Memorial work at standstill as group awaits answers
By Julia Wolf
Work at the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial site is still on hold, as planning committee members heard during a meeting July 15.
Jim Mataczynski, chairperson of the committee, says, by moving the dirt at the site, the elevations were changed.
“No one has ever taken and done actual elevation readings out there,” said Mataczynski.
He says, since dirt was moved, engineers have nothing to go by, except adjacent properties, to determine what the elevations used to be.
“So, that’s what we’ve gotten so far,” said Mataczynski.
Mataczynski says the engineers can take that and move forward on what the elevations need to be, within the government guidelines.
Members passed around a map showing the elevation of different areas of the site.
“We’re a foot, maybe two feet, low,” said Jennifer Steen, committee member.
Planning Committee member Vern Capek asked if there were any rules saying they couldn’t elevate the site.
Brian Guthman, group member, says that would displace water to somewhere else. He says there would need to be a study done to determine where the water would be displaced to, which often comes with a large price tag.
When it comes to the flag poles for the veterans memorial, Mataczynski says he started calling around for bids. He says, from the time they started the flag pole project, until now, the price of aluminum has gone up and the flag pole costs with it.
He says the first place he called is going to send two bids – one for 35-foot flag poles with one 40-foot flag pole for the United States flag, and 30-foot flag poles with a 35-foot pole for the United States flag.
“The reason for pulling those two bids, is because the 35foot pole now, is $2,500,” said Mataczynski, adding that was the original amount requested of the townships in the Lake Holcombe School District, to cover the pole, lighting and a plaque recognizing their contribution.
Mataczynski says the 5-foot difference may make the project fit in the original budget. However, by purchasing multiple poles at once, the companies may also be able to offer the memorial a discount.
Dave Conrad, committee vice chairperson, likes the taller flag poles better. The committee agreed to keep that in mind as they solicit more bids.
Mataczynski says the installation is also not included in the prices he has received so far, which is why he is looking for someone with a 30-inch auger, to dig the holes.
Steen also gave an update on the final touches of planning for a golf tournament fundraiser, set for Saturday, July 24, at Entwood Golf Course. She says the day looks like it is shaping up to be good and says she hopes the event will build year-to-year for the community.
The group also discussed other fundraising ideas to help with the memorial costs.
