NEWS
Homeowners urged to call 811 before you dig
With many areas of Texas under local stay-at-home orders because of COVID-19 concerns, homeowners may have extra time on their hands to get their back yards ready for the summer or for other landscaping projects.
But residents shouldn’t forget an important safety reminder before digging. They need to call 811 if digging deeper than 16 inches, in order to know where underground pipelines and utility lines are located.
It’s the law. Homeowners, excavators and contractors are required to call 811 at least two days prior to digging. A caller can tell the operator the location of the dig, and affected pipeline and utility companies in the area will send locators to the dig site to mark the approximate location of buried lines with flags or paint.
The call helps prevent injuries, pipeline damage, and unnecessary gas, water, or Internet outages in neighborhoods. Homeowners could also be liable for potential fines and costly repairs for striking and breaking an underground utility line.
In the current COVID-19 situation Texas 811 continues to provide the same level of critical public safety service as before. The call to 811 is free and invaluable to you, your family and neighbors. Homeowners also can file an online request on the Texas 811 website at https://txhop.texas811.org/.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
A public hearing has been scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on May 28 for the Montague County Commissioner’s Court to present the updated subdivision regulations that have been in the works for several months.
That date was set during Monday’s court session, where a development officer also was named and a state-required notice was approved. The 89-page draft of the subdivision regulations are available on the county website co.montague.tx.us/page/montague.home.
It was August 2019 when the regulations were adopted by the commissioners after much debate among water well drillers, groundwater district staff and directors, realtors and land developers.
During those original discussions water issues lead the way as many counties especially around heavily populated urban areas are experiencing water shortages and possible contamination due to an inadequate number of houses and wells or even the use of a public water system in the rural areas.
Charley Lanier, who has been working as a grant officer for the county, was named to be the subdivision development officer. After a brief 10-minute executive session, the court named Lanier who they said would be the “initial contact” for all developers who will accept all paperwork and plats.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
City of Bowie water and street crews repair a broken water line in the area of Walnut and Smythe last week, along with repairing a large pot hole in the same area. (Photo by Barbara Green)
Bowie Intermediate School students, staff and families enjoyed a “STAAR” Party on April 18 celebrating the hard work of all preparing for STAAR testing as well as other year’s successes. There were about 200 students and parents attending to enjoy the activities that included telescopes provided through the 3Rivers Foundation. It was a clear night perfect for star gazing, there also was an outdoor movie and other activities. (BIS courtesy photos)
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