Day: Sewer rehabilitation

  • Council meeting of 18 June 2025

    Council meeting of 18 June 2025

    Last Wednesday, the most recent meeting of the municipal council took place. This was discussed and decided in the public session.

    TOP 1: Announcement of decisions taken in closed session

    This point was omitted due to the lack of guests present.

    Item 2: Drainage management - Decision adopted unanimously

    The municipal council unanimously approved the planned relocation of a drainage line. The drainage is to run parallel to Dr. Domarus Street. In the discussion, Roswitha posed the question of whether the drainage corrects the cause of the moisture and is effective, especially since the terrain was rather dry before the sewer works.
    The mayor explained that water is now regularly collected at this point. The aim is not to lower the groundwater as a whole, but only to discharge superficial congestion specifically through drainage with drains.
    A member of the CDU Council supported the measure, as did Manuel, who considered the course of the planned drainage to be useful on the basis of the topography. In the absence of expertise and further information in the Council's proposal, only the planning approach of the experts can be trusted.
    The local mayor added that there was a problem with the previous drainage – for example, the water from the upper field is currently flowing directly into the rain retention basin.

    TOP 3: Amendment of the Cemetery Statute – unanimously adopted

    The Council unanimously adopted a revised cemetery statute. What is new, in particular, is that the costs for the preparation of the grave have now been officially recorded.
    Roswitha asked whether §15(1) was deleted – that is not the case. Instead, the name ‘Urnenrasengrab’ has been clarified: It is now called ‘Urnenrasenreihegrab’.
    Stainless steel signs are created by a local supplier.
    Stefan asked if the municipality also offers funeral services. The mayor made it clear: The municipality only provides the burial places – the entrustment of a burial place is carried out by the relatives.
    A CDU council member inquired about a possible reappointment of a undertaker by the municipality. The local mayor informed that a call for tenders is planned. In this respect, Alessa clarified that only contracts for excavation (for excavation between municipalities and the contractor) are made. There is no village-own undertaker, as everyone can choose the undertaker freely.

    TOP 4: Communications and enquiries

    • Walk to the hospital: The mayor announced to gravel the footpath from the former fairground in the direction of Peter-Dausenau-Straße / Brückenstraße.
    • Park area: Once again, the mayor expressed his desire to plan a small park in this area. This would also be in line with the development plan.
    • Parking regulations Kirchstraße: The municipality plans to apply for a three-hour parking scheme.
    • Care of the footpaths: A member of the CDU council suggested cutting back the vegetation on two heavily overgrown footpaths. The mayor stressed that he would examine the responsibility for this.
    • Parking behaviour: There was a general discussion about the parking behavior in the place, especially in confusing or dangerous places.
    • Burgweg: The Department of Public Order regularly monitors the area. However, the number of administrative offences imposed is in the low range. Due to the marking work carried out, it is possible to work here in a more targeted and legally secure manner.
    • Citizen's breakfast: Alessa reminded that the construction was to be organized. Some members of the council agreed to take action.
  • 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 – 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!