Trenton Park Board Discusses Budget

The City of Trenton Park Board met on Wednesday, April 5 at 5:15 p.m. with President Curtis Crawford presiding. The minutes from the March 1 meeting were read and approved.

The Board was presented with the 2023-2024 Park Budget that included all the projects presented which included projects at the Rock Barn, Moberly Park, Gladys Grimes Park, Van Meter, and Eastside Park.

The total revenues were listed at $544,900 with total expenditures at $647,676.80, with a total estimated deficit of $49,199.31. The current budget was about $45,000 under on projected expenses as of February, and revenues looked better than expected. The Park and Pool Revenues include $360,000 from sales tax revenue, $95,000 in ad valorm taxes, $54,000 in pool receipts, $11,000 in pool concession, $12,000 in ball park concessions, and the rest of the revenues listed from fees, rent, interest and miscellaneous income.

Expenses included $289,121.80 from the pool side, which does include the Trenton Aquatic Center pool payment of $142,381.80. This will be paid off in 2027. On the Park side, the largest expenses included labor at $90,000, which was an increase of $10,000 from the previous year and parttime wages of $22,000. Also factored in was projects, which included replacement of Rock Barn fencing separating township/grandstand; Moberly Park - dugout repair, white fencing inside the Aquatic Center, stump grinding and removing current tennis court; Shop building to include a dump truck, sidewalk in front of shop, sealing roof and spray foam new addition and a grapple bucket for the

Bobcat; Gladys Grimes Park needs the retaining wall east of playground; Burleigh Grimes - bathroom stalls; Van Metersign and dugout repair to include replacing boards and staining; and Eastside Park - the walking trail asphalt and pickleball nets for a grand total of $92,814. Over-time, FICA, LAGERS, workman’s compensation, and health insurance will total $35,823, which reflects an increase of $4,090 from last year. The budget was approved as presented. The new budget was to go into effect on May 1, 2023.

David Shockley made a recommendation to the board for the purchase of a dump trailer. He said it would be more versatile to use with staff as it doesn’t require a CDL license to use. It would be a goose neck trailer with a gross weight of 20,000 lbs. It would benefit moving equipment alone. He requested to push through finding the money in this year’s budget to lower the deficit on next year’s budget. The board approved the recommendation and request.

Andy Cox presented the Board with what the pool committee had discussed regarding the wages and cost of the Aquatic Center for the coming season. Although what they have proposed doesn’t get to minimum wage, it is closer and it is still cheaper than other area pools. The manager would be paid a 75 cent increase from last year and will be paid $14.25, the assistant managers $12.50, lifeguards would start at $10.50 plus 25 cents for each year they return, and the concession staff would all be $9.75 per hour. The same reimbursement for lifeguard certification would be $75.00 for each year with a total of $150.00. The daily rates would be for ages 3-64 at $7.00 ($2 increase in cost and ten-year increase in age), 65 and over at $4.00 ($1.50 increase), $1.00 for nonswimmers and two and under would be free, which were the same as last year. Season passes would cost $120 for single ($10 increase), $235 for family of 4 including sitter ($10 increase), $30 for Senior’s and Lap swimmers ($5 increase), and a pool party will cost $270.00.

Cox stated the increase in cost was needed for the increase in wages. He also stated that the pool changed in policy on closing and will stay open two hours and if at that time there were less than 20 swimmers it would close as the park department did receive some complaints regarding the pool closing early last year. The inclement weather closing will remain the same, along with the water temperature. The budget that was submitted did include the increased wages. The board approved the pay and cost increases as presented.

Gary Schuett reported that he has had a volunteer helping at Sesquicentennial Park and will be coming back in a few weeks. He also reported the cameras in parks have been installed and it sends instant information to cell phones day and night. Donations for rewards for information regarding vandalism are still being accepted at Green Hills Rural Development, who is holding money. Park President Curtis Crawford said that he had received a call about graffiti at Ray Van Meter and it was immediately cleaned up.

John Hamilton reported that the Rock Barn sign is ready for Greg Sharp to start installing in the next couple days. John wanted to thank the community for looking out and report- ing things.

Park Superintendent David Shockley submitted a written report and briefly reviewed several items which included the mowing of all the parks every week, dumping trash cans three times a week, mopping and cleaning the Rock Barn, upper Moberly Shelter House, and scheduling, handling payments and keys for the Rock Barn and Shelter house rentals. Green Hills Recreation Association begins practice this week and they have prepared the infields for practices and set out bases. They have started mowing and fertilizing. They also did some top dressing of the infield at Griffin Field due to the gradual deterioration of the current material and plan on doing this to Johnson Field sometime later this spring.

They continue with leaf cleanup in fences and around parks. The Press Box at Griffin Field has been completed and the college has been able to use it for two home games so far.

The mower sold on Purple wave for $4,300 and has been picked up by the buyer and the dump truck sold for $5,500 and should be picked up next week. The two new mowers have been delivered to the shop along with spare blades and have been used twice already.

NCMC softball will be hosting a region tournament at the beginning of May, and the Trenton High School baseball team will be hosting Districts this year also at the beginning of May.

David Shockley wanted to extend a thank you to Rissler Elementary Terrific Kids that visited Eastside and Moberly Park and helped with trash clean-up. They did a great job.

Deaths

Angela L. Jones

Angela L. Jones, 64, residing in Leisure Lake, Trenton, went home to the Lord on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Angela was born August 12, 1958, in Seattle, WA to parents Frank Jones and Elizabeth Hallenbeck. She was the oldest of five children, survived by siblings Tammy, Cindy, Toni, one brother Franky, her daughter, Jeanie and son-in-law, Isaac. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Clifford.

Angela was employed as a Certified Medical Assistant with Sunnyview Nursing Home in Trenton for over eight years. Before moving to Trenton with

Earlene Marie Trump

Lamme, 89, of Maryville, passed away on May 2, 2023. Earlene was born on July 25, 1933, in Trenton, to John and Elva Lyons Trump.

Earlene was married to her high school sweetheart, John Robert, for 63 years until his death in 2014. Earlene was the secretary for Lamme Well Drilling, an avid walker, and a member of the Bowling Belles for over 50 years.

Earlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister and brotherin-law, Patsy and Robert Muff.

Earlene is survived by her son, Dennis (Jeanmarie) Lamme of Toms River, NJ; her daughter, Lynda (Clay) Hollingsworth of Maitland; grandchildren, Kelly, Jake, Krissy, Amanda, Kaylie, Michael, Dallas and Dennis Jr.; and 13 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include siblings Vernon (Beverly) Trump of Trenton, Jerry (Deanna) Trump of Branson family, she worked for over a decade in the Food Service Production Center for the Wichita USD 259 school district. and Sharon Roath of Kansas City; brother-in-law Steve Roath of Independence; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at Resthaven Mortuary in Trenton at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 5 with visitation held one hour prior to service. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Heart Association.

Angela had a passion and talent for singing and was gifted with a beautiful voice. She had a bubbly, loving spirit and spread her bright and joyful personality to all those around her. She was a dedicated mother, loving sister and aunt, and an extremely hard worker with an infectious smile. She had a selfless nature and loved spending time with family. She will be incredibly missed, and it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of her life.

Online condolences may be left at www.resthavenmort.com