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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter July 2015©City of Georgetown, 2015 VOL.12• NO.7 A Publication of the City of Georgetown July 2015 Fire Department Expands EMS The Georgetown Fire Department is set to become the primary Emergency Medical Services provider in Georgetown and in Emergency Services District 8 on October 1. The move to fire depart- ment-based EMS follows a unani- mous vote by the City Council in March. The Fire Department hired 12 para- medics in February, including those with experience in other cities. By October 1, the Fire Department plans to have 32 paramedics on staff. The department also will deploy four Transitional Response Vehicles for medical transport. These dual- purpose vehicles carry equipment for fire and rescue response as well as medical equipment for treatment and transport of patients. In addi- tion, Georgetown will transition its fire engines to be advanced life sup- port vehicles. The shift also means that the City of Georgetown 911 center will handle all emergency dispatch for fire, police, and EMS in the Georgetown area, reducing call transfer delays and improving operational efficiency. Changes for EMS in Georgetown are the result of two years of discus- sions between the City and Williamson County. “As we do every day, we will continue to work coop- eratively with Williamson County,” says Georgetown Fire Chief John Sullivan. “For fire or medical calls to 911 in the Georgetown area, 75 percent are medical. This transition makes sense in providing the best emergency care for our residents.” Georgetown Fire Department firefighter/paramedics who will be responding to 911 calls include (left to right) Jared Smith, Caleb Longino, and Cody Conway. David Morgan started as city man- ager for the City of Georgetown on May 4. The City’s top administrator was selected by the City Council in a unani- mous vote in March. “David is an accom- plished professional and dynamic leader who will embrace the community and pro- vide a strong vision as we continue to grow,” said Mayor Dale Ross. Morgan was chosen for the position following an extensive national search with 71 appli- cants from 25 states. Morgan has more than 19 years of local government experi- ence including most recently as deputy city manager for Richardson, Texas. Morgan received a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Austin College and a master’s degree in public administration from Texas Tech University. David Morgan Starts as City Manager David Morgan An annual report for the City of Georgetown 2013 – 2014 fiscal year is now available online and in print copies. The report, titled Shaping Our Future, highlights projects, initiatives, and financial informa- tion for the fiscal year that started on October 1, 2013 and ended on September 30, 2014. The City Annual Report Independence Day Holiday City offices closed on Friday, July 3 in obser- vance of the holiday. There will be regular solid waste and recycling collection on July 3. report is available online at files.georgetown.org/annualreport. Free printed copies are available at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street. The Convention and Visitors Bureau Board is accepting applications for Hotel Occupancy Tax grants for events occurring between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2015. Grants are awarded to arts, HOT Grant Applications cultural, and sporting events that bring overnight guests to Georgetown hotels or bed and breakfast inns. For an application, go to files.georgetown.org/hot- funds-reimbursement-grant-applica- tion. Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org July Events Farmers Markets Sun City Market, Tuesdays 9 a.m. to Noon, 2 Texas Drive at Social Center Georgetown Market, Thursdays 3:30 - 6:30 p.m., Church of Christ, 1525 W. University Ave. Details at www.gtfma.org The Palace Theater Hank Williams: Lost Highway, July 17 – Aug. 16 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com, or call (512) 869-7469. First Friday, July 3 Downtown live music, shops, and restaurants are open late. See the Downtown Georgetown Association website at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Sertoma July 4 Celebration The annual Independence Day July 4 celebration sponsored by the Georgetown Sertoma Club in San Gabriel Park is on Saturday. Children’s parade with bikes and wagons starts at 11 a.m. by the low-water crossing. Entertainment at the gazebo starts at noon and lasts until the fireworks begin after dark. Visit craft vendors, a children’s area, and food vendors. Admission is free. Market Days, July 11 Handmade arts and crafts, food, and more on the Square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Movies in the Park, July 16 Parks and Recreation will be showing the movie Paddington (PG) starting at 8:45 p.m. This free family event is at the gazebo in San Gabriel Park. Georgetown Public Library For the seventh time since 2009, the City’s Fleet Services shop was awarded the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence. Georgetown is one of only 11 municipal vehicle shops in the state that are currently recognized. The ASE Blue Seal of Excellence program recognizes the competence of the City’s auto repair shop techni- cians who service more than 500 vehicles and pieces of equipment and hold a total of 97 professional certifi- cations. ASE certifications are third- party assessments of technicians based on their knowledge and skills. Summer Reading Programs The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Communications Department, P.O. Box 409, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. For questions or comments, contact Keith Hutchinson, public communications manager, at (512) 930-3690 or by email at keith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. The Summer Reading Program for children—Every Hero Has a Story— continues at Georgetown Public Library. July’s events include a Martial Arts Demonstration for kids (ages 0 -12), Superhero Training for Tweens (ages 9 -12), and an Art Party for teens (ages 12 - 18). Pick up a Summer Reading calendar at the children’s desk or see details online at library.georgetown.org. Children logging reading hours or number of books read earn chances to win an iPad Mini. Fleet Services ASE Blue Seal of Excellence The City’s Fleet Services shop cur- rently has five ASE master techni- cians on staff, including two master fire apparatus technicians. The shop services a wide variety of vehicles including police patrol cars, fire trucks, electric bucket trucks, front- end loaders, and specialized utility equipment. Music on the Square continues on Friday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a camp chair for these free concerts on the Courthouse lawn. Here’s the July lineup: July 3 – Ricky and Darrell Boen playing classic country July 10 – Ken, Chris, and Karen playing John Denver favorites July 17 – Escape Band playing classic rock July 24 – Bill Harris playing Neil Diamond favorites July 31 – Cactus Groove Jazz Trio Concerts are sponsored by the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau, Williamson Museum, and the Downtown Georgetown Association. Fleet Services employees are (left to right) Justin Reynolds, Alan Brack, Nathan Mokry, Karen Albitz, Denny Herrin, Tait Sugimura, Stan Hohman, and Tommy Braun. Summer Concerts Music on the Square Fireworks Prohibited The Georgetown Fire Department reminds residents that City of Georgetown ordinances prohibit the use of fireworks in the city limits of Georgetown or within 5,000 feet of city limits. Use of fireworks could result in fines of up to $2,000. Areas within 5,000 feet of the city limits include, but are not limited to, the neighborhoods of Cedar Hollow, Crystal Knoll, Escalera, Fountainwood, Indian Creek, Logan Ranch Road, Lost Rivers, Oak Crest, Olde Oak Estates, Serenada, Shady Oaks, Turtle Bend, Woodland Park, and areas along D.B Wood Road. To see a map of the area where fire- works are prohibited, go to files.georgetown.org/fireworks-ban- map. To report the unauthorized use of fireworks in the city limits, call the Georgetown Police Department at (512) 930-3510.