Day: Friedgarten

  • News from the Municipal Council 2/2025

    News from the Municipal Council 2/2025

    On Wednesday last week, the most recent meeting of the Dernbach municipal council took place. Our group Together for Dernbach This time, too, he has been involved and accompanied some important issues critically, but constructively. Here is an overview of the items on the agenda:

    Item 1: Announcement of non-public decisions

    The mayor informed about two decisions from the non-public part. Both concern property matters.

    Item 2: Budget 2025

    A key issue was the 2025 budget. As the mayor explained, this is not balanced. The main reasons are upcoming investments and increased expenses, especially for the day care centre, which is run by the Diocese of Limburg. The increased payments are retroactive and affect several municipalities.

    The focus was on the following investment items, among others:

    • €663,250 for land purchases in the new construction area Cap garden. Some of these investments are to be more than counterfinanced by subsequent land sales.
    • Expansion of Ebernhahner Straße in the area of the future Norma-Markts (walking path, crossing aid, turning lane).
    • Participation in Martin-Luther-Straße (extension to Dernbach area), which has already been expanded by the city of Wirges.
    • Creation of the Friedgarten, which could be implemented more cost-effectively through own contribution and donations.
    • Setting up an emergency meeting point, in particular by means of an emergency generator. A grant of €7,500 was granted for this purpose. The discussion revolved, among other things, around the question of which equipment an emergency meeting point should at least have (e.g. heat supply), with the mayor stressing that no high quality of stay is foreseen.

    Another point was the second purchase price for the community centre.

    Our group welcomed the planned investments in principle, but called for a careful assessment of the financial situation. Manuel emphasized that the upholstery built in recent years has now been largely used up. It is true that around €100,000 per year is left for investment – a positive aspect. At the same time, it pointed to possible risks, such as if expected revenues (e.g. from land sales) were lower. A conscious use of the available resources therefore remains important.

    Item 3: Tax rates 2025

    The background of the consultation was the real estate tax reform, through which Dernbach will in future be around €54,000 less revenue has to expect. To compensate for this decline, the property tax would have to be increased by about 100 percentage points. However, the mayor proposed to wait for further development first.

    Stefan Görg pointed out that differentiated lifting rates – e.g. for undeveloped land – are also possible and thus the aim can be pursued to close building gaps more quickly. This variant was rejected by the CDU faction with inconsistent arguments about a possible increase (heirs would be burdened). This is despite the fact that – just under a year ago – she was the only political group to have voted in favour of such a model herself. There was also talk of not putting more money into the pockets of citizens, which is not comprehensible in the context of the decline in revenue. The CDU group leader also referred to an increase a few years ago and spoke out against a further increase.

    Manuel criticized the waiting so far and the contradictory reasoning: The amount of a revenue-neutral increase had already been known since the end of last year and forward-looking planning would have been appropriate. The non-adjustment of the rates de facto means that the municipality's financial room for manoeuvre is noticeably reduced. Ultimately, it was decided by a majority to leave the lifting rates unchanged for the time being. There were four abstentions.

    Item 4: Amendment of the Cemetery Fee Regulations

    The cemetery fee regulations have been adapted to reflect the newly created possibility of urn graves in the Friedgarten. The mayor presented the planned fees orally (approximately €800) and compared them with other municipalities of the Verbandsgemeinde. He stated that the administration could not have prepared a cost calculation in time.

    Stefan and Roswitha criticized in particular the lack of written draft resolution and short-term information. Unlike the CDU parliamentary group, Together for Dernbach had not been informed in advance. Especially when it comes to a sensitive topic such as funeral fees and a change in the statutes, we consider transparent and sufficient preparation to be essential.

    As far as the matter was concerned, we considered a moderate fee to be acceptable in principle. Manuel pointed out that no funeral form is cost-covering and a reasonable orientation value makes sense.

    Despite these concerns, the amendment to the statutes was adopted unanimously; There were two abstentions.

    Item 5: Photovoltaic system for the nursery

    The planned photovoltaic system on the roof of the day care center was unanimously approved. The planned self-consumption makes the project economically viable in the long term – profitability is currently estimated to be achieved after about 11 years. Funding is also expected. A future agreement with the kindergarten for the use of the generated electricity is conceivable.

    Item 6: Population Question Hour

    A resident suggested posthumously appointing a deceased person as an honorary citizen of Dernbach. The mayor accepted the proposal and announced that he would discuss the matter with relatives.

    Item 7: Communications and enquiries

    In the last part of the meeting, several topical issues were raised:

    • Fibre optic expansion: The course so far has been critically commented on. The delays continue and the execution is partial and still deficient. The mayor announced that he would check with the relevant authorities. Since it is a self-employed project of Vodafone, according to the VG administration, there are only limited rights of intervention.
    • Level crossing main road: The road surface should be repaired if the train traffic is suspended due to construction work. The state authority for mobility has not yet given any feedback on this.
    • Photo mountain: This is to be used again as a photo location. According to a request, the vegetation should also be removed and the wall painted.
    • Invasive plant species Hercules perennial: It was announced that possible countermeasures are under consideration.
    • Industrial area: An associate asked about remaining development opportunities. The administration is examining the situation.
    • Noise pollution from railway announcements: One member of the Council was critical of this.
    • Access road Grillhütte: When asked by a council member, the mayor admitted that the path serves as a rescue access to the emergency exit of the ICE tunnel.

    conclusion

    The meeting once again showed: Dernbach faces significant challenges, both financially and infrastructurally. Our group Together for Dernbach will continue to work to ensure that decisions are well prepared, comprehensible and made for the benefit of all citizens. We see open communication and early involvement of all political groups as a central prerequisite for functioning community work.

  • News from the Municipal Council 1/2025

    News from the Municipal Council 1/2025

    On 5 February 2025, the most recent meeting of the local council of Dernbach took place – we were fully represented with all six political group members. Important issues for our village were on the agenda.

    Development plan Ebernhahner Straße: A new supermarket for Dernbach

    A central theme was the development plan in Ebernhahner Straße. The plan is to establish a Norma supermarket with a beverage market and bakery. Representatives of the association municipality administration and the planning office presented the extensive planning documents as well as the suggestions received.

    In response to questions from our group, the following points have been clarified:

    • The sales area remains within the limits of small-scale retail.
    • A rainwater retention basin is intended to relieve the wastewater system and is designed for a five-year flood.
    • The development plan also allows other commercial uses if the situation changes in the future.

    A CDU member asked if competitors could sue the supermarket. The experts considered this possible, but not necessarily promising. In the end, the local council voted with an abstention for the development plan.

    Electricity and gas supply contracts: Opting for green electricity

    The mayor presented the planned tender for electricity and gas supply contracts for the years 2026-2028. In doing so, the municipality was able to decide whether it would like to purchase normal or green electricity.

    A short discussion revolved around the additional costs for green electricity, which a CDU member questioned due to limited financial leeway. Details of the amount were not known, so Manuel looked into the budget in order to arrive at a rather medium three-digit amount in the rough assessment of the financial impact. The Council decided unanimously to purchase green electricity.

    Friedgarten: A park-like area with urn collection graves

    Another topic was the planning of a cemeteries garden with urn collection graves. The original plans have been revised, in particular on burial forms, routing and costs. Since the council members had not received an updated cost statement or a draft resolution in advance, Manuel enquired with the association municipality administration, but was referred to the mayor.

    The plans remained partly unclear or were changed, so that there were still open questions that Alessa raised:

    • How many urn graves are to be created in which tomb form?
    • Are personnel costs of the building site to be planned?
    • Do the fees cover the running costs as well as part of the construction costs?

    Alessa came up with the idea of having the Friedgarten run as a cooperative in order to relieve the community of organizational and risk. A potential operator was already envisaged, but this proposal was not followed up.

    Stefan G. pointed out that grave maintenance is subject to VAT and Manuel asked whether a business of a commercial nature should be established. Both were denied by the CDU faction.

    Although points remained unclear, including whether the planned urn graves would be accepted at all (which is not the case in neighbouring municipalities), the Council agreed to the project with six abstentions.

    Further decisions at a glance

    • Barrier-free conversion of the toilet in the town hall: Adopted unanimously.
    • Fire protection measures in the community centre: A fire-retardant wall is to separate the ground floor and the basement.

    The Council unanimously agreed, further accessibility measures and an additional emergency exit are still being planned. Stefan G. asked about the refurbishment of the bowling alley, whereupon the mayor reported with pleasure that it was now fully functional again.

    Citizen enquiries: Digital booking of the community center?

    One citizen enquired about the possibility of booking rooms in the community center online. The mayor rejected this on the grounds that accounting conflicts were better solvable by analogy. In addition, the community center is not a clubhouse, so club bookings are not given preferential treatment. This was criticized by a CDU council member, as this should have been communicated to the clubs earlier.

    Conclusion: The meeting brought important decisions for the municipality, but in some areas outstanding issues remained. Especially with the Friedgarten, a more early and detailed planning would have been helpful. Alessa pointed out that informed preparation would have facilitated decision-making. Nevertheless, landmark decisions could be taken – first and foremost the decision for green electricity and the creation of a new supermarket.

  • News from the City Council: 4th meeting

    News from the City Council: 4th meeting

    We continue our series:

    Wednesday, the 4th. On 1 December 2024, a public meeting of the municipal council took place in Dernbach from 7 p.m. The Group Together for Dernbach informs about the most important topics and discussions.

    Property tax rates

    The mayor explained that due to legal requirements, the rates of the property tax must be decided later this year. The proposal for a decision of the administration provides that the rates unchanged to leave. A review and possible adjustment could take place in the first half of 2025.

    Discussion: Is it necessary to adjust due to the land tax reform or not?

    • Roswitha referred to Calculations by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Finance, which are intended to ensure consistent tax revenue. However, these are not taken into account in the proposal for a decision.
    • The mayor argued that the federation of municipalities and towns recommends that the current lifting rates be maintained and only increased if necessary.
    • Manuel He also stressed that Dernbach does not want a tax increase. However, it is already foreseeable that the reform will lead to a loss of revenue. For Dernbach, the Ministry of Finance has already calculated which lifting rates are necessary to compensate for this. A later decision on higher lifting rates was unnecessary, as the figures are already available. Manuel noted critically that apparently at the local mayor's conference it was decided to postpone the adjustment.

    Counter-arguments of the CDU group: One member thought a quick decision was premature, as pending court decisions could still have an impact on the calculations. Another stressed that two changes in a row could confuse citizens.

    voting

    The local council voted 2 abstentions for the maintenance of the lifting rates.

    Subsequent update

    We asked the Association of Municipalities and Towns: The basis of calculation will not change in the coming months. 98 % the assessment notices are final, so that an adjustment is foreseeable in the first half of 2025. Thus, the Council is expected to have to increase the lifting rates by July 2025 in order to avoid an imminent loss of revenue.

    Planning a Friedgarten

    The mayor presented the planning for a new Friedgarten. The draft was prepared by a planner who answered the questions of the municipal council members at the meeting. Intended is a easy-care area, on which urn graves are arranged around trees. A significant part of the implementation is to be carried out by the building yard (own contribution); Paths should only be mown and (according to the plan sketch) provided with individual stone slabs.

    Discussion: Accessibility, design and transparency

    • Stefan G. and Alessa pointed out that the lack of accessibility was problematic, especially for people with walkers or wheelchairs.
    • Some CDU members also supported the establishment of fixed paths; Other members defended the concept: It is reminiscent of a Friedwald; There is also freedom of choice for graves.
    • Several council members expressed concerns about tree selection.
    • Manuel emphasized that Together for Dernbach, the concept is generally welcomed, as the demand for care-free urn graves has increased.  He would like to express his thanks to the planner, who carries out his work on a voluntary basis. At the same time, he criticized the fact that trees were already planted before the municipal council decided on the project. Manuel also pointed out several points to be clarified, including the exact total costs – for example, the water point, the stealing or the application of topsoil are still not taken into account as well as the ongoing care costs.

    The mayor said that this was not intended as an anticipation of the Council's decision. A tree and a pedestal were donated by the planner. Manuel reminded that in-kind donations, similar to donations, must be properly registered if the amount of 100 euros per year is exceeded.

    Provisional decision

    The local council, with one abstention, voted in favour of the further details of the project in the Building Committee to clarify.

    Miscellaneous

    Senior centre

    The surname ‘St. Josef & St. Agnes’ of the Seniorenzentrum is deleted in favour of the place name ‘Dernbach’.

    Traffic situation on the Burgweg

    A residents' meeting on the traffic situation on the Burgweg takes place on 16 January 2025 instead.

    Sewer rehabilitation

    At the request of Stefan G. The mayor informed that the rehabilitation of the canal near the main road has already begun. The invoice is not yet available.

    Construction sites Fiberglass

    The CDU Group Chair criticized the traffic congestion on Kirchstraße because of the fiber optic construction site, especially in the morning. Originally, the construction sites were supposed to be completed in the autumn. The mayor stated that he had repeatedly urged the association community to do so. Alessa suggested communicating the shortcomings in writing, also to document it. The mayor promised to work again for a solution.

    Video function at the town hall bell

    Manuel pointed out that the video function of the doorbell at the town hall was problematic under data protection law. He called for this to be coordinated with the data protection officer of the Verbandsgemeinde. The mayor promised to take care of it.

    Castle path refurbishment

    One Associate recalled that the Burgweg section between railway tracks and Hoffmannsgraben had to be rehabilitated. The mayor stressed that this was an obligation of the municipality and did not need a council decision.

    Correction of the minutes

    Manuel asked at the beginning of the meeting for Correction of the minutes – in fact, there was a vote on the municipal centre 4 abstentions and 1 vote against.

    Cozy finish

    After the meeting, the members of the Council met for a joint snack. The Group Together for Dernbach Thank you to the local mayor for the invitation and the tasting.

  • News from the Municipal Council - 2nd meeting

    News from the Municipal Council - 2nd meeting

    Meeting of 4 September

    We from Together for Dernbach would like to inform you regularly about the topics that are discussed and decided on in the local council. At the meeting on 4 September, several important points for our village were on the agenda.

    Non-public and public part of the meeting

    As usual, the session started with a non-public part. Pursuant to § 20 of the Municipal Code, we are obliged to keep silent about the details and details dealt with in order to protect personal data as well as business and trade secrets.

    In the public part of the meeting, the local mayor announced the most important decisions and communications about which we can inform you. The municipal council took the following decisions:

    • Sale of a plot of land along the K148 in the direction of Staudt
    • Concluding a gas concession contract.

    Finances and levies

    The levies that Dernbach pays to the district and the Verbandsgemeinde amount to just over one million euros and are therefore within the budget. Dernbach can hope for almost 400,000 euros in allocations from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

    Fees for community centre, sports centre and town hall

    With a proposal for a resolution submitted to us at the meeting, local associations should be able to use the premises free of charge for rehearsal work, board meetings and general meetings. We from
    Together for Dernbach     express support for this project and have unanimously agreed to it. A correction note came from the CDU parliamentary group and the suggestion that the regulation should not be limited to local associations in order to enable non-profit initiatives to be used free of charge, which are not organised under association law. There was an indication that the mayor can waive the rent in justified individual cases according to the fee schedule.

    Our group member, Dr. Manuel Misgeld, noticed that only the community centre was mentioned in the proposal and asked that the decision also mention the sports centre and town hall. The mayor agreed to the correction. Manuel pointed out that the mayor must treat associations and initiatives equally when renouncing rent and suggested that a wording for charitable and charitable purposes be included in order to provide a framework for the mayor's decision. The leader of the CDU group rejected this and said that one should not restrict oneself here.

    purchases

    The purchase of a new work basket for community work was considered useful. However, a direct award is only possible up to a contract value of 3,000 euros, which is why some additional components of the purchase should be deleted. Manuel asked if road safety was guaranteed even without these components, which the mayor confirmed.

    For the Council members, iPads are to be purchased to digitize the work in the Council. Our group member, Alessa Bode, noted that this is a low-cost offer. Presumably already favorable additional components (pins) are priced in. The discussion showed that cheaper competing products are out of the question, as the IT department of the association municipality procures, installs and configures the tablets for safe use exclusively for council work. A majority of council members expressed interest in the devices.

    Planning for Friedgarten

    According to the mayor, the plans for the Friedgarten are progressing. However, the chances of a memoriam garden are currently poor.

    A memoriam garden offers urn graves for a fixed period (about 25 years), including care services. The Friedgarten, on the other hand, is to integrate urns decentrally in a plant field, with no remuneration for gardening services. Here, basalt columns with seating could be created, similar to the butterfly garden.

    Our group member, Stefan Görg, suggested to also consider the option of own contribution. A resident suggested to visit the implementation of a Memoriam garden in Wirges, as it was provided with basalt steles and offered an easy-care design.

    Traffic problems in the Burgweg

    On 25 September, a discussion was to take place in the community center to improve the traffic situation in the Burgweg. The issue of road blockages caused by parent taxis and buses has been the subject of repeated debates, but previous measures, including a traffic count during the holidays, have not been successful. Stefan explained the burden on local residents from his own experience.

    Unfortunately, this date had to be cancelled, because the order office of the Verbandsgemeinde Wirges could not allow participation.

    Honoring long-standing members of the Council

    The adoption of the members of the former municipal council was postponed because the administration of the association municipality had already deleted the necessary addresses and could not send the invitation in time.

    Several council members were honored for their long-standing commitment, including the local mayor himself, who has been active in the municipal council for 45 years.

    outlook

    The next meeting of the local council is scheduled for 9 October. As always, we will keep you up to date.