CITY CORNER by Mayor Brent Hinckley

     With the rain that fell last weekend and the wonderful weather we are having this week, the wildflowers and green tree leaves are even more spring-like this week.  The visitors to Mason are thrilled with the fields and roadsides full of wildflowers, and I hope that each of you have taken some time to drive around the County and see how beautifully the Master Artist has colored our landscape.  As my B&B guests are constantly saying, “Mason is a little slice of paradise” and we who live here should not forget to take some time to enjoy the blessings we share every day.  With this special time of year and with Easter next Sunday, the City offices and all of our regular services will be closed at the end of this week for Good Friday.  I hope that you have a very blessed Holy Week and get to spend some extra time with family and friends during this springtime as we enjoy the wonderful weather and beautiful outdoors. 

     The City crews continue to work on the drainage improvements on Spring St, so if you drive in that area watch for the closed road and workers in the area.  We will finish this stage of the work as soon as possible, and put a final paving surface on that entire street when our contractors can get here this summer.  There are a few other areas in town that will be top-coated when the pavers are in town, and we will let you know where and when as soon as scheduling can be arranged.  We are also expecting to be moving forward on the water treatment project in the coming weeks since the approval was given for the major equipment at the City Commission meeting this past Monday.  That will result in some work being done on the south side of town in the next months, and again as plans are completed and contracts approved we will let you know when and what to expect in that area.

      We are also moving forward with plans for the new landfill, and anticipate construction on the entrance roadway and highway access on Hwy 29 to the east of town in the near future.  Next week’s paper should contain an announcement about the final comment period for the permit, and barring any local concerns we will have the approvals and permits completed in the next month or so.  There will be several months of construction at the new site to prepare for full use, but it seems we are on schedule to have the new landfill ready at the right time to shift over as the old one is finally full.  With both the landfill and water treatment projects being multi-year challenges of planning, design and construction, with some extra changes and complications along the way, it is encouraging to see them moving forward and we anticipate significant construction work during the remainder of this year.  We continue to improve different areas and parts of our community, and working together we will continue to make Mason the best hometown in Texas.