City Bridges Masthead
News & Information from the City of Albany, Oregon
December 2013
Visit Albany City Hall during Open House
December 2

The City of Albany will host an open house at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2013.  Albany residents are invited and encouraged to attend to learn about City programs and services and talk with elected officials and City staff.

 

City Manager Wes Hare said the event is an opportunity for Albany residents to meet informally with members of the City Council and those who serve on the City's advisory boards and commissions. Visitors can see demonstrations and displays and talk with staff to learn more about what happens every day at the Library, the water and wastewater treatment plants, Fire Department, Police Department, in building inspection, land-use planning, Municipal Court, at Albany Municipal Airport, on City buses, and how City finances are managed.

 

Light refreshments will be provided. Melanie and Suzanne, a local flute and harp ensemble, will provide music for the occasion. 

Street Sweeping Schedule
2014
View map, schedule and more Information


Police seek volunteers for security, safety inspection program

 

Safe and Secure Seniors Independent is a free home security and fire safety inspection program for residents 55 years and older in Albany.  The program's purpose is to help independent citizens maintain safe and secure homes.  It is a program made of volunteers and Albany Police Department members who are trained to perform security inspections, inspection for fire hazards, install security hardware such as dead bolt locks and door view holes, and assist residents with resource information.

 

The program is currently looking for volunteers who would like to spend 1-3 hours a month installing dead bolt locks, view holes, and sliding door pins; and those who are comfortable working with community members, inspecting homes and completing detailed paperwork. 

 

Interested volunteers can apply by contacting Community Education Specialist Sandy Roberts at 541-917-3206 or sandy.roberts@cityofalbany.net.  The application process includes a background investigation.  Formal training follows before volunteers begin doing inspections and installations.

 

"SASSI is an invaluable tool to assist vulnerable seniors and give security to members of our community," Roberts said.  "I look forward hearing from you and working with you."

Outdoor yard debris burning ends December 15

 

Albany residents who intend to burn yard debris from fall cleanup projects must do so by December 15, the last day for outdoor burning until next spring.  Before igniting a pile, call the Daily Open Burning Information Line (541-451-1904) after 8:30 a.m. to find out if it is an approved day to burn and what time the fire must be out and keep a safe method to extinguish the fire readily available. 

Freeze grease and save your drains

 

Grease from cooking, gravy, cooking oil, and sauces may look harmless as a liquid; but when it cools, it gets thick and sticky.  Grease poured down a drain sticks to pipes and eventually causes clogs and messy sewer overflows.

 

Get rid of grease properly:

  • Scrape food scraps into the trash or compost bin.
  • Or, catch food scraps and other solids with a strainer in the sink drain and empty the strainer into the trash or compost bin.
  • Pour grease into steel cans, cover with a "Freeze the Grease" lid, put cans in the freezer to harden then throw them in the trash.
  • Wipe pots, pans, and dishes with dry paper towels before rinsing or washing them, then throw paper towels in the garbage.
  • Rinse dishes and pans with cold water before putting them in the dishwasher.

Don't:

  • Pour grease down sink drains or toilets.
  • Use cloth towels or rags to scrape oil or grease off plates and utensils because grease will drain to the sewer when the towels are washed.
  • Run water over dishes, pans, fryers, or griddles to wash oil and grease down the drain.

For more information or to get a free Freeze the Grease lid or liner, call City of Albany Industrial Pretreatment Program, 541-497-6222.

Fire stations make improvements to prevent water leaks

 

In June, City Bridges reported that Albany's downtown fire station had been repainted in an attempt to seal it against water leaks.  Fire Station 14 in North Albany got a similar makeover in August.  Station 14, 2850 Gibson Hill Road NW, opened in the fall of 1998 and had been plagued with leaking masonry walls for several years, causing mold, mildew, and structural damage.  The 15-year-old structure will get a new roof next spring to provide additional protection.

 

Quality Painting of Oregon painted Fire Station 14 for $13,000.

 

Fire Station 13, 1980 Three Lakes Road SE, also new in 1998, got a new roof in 2012 and will get new exterior paint in the future to prevent further water leaks there.

 

For more information about Albany Fire Department, call 541-917-7700. 

General Information
541-917-7500
 
Mayor
541-791-0300

Ward I Councilors
541-926-7348
541-928-2961

Ward II Councilors
541-928-0649

541-917-0490

 

Ward III Councilors
541-791-2494

541-791-0158

 

City Manager 
541-917-7505

Keep your home  
holiday fire-safe

 

Holiday trees:  If natural trees are part of your holiday traditions, be sure to keep them watered.  Indoor holiday trees account for hundreds of fires every year.  Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters, or matches start tree fires.  Well-watered trees are not a problem; a dry, neglected tree can be.

 

Selecting a tree:  Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches and should not break.  The trunk should be sticky to the touch.  Bounce the tree trunk on the ground; if a lot of needles fall off, the tree may have been cut long ago and could be a fire hazard.

 

Caring for a tree:  Do not place a tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. Heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame, or sparks.  Do not put up a natural tree too early or leave it up longer than two weeks.  Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

 

Disposing of the tree:  Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.  When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.  Republic Services will pick up bare unflocked trees at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on customers' regular garbage collection day December 26, 2013-January 11, 2014.

 

Holiday lights:  Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.  Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.  Old and/or burned out holiday lights can be recycled in the lobby at Republic Services' Albany office, 1214 Montgomery Street SE, Monday-Friday, December 2, 2013-January 11, 2014.

 

Do not overload electrical outlets:  Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe.  Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.  Make sure to periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.  Do not leave holiday lights on unattended.

 

Holiday decorations:  Use only nonflammable or flame-retardant decorations and keep them away from heat vents.  Metallic or artificial trees should be flame retardant.

 

Don't block exits:  Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block exit ways.  In the event of a fire, time is critical; and a blocked exit puts you and your family at risk.

 

Never put wrapping paper in the fireplace:  Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.
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