Program offers voluntary
warranty protection at an affordable price for water lines in the event of a
failure. (This warranty protection is a separate program from the sewer line
protection previously offered.)
“Homeowners are burdened with many expenses and providing peace of mind in the event of a service line failure
is important since repairs could cost thousands of dollars,” said Mary Pothast, City Clerk. “This program is not only
affordable, but the added convenience factor should be very appealing to busy homeowners.”
The NLC Service Line Warranty Program offers protection against normal wear and tear, which is not covered
under most traditional homeowners policies. If lines break, leak or clog – SLWA will repair the line using local,
licensed contractors who are familiar with local code and can ensure a timely response. This program provides up
to $4,000 in coverage with an additional allowance for public street or sidewalk cutting. Additionally, the program
has no annual or lifetime limits, service fees or deductibles – just protection when you need it most and just what
you would expect from a National League of Cities program.
“Many homeowners believe their pipes will last forever, but that’s simply not the case,” said Pothast. “Many
factors beyond the life expectancy of the pipe can contribute to a failure including tree root intrusion, ground
shifting and weather – all factors which are covered through this program. Additionally, with homeowners more
likely to report problems, we can conserve water in the community.”
This program is offered at no cost to the City and no public funds are used to promote or administer the program.
“We are pleased to partner with Melbourne to offer our service,” said Brad Carmichael, Vice President of Business
Development for SLWA. “SLWA provides first-class customer service with a 24/7 repair line and the use of licensed
and thoroughly researched local contractors – keeping dollars in the local economy.”
For questions about this service, or to enroll, please contact Service Line Warranties of America at 866-922-9006 or
visit www.SLWofA.com.
About Service Line Warranties of America
Headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, SLWA is a leading independent provider of service line warranties in
North America. SLWA is accredited through the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and zero unresolved
complaints. SLWA is the brand used by the Utility Service Partners, Inc. family of companies and endorsed by the
National League of Cities.
About the National League of Cities
The National League of Cities is a national organization dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities,
and serves as a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million
Americans.