Day: library

  • Open and successful exchange in autumn

    Open and successful exchange in autumn

    An open Group meeting was held today, to which all interested citizens were invited. The aim of the meeting was to provide transparent information on current topics from the municipal bodies, to prepare for the upcoming municipal council meeting and to take suggestions from the citizens.

    News from the committees

    We looked at the last Council meeting in mid-June back. On some open issues, including drainage (parallel to Dr. Domarus-Straße) – there is currently no new state of play. We ask the administration and hope for an answer in the Construction Committee on 12 November or in Municipal Council on 19 November – no agenda has yet been published for both meetings.

    In the open group meeting, the committees' topics were also raised: The Culture Committee deals with important dates, including fair planning, citizens' breakfast and Youth Day. We continue to collect suggestions from the citizenry to improve processes at events. For example, there are suggestions for improvement for the senior afternoon, such as organization and the selection of drinks.

    Other points from our public meeting:

    • We suggest a suitable location for the book phone booth. The idea of designing the telephone booth by young people (We reported) is to be implemented.
    • The use of communal spaces and locking systems has been criticised. We're going after it.
    • The opening of the library took place, which we found very successful. We commend the library team very much.

    Preparing for the next council meeting

    We have already collected and prepared topics for the upcoming Council meeting, including:

    • Industrial area: Potential analysis and file inspection in existing reports. The Central and Financial Committee has granted a new opinion as an investment in the budget.
    • Information from citizens on the critical traffic situation – here the intersection of cycle paths: In the context of road safety, we call on the administration to arrange for the road construction load carrier (probably state-owned mobility company here) to examine measures.

    General information from the place

    In conclusion, current developments in the municipality were summarized:

    • The primary school in Dernbach will be expanded to ensure a full-day offer.
    • A new siren was installed at the end of the road ‘Im Wehrholz’.
    • The no-hold zones around the Raiffeisen-Gymnasium are still not sufficiently complied with. We ask the administration if and what measures are foreseen.
    • The joints of the village well were repaired with synthetic resin.
    • Several sacked places in the local area – including Kirchvor- and Rathausplatz – have to be repaired.
    • The expansion of the fiberglass work continues to be unreliable, a decrease in the work is still pending, as a representative reported.

    Finally, citizens were invited to contribute their ideas for village development. The exchange clearly demonstrated the importance to many of strengthening community life, better coordination of events and open dialogue within the community.

    Together for Dernbach plans to maintain public group meetings at intervals of about three months. We hope to be able to continue to use the Council Hall for this purpose, for which we have worked very hard. We will announce the dates for 2026 here as soon as possible.

  • News from the Municipal Council – 3rd meeting

    News from the Municipal Council – 3rd meeting

    No decision in the non-public part

    At the beginning of the meeting there were no decisions, so we can move directly to the public part.

    Adoption of long-standing members of the Council

    At this meeting, the mayor adopted several council members, some of whom had been active in the municipal council for many years. We join the mayor's thanks and thank the former members for their commitment to our community.

    Roswitha Kästner appointed as new Council member

    We are pleased that Roswitha Kästner has been appointed as a new council member by the mayor. She has a lot of experience in local politics and is a committed colleague of our electorate. Together with her, we would like to actively address the future issues for Dernbach.

    Rehabilitation of the Schabeborn brook canal

    An important topic of the meeting was the refurbishment of the Schabeborn stream canal. The originally estimated costs of 70,000 euros are expected to be exceeded by just under 8,000 euros. Stefan Görg checked whether a piping (so-called inliner process) would not be more cost-effective and durable. The mayor explained that the canal has partly a rectangular cross-section, which is fixed with basalt stones. Particularly in a curve stones have been detached. The canal has to cope with a large drainage area, including rainwater from the motorway and roads from the southern Wirges. 

    Manuel Misgeld asked whether funding was available, for example from the funding guideline for water management. However, the administration stated that it had already examined all possible subsidies, unfortunately to no avail. Manuel also saw no possibility of costing the developer of the main road as a national road, since the damage site is apparently located away from it. The Bügermeister also mentioned that the Kipki funds for climate protection have already been exhausted (solar plant at the kindergarten) and that Dernbach is making rapid progress in the flood protection concept. The municipal council unanimously approves the draft resolution.

    Re-appointment of committees

    We are pleased that the City Council unanimously approved our proposal for the renewal of the committees. This allows us to actively participate in important decisions.

    Conversions in the community centre

    The mayor informed about various planned renovations in the community centre to help improve accessibility and security:

    • Installation of smoke protection doors (self-closing).
    • Roller shutters with motors for energy improvement.
    • Replacement of lamps and radiator valves.
    • Burglary protection on the windows.
    • Renewal of two inefficient pumps or combination into one heating circuit in the large hall (costs: 3,500 euros).

    Together, the costs of the planned measures amount to about 10,000 euros. In the budget, 40,000 euros are earmarked for this. In addition, an additional escape door is to be installed in the cloakroom to ensure a second escape route in the event of a fire. The dismantling of the bowling alley could create storage space. However, it must be examined to what extent a necessary breakthrough in the concrete wall can be implemented.

    Roswitha Kästner asked about the necessary fire protection measures. In this regard, the mayor explained that in addition to the planned structural separation, an additional escape route on the ground floor will be examined.

    The Future of the Library

    The mayor stated that the Catholic Public Library should move to the basement of the community center. This would free up the ‘most beautiful’ space on the ground floor for smaller celebrations. This space is conveniently located near the entrance, toilets and kitchen and could be used as a beverage storage for larger events.

    At the request of Manuel Misgeld, the mayor declared that accessibility in the basement should be ensured by the construction of a ramp, which will be completed later this year. Manuel stressed that the decision to move the library should be made in close coordination with the library in order to find an amicable solution.

    Alessa Bode underlined that communication with the employees is also important, as they should feel involved in the room distribution.

    The municipal council decided on the conversion measures and new room distribution with one vote against and four abstentions.

    Primary school expansion

    Manuel Misgeld enquired about the planned expansion of the primary school and asked if the mayor was consulted on this. He denied that he had been involved in the planning so far. Two CDU members informed the council that the planned new building will include a cafeteria and two additional classrooms. This extension is necessary because the school is to be converted into a full-time school.

    Population Question Hour

    During the Population Question Hour, various concerns of citizens were addressed:

    • Deforestation on the motorway: A question about the planned clearings on the highway was answered by the mayor. He is in contact with Autobahn-GmbH, which has promised that clearing will take place from October to the end of February. However, major interventions are hardly possible.
    • Chestnut tree pollution at the Way of the Cross: A local resident pointed out the pollution at the Way of the Cross by a chestnut tree. The mayor explained that the sweeper had failed, but has since been repaired. He takes care of cleaning the affected area.
    • Embankment protection at Schabebornbach: When asked about the embankment protection on the Schabebornbach, the mayor replied that the work will be carried out shortly.
    • Use of the community centre: On the question of who could use the community center and when, the mayor explained that inquiries should best be made by e-mail to info@dernbach.de.
    • Fibre optic expansion: On the topic of fiber optic expansion, the mayor reported that at the last local mayor's conference it was announced that all construction sites in Dernbach should be completed by the end of November. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, the connection to the fiber optic network is to take place. Meridiam is responsible for the network, while Vodafone implements the house connections. In some areas, the pipes are already in the pavement, but not yet at the house connections. In addition, several damage reports were reported due to the construction work, such as defective or incorrectly laid pavement slabs. In such cases, citizens can contact the mayor directly via info@dernbach.de Please contact us by Monday, as the damage will then be discussed with the construction company on site.

    inquiries

    Level crossings: Stefan Görg asked about the progress at the level crossings, in particular the restriction on the Burgweg and the distance of the crossing behind the Hundeplatz. The mayor said the commission was two years ago and he did not expect any more action. Furthermore, holes at the level crossing at the station must be removed, but the railway does not release the closure of the transition for this.

    Refurbishment of the dirt road on the Burgweg: A CDU member suggested in the meeting to rehabilitate the dirt road, which extends as an extension of the castle path. The gravel stones refilled this year are not enough to keep the path in good condition. The mayor replied that a tar layer would represent a relatively high financial burden and that the subsidies for road construction in the agricultural sector were questionable. However, he plans to obtain a cost estimate. He also pointed out that the second instalment for the purchase of the community centre as well as the foreseeable construction measures on the Südring could place a heavy burden on the 2025 budget.

    Speed checks and traffic counts: In response to Stefan's question about speed checks and traffic counts, the mayor replied that the recently installed facility was initiated by the planner of the industrial park at Burgweg. Here, a connection to the K148 is provided, for the preparation of which a traffic census is necessary.

    Saint Martin: Alessa Bode asked if the pretzels were ordered for St. Martin. The mayor confirmed the order – including 100 glazed pretzels ordered for the senior centre.

    outlook

    We at Together for Dernbach will continue to keep you informed about developments in the municipal council and upcoming decisions. Stay informed – together we will shape Dernbach's future!