Tweaks to avoid flood plain likely needed at memorial

By Julia Wolf

The Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial hit a snag, but the committee is working out a way to overcome the challenge.

Dave Conrad, vice chairperson of the memorial committee, says they were told a portion of the memorial site is likely in a flood plain.

“That was a big issue for us,” said Conrad.

Conrad says learning part of the memorial sits in a flood plain is not a show-stopper, but is something that needs to be addressed.

He says they may need to move the memorial site slightly further north, toward the town road, then continue to work with the county and FEMA to find out the restrictions for the site, and hopefully request a permit so they are able to use the full property.

Conrad also says the committee is looking for someone with engineering skills to look over the CAD drawing and make sure all is well with the blueprint, before work at the site continues.

He says the group’s big goal for the site this year, is to get the ground prepared, and run through a freeze and thaw cycle over winter, so they can start the memorial work in earnest next year.

In the flag pole update, Conrad says six of the eight townships in the Lake Holcombe School District, have agreed to donate a flag pole. Conrad says efforts are underway by private citizens in the Township of Estella, to raise funds for a flag pole, after the town declined the donation. He says the final flag pole was offered to the Holcombe Lions Club for sponsorship.

Other featured items at the memorial will be available for sponsorship in the future.

Conrad says all types of donations have continued to come in, which is a huge deal for the project, and will help make the veterans memorial a reality.