Though the city hopes to update traffic signal timing systems on Grand Avenue in the next few years, a steep increase in the expected cost has led the city to take a closer look at its options. On Monday, the Spencer City Council voted 7-0 to have Bolton and Menk conduct a review of the...
Like a bad batch of beer, some ordinances apparently are best dumped and brewed fresh. The Spencer City Council did just that last week when it voted 5-1 to approve the first filing of a clarified ordinance that would allow microbreweries, microwineries and microdistilleries downtown and other areas as a permitted use. The council flushed...
Scott Simpson’s favorite part of working in the insurance industry is being there for people. “I love helping people and working with people,” said Simpson, owner and president of Community Insurance. “My slogan has always been ‘Insurance stinks until you need it.’ It’s great when you can work with people and when something does go...
The Spencer City Council discussed the following topics at its meeting on Monday, September 16. $47,500 in downtown planter box, bench, waste receptacle restoration work approved Planter boxes, benches and waste receptacles along Grand Avenue in downtown Spencer will be getting a makeover. In total, the cost of the restoration work is expected to cost...
Spencer Main Street’s downtown lighting project got the green light Monday night. The Spencer City Council at its meeting that night voted 6-0 to approve the city contributing $155,000 toward the project to get it started. “We are excited about this project,” Spencer Main Street Director Nancy Naeve said. “It’s been at least two years...
A lot has changed at Grand Avenue Community Outreach since Kevin Brown became the faith-based organization’s executive director. Brown transitioned from board member to director around the beginning of the year. He has since found himself handling many different duties that could be expected of a director: fundraising, public relations, strategic planning, among others. “The...
Spencer is applying for funds that would be used to create voluntary design guidelines for buildings in the downtown historic district that wish to honor that area’s Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture styles. On Monday, the Spencer City Council approved 4-1 applying for a grant program that, if approved and advanced forward, would help...
Drivers traveling north on Grand Avenue will eventually see new street signs and light poles thanks to private fundraising by the Grand Avenue Improvement Corporation. At Monday’s city council meeting, the council to approve a memo of agreement with the Grand Avenue Improvement Corporation (GAIC) on the installation of “historic street poles and street signage,”...
Spencer City Council members on Monday filed for the second time an ordinance that would allow restaurants to set up sidewalk cafés on public sidewalks outside their establishments. If the ordinance is filed a third and final time, establishments where at least 50% of revenue comes from food sales can apply for permits to operate...
Just two weeks after launching, Spencer’s new Retail Kickstarter Program is already generating interest. Through the program, Spencer businesses that fill retail gaps, diversify the economy or fill jobs can apply to receive forgivable loans up to $25,000 and separate zero percent interest loans up to $25,000. The program is a partnership between the City...