Candidate filing underway for FWSD elections

Residents have the opportunity to serve their community in an official capacity by filing to run for a board seat on one of Lantana’s two Fresh Water Supply Districts.

Denton County Fresh Water Supply District #6 and #7 board elections are held every two years and director’s terms are four years in length.  Each district has a five member board that consists of property owners from within that district.

There are three board seats up for election this May in both districts.

The seats in District #6 are occupied by first term board members Ross Ferguson, Jim VanVickle, and Adrian Weaver, who were elected in 2008. 

In District #7, Charles Lee, John Rausch, and Alex Teusink’s terms are up this May.  Rausch was appointed in 2007 after a board member passed away, Teusink was appointed in 2008 to replace a board member that had relocated out of state and Lee has served on the district's board since its inception in 2000.

The boards work with district staff to make key decisions regarding operations, including overseeing utility rates, building and maintaining roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure, issuing and paying off bonds, and setting the property tax rate.

To find out what district you live in, check your water bill, visit www.lantanatx.org or call 940-728-5050.

The last day to file for a place on the ballot is March 5. For further information and filing forms, contact Richard Harned at 940-728-5050. 

Election Day is May 12, with early voting starting April 30.

Road repairs to commence

Expect lane closures along Lantana Trail starting next week as road crews make concrete repairs to the road surface.

Crews will also correct pavement failures on Bayberry Drive in Bandera, according to Kevin Mercer, Lantana General Manager.

Board members approved a low bid of $72,850 from Southwest Construction Services to make the repairs at their February meeting.

The project is expected to take about 8 to 10 weeks and wrap up by the first week of May.

Water restrictions likely this spring

Fresh Water District board members were briefed at their February meeting on changes to the Drought Contingency Plan that included the addition of a 10 percent surcharge for excessive water use when the community is under mandatory water conservation restrictions.

The Upper Trinity Regional Water District that provides Lantana's municipal water is expected to activate Stage 2 of their Drought Contingency Plan on March 1st, which will limit landscape watering to no more than twice per week.

HOA eyes improvements

Some of Lantana's amenities will get spiffed up this spring, thanks to long-range planning by the Lantana Community Association.

The HOA updated their reserve study in 2010 to ensure proper funding for replacement of common elements as they age, according to Bruce Crawford, Lantana Community Manager.  Each year, the Association inspects all of the amenities and evaluates what needs updating.

"The Association will continue to work on projects throughout the community, including replacement of the cardio equipment in the South Community Center and replacing the pool furniture at the Sandlin and Larkspur pools,” said Crawford.

Other improvements under consideration are a new sundeck coating at the North pool, new paint and carpeting in the South gym, resurfacing the South pool spray park, replacing wind screens at the tennis courts and resurfacing the courts.

All of the work has to be done prior to May 1 before the pools open, Crawford said.

“We were able to complete several projects last year, including replacement of the cardio equipment and new flooring in the gym at the North Community Center, and replacing the plaster in the Sandlin and Larkspur pools.”

A copy of the HOA’s 2012 budget and narrative is available on www.lantanalive.com under the Resource Center tab.

Residents can call the Association’s office at 940-728-1660 with questions and concerns.

Scouts plan food drive

Lantana's Cub Scout Pack 802 and Boy Scout Troop 99 will hold their 3rd Annual Lantana Gives Back canned food drive on Sunday, Feb. 19.

The public can donate at one of two drop off locations in the community that day. Scouts will accept donations at the North and South Community Centers from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

"Last year our community raised over 3,000 pounds of food for Nelson's Children's Home in Denton and completely packed their kitchen.  This year we will be giving our donations to Christian Community Action in Lewisville," said Cubmaster Daren Linnabary.

Visit www.lantanacubscouts.com for more information.

Earth Day event planned

The two Fresh Water Districts, spearheaded by District #6 board member Jim VanVickle, are organizing an Earth Day event on Sunday, April 22, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the North Community Center.

Activities will include a household hazardous waste disposal, bulk trash drop off, green living demonstrations and tree giveaway by Gold Landscaping.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the event.  Call 940-728-5050 for more information.

Development Watch

Lantana had 2,493 occupied homes as of Feb. 3, with an estimated population of 8,102.