The 2014 North Atlantic hurricane season begins on Sunday and the State of Florida wants to make sure you get prepared. The Hurricane Supplies Sales Tax Holiday begins Saturday, May 31 and runs through Sunday, June 8. During the holiday, qualifying items related to hurricane preparedness are exempt from sales tax.

Some of the specific items in the Sales Tax Holiday include:

• A portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less
• A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio selling for $50 or less
• A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less
• A self-contained first-aid kit selling for $30 or less
• A ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $50 or less
• A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less
• A package of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less
• A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less
• A portable generator that is used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $750 or less

For additional information, please view the complete list of qualifying items.

Residents should plan ahead for an interruption in service for Solid Waste collection on Memorial Day.  There will be no residential garbage or recycling collection service on Monday, May, 26.  Regular service will resume on our next scheduled collection day.

• Garbage Pick up: Monday & Thursday
• Recycling Pick up: Monday
• Yard Waste Pick up: Thursday

Other Important Reminders:

• Three-Foot Rule – At the curb, place the carts at least 3 feet away from other carts, mailboxes, cars, trees, shrubs, fire hydrants and utility poles.
• Everything Must Fit Inside The Carts – Items left outside the carts cannot be picked up by the mechanical arm on a collection vehicle and will not be picked up.
• Garbage, recyclables, and yard waste should be placed out no later than 6:00 AM on  collection days.  Containers are required to be kept out of sight on non-collection days.

For additional information please visit our Garbage & Recycling page.

A small alligator has been seen in and around the retention pond near the Eastwyck Dr cul-de-sac.  According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the mere presence of a small alligator is not cause for concern as long as alligators do not become a nuisance.  An alligator may be considered a nuisance if it is at least 4 feet in length and is believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property. Alligators less than 4 feet in length are not large enough to be dangerous unless handled. Occasionally, alligators less than 4 feet in length are legitimate problems and must be addressed.

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The widening of Cross Creek Boulevard began this week.  This project provides for widening of Cross Creek Boulevard from a 2-lane undivided roadway to a 4-lane divided roadway with 5 foot paved shoulders, including a 6 foot sidewalk and 12 foot multi-purpose trail to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.  The the project begins at Cory Lake Drive and ends at Morris Bridge Road.  The $5.4 million project is scheduled to be completed in October, 2015.

Whether you’re wide awake or fast asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly scanning the air. It never sleeps. A smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It’s plain and simple…Smoke alarms save lives. But, they have to be installed the right way, and be working!

Types of Smoke Alarms

The two types of smoke alarms are:

1. Ionization
2. Photoelectric

You need both – because they detect differently – smoke, or flames, and you never know what type of fire might start.

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends every home have:

a) Both Ionization AND Photoelectric smoke alarms, OR
b) Dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both Ionization and Photoelectric smoke sensors

Where to Install Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully. If you’re installing hardwired smoke alarms, have a qualified electrician do the installation.

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