Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette MARCH 2020

Greetings Graton - Wishing you moments to enjoy the process of the turning seasons, time with your loved ones and the sun on your face. May you find peace of mind and confidence.
UPDATE on Graton Community Services
KEEP GRATON CLEAN - You may have noticed the new trash can by the newsstands in front of Willowood Market and Bowman Cellars. This was placed here by the Gazette in an attempt to keep trash out of their newsstand.
By Jose Ortiz, General Manager GCSD.
Every time Aaron, our delivery person, came to clean and restock the rack, he had to remove trash. Vesta decided to donate a trash can, hoping Graton would come together to empty it periodically in order to keep downtown clean.
District Occidental Wastewater Transport & Treatment Project
This is OUR town and OUR responsibility, so anyone who has room in their bin or dumpster, please empty this trash can when you see it full, and replace the trash bag. Be responsible for your own recycling, please!
While this project is an opportunity to raise revenues for GCSD, thereby forestalling the need to raise sewer service rates, it has been a hard-sell trying to convince potential neighbors to accept a receiving station near their homes.
Our downtown does NOT have trash service. We need to do this ourselves!
Cost reductions to Occidental County Sanitation District (Occidental) from a shorter distance of transporting their wastewater for treatment in addition to a reduction in global warming gases, air pollution, and truck traffic apparently do not offset the perceived risks.
Well That Was Fun - Graton Talent Show Is a Hit - If you missed it, you definitely missed out. The Graton Talent Show was filled with a variety
of entertainers and talent. James Quintan, was a spirited and seamless MC! A big round of applause to Stephanie Elliot, Trinity Ava and Halley Piper for organizing the event. They were supported by Alexis and Aaron while Walt rocked the vacuum cleaner. Thank you to Chris Riebli for bringing the sound system and a big thank you to the Hubbub Club Marching Band who filled the neighborhood with the happy sound of their music!
About one year ago, after not reaching an agreement with the owners of a commercial location, we entered into an agreement with another property owner to exercise an option to purchase an easement subject to the project being approved by GCSD. The District contracted with a local engineering firm to complete preliminary engineering design services in support of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reviews for the project.
While there was so much talent that day, I want to wish Michela Comfort good luck because she recently auditioned for America’s Got Talent and will learn the results in March. GOOD LUCK MICHELA, you sing beautifully! Michela, is a student at Hill Crest and is 13 years old. Don’t be surprised if you hear her on the radio some day!
The consultant prepared an Administrative Draft Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for circulation and a 30-day public review period beginning November 6, 2019.
Shop Local and Support Re-Use/Re-Purpose - I was recently contacted by Susan Rockwell who asked that I share with the community about the robust flea market on Sundays at the Veterans Building in Santa Rosa, now approaching its 10th year. Susan writes that “We’d like to see more folks from the farther regions of Sonoma County who may not be aware of our venue.
Food and juice vendors, ample free parking, usually 100+ vendors and - yay! - indoor bathrooms. Merchandise covers the spectrum from very nice to cool to crafts to nothing-to-see-here. If you wish to participate and clear the shed or garage, contact Jacqui at mojosales@hotmail.com. Hours are sun-up to 3. Bring your smiling selves and pay homage to recycling it all” I have never gone before but I am now! Sounds interesting!!
Friday & Saturday, April 24th and 25th 9:00 am – 4:00 pm 8996 Graton Road Downtown Graton 707-829-5314 Www.gratoncommunityclub.com.
Its spring and Graton Community Club brings you a wonderful combination of art and flowers. The main hall will feature objects of art mirrored by unique flower arrangements. The garden area is selling hundreds of wonderful vegetable starts, flowers, succulents, perennials, and drought tolerant plants. Also, available are handmade novelties and fabulous quilts, recycled treasure and a raffle from local businesses and artists. A $12 lunch, with homemade dessert, is served both days from 11 am-2:00 pm both days. Live local music all day. This event benefits a scholarship program for local JC students moving on to a four-year school.
Please Vote Yes On Prop 13 - Californians for Safe Schools and Healthy Learning. Our schools needs this!
Please let me know if there is something that you would like me to know or write about. You can reach me butlersjennifer@gmail.com
Despite strong opposition to the project, in our draft response to public comments we described how potential impacts can be reduced to a level less than significant. As with any project, there have been some delays that GCSD did not anticipate.
Graton Community Club Spring Flower Show and Plant Sale
The District received public comments from nearby residents and from various government agencies. The concerns centered around five areas, public noticing, traffic and roadway safety, potential for spills and odors, air quality emissions, and noise.
Also, the estimated construction cost and further delays to obtain local agency approvals have led to the District abandoning the second site. That leaves us with one last attempt to find a location in which to construct
the receiving station. If the remaining alternatives are not feasible, the Occidental Wastewater Transport and Treatment Project is effectively dead.
In the next month we will complete our evaluation of the alternative sites. If one location in particular works out, we anticipate that even with these delays operations could begin in the Spring of 2021.
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