Outdoor emergency sirens inside Elgin have a long history of not working as they should.
The Elgin City Council last week took another step to resolve that issue.
The siren system sometimes works and sometimes not. Sometimes the sirens sound and continues nonstop until manually shut off.
In the last couple of months, the council has looked at acquiring a new siren system. They’ve received a quote from Blue Valley Public Safety to install a new system for just over $65,000 which was approved.
The City will look into removing the old pole near PJCC as opposed to having an outside firm do the work which will save several thousand dollars.
On another matter of concern for all Elgin residents, the city will look into current trash rates. They will be exploring what other towns charge, then discuss the matter at next month’s meeting.
In other action:
Burn hole — It cost the city about $2,000 every two years for a burn hole to be dug and to burn trees hauled to the city dump. That number breaks down to 26 cents per dumpster per month to cover costs.
That and other costs led to the council bumping the trash cost up from $20 per month to $22 per month. The fee also covers the cost of dumpsters for community cleanup day. Last April the city paid $1,800 for the large dumpsters to haul away unwanted items.
