News

Train information: THE city will be starting the construction of the permanent lane barriers at Hubbards Lane on, 9-8-10, approximately 9:30 am. The public should expect some delays in maneuvering through the area for a couple of days.

The City of St. Matthews and CSX Transportation, Inc.jointly seek a temporary waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Use of Locomotive Horns. The city intends to establish a Pre-Rule Quiet Zone that it had previously continued under provisions 49 CFR  222.41(c)(1).

To view the complete information on the Federal Register, click on the link below.

http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/PDFgate.cgi?WAISdocID=U45er5/3/2/0&WAISaction=retrieve

Listed are person to whom you may express concerns or request assistance to work with the City of St. Matthews to rectify the Quiet Zone situation.

Sample letter that a person can download to send to the contacts of their choice. down load letter here you can cut and past it also.

Congressman: Honorable John Yarmuth

Congressman, 3rd District of Kentucky

600 Martin Luther King, Jr. Place, Suite 216

Louisville, KY 40202

Federal Railroad Administration: Ron Ries

Staff Director, Federal Railroad Administration

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Crossing/Trespasser Regional Manager: Tom Drake

Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center Suite 16T20

61 Forsyth Street, S.W.

Atlanta, GA 30303-30104

Phone: 770-251-6186

Associate Administrator for Safety: Ms. Jo Strang                                                                          

Federal Railroad Administration                     

1200 New Jersey Ave                                     

SE Washington, DC 20590

CSX: Mr. Cliff Stayton                    

Director Public Affairs and Safety, CSX Transportation                                        

500 Water Street - J205

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Principal Engineer Public Projects: Ben Biesterveld

500 Water Street - J301

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Office: (904) 359-1158, Fax:     (904) 366-4042,  RNX:  322-1158

CSX whistles an unhappy tune

 For many years, CSX Railroad has designated St. Matthews a “quiet zone,” meaning that its engineers must refrain from blowing whistles as their trains pass through the six crossings in the city.

 The quiet is a valuable amenity for all, and may be a health-and-wellness issue for those who are nerve-jangled and/or sleep-deprived.

 So city officials were upset in the spring of 2008, when CSX announced that it would soon begin blowing its whistles at crossings unless certain crossings could be upgraded to prevent cars from going around gates and risking accidents. CSX predicted that the cost of the necessary upgrades would be about $400,000. State and Metro Louisville governments said immediately that they couldn’t help pay for the improvements.

 St. Matthews was left holding the bag. One of the crossings CSX said would have to be improved was at Chenoweth Lane. CSX wanted the city to install a median; the city said it couldn’t do that, because a median would hurt nearby businesses by interfering with motorists’ access. As an alternative, the St. Matthews council said it would be responsible for installing two new gates that would completely block north- and south-bound Chenoweth. St. Matthews agreed to pay CSX for installing the gates at a cost of about $200,000.

 CSX also wanted St. Matthews to install a median on Thierman Lane. The city decided to have its own construction crew take care of the installation.

 CSX asked for $10,000 upfront to cover the engineering phase of the Chenoweth project. The city’s check was mailed on July 29, 2008.

St. Matthews was ready to proceed with the Thierman Lane work, but the project became embroiled in a dispute between CSX and the Louisville Water Co. The water company wants to install a main under the tracks, but CSX won’t allow it. That has become the subject of a (still-unsettled) lawsuit. Meanwhile, St. Matthews offcials do not want to do the work if it would then have to be undone for the installation of a water line.

 Two months ago, CSX advised the city that the Chenoweth Lane project was moving ahead. It said the survey had been completed; design work would be contracted out soon; and the plan was being freshly reviewed “in-house.

 A few weeks later, CSX said it would begin blowing its whistles at the crossings as required by federal regulations (barring a “quiet zone” waiver, for which the city has applied).

 St. Matthews can’t install the gates. Only CSX or a CSX contractor can.

 St. Matthews can’t stop the noise on its own, either. The city, which has fielded a number of complaints from whistle-tormented residents, is appealing the CSX decision to lift the “quiet zone” designation.

 Metro Louisville was able to preserve its “quiet zone” by closing two minor,residential crossings in Crescent Hill. In St. Matthews, none of the crossings can be closed without doing siginificant harm to residents and business owners.

 In April, the federal Railroad Commission said St. Matthews had to give up its “quiet zone” status or it would be taken away, which would make it harder to get back. City officials are doing all they can to get the “quiet” designation back.

BREATH OF LIFE SUPPORT GROUP TO LEARN ABOUT SLEEP APNEA

SUMMARY: Breath of Life support group members will learn about sleep apnea and if they should be tested for it at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at the Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center, located at 750 Cypress Station Drive. Mala LaCaze, clinical coordinator for the Sleep Disorders Center at Baptist Hospital East, will help the group’s COPD patients decide if they need to talk to their doctor about sleep apnea testing. COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, makes it difficult to breathe. For more information about the group, including a brochure on upcoming sessions, call the Baptist East Respiratory Care department at (502) 897-8134. 

            ST. MATTHEWS – Breath of Life support group members will learn about sleep apnea at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29 at the Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center, at 750 Cypress Station Drive.

            Mala La Caze, clinical coordinator of the Sleep Disorders Center at Baptist Hospital East, will help the group’s COPD patients decide if they should talk to their doctors about being tested for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. It affects 15 million Americans, resulting in loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and even cardiovascular complications such as high blood pressure.        

            COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. COPD describes a group of diseases (including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis) that makes it difficult to breathe because they partially block the normal flow of air into and out of a person's lungs. COPD usually takes many years to develop before shortness of breath becomes enough of a problem that a person needs help breathing.

Breath of Life is a support group that typically meets at 2 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in Room 2 on the Wellness Center's first floor. Meetings usually include a short educational session and time for sharing.

            For more information about the group, including a brochure on upcoming sessions, call the Baptist East Respiratory Care department at (502) 897-8134.

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What's happening in St. Matthews? [content]

Business monthly meetings held third Wednesday of the month. Did you know that St. Matthews has a very active organization for business owners? Go to mixers, golf scramblers, networking meeting and much more! Click here to find out about SMABA!

City Announcements

Winter 2010

 Planting New Trees:
The City of St. Matthews will be planting new trees in the easement areas throughout the city. To request a tree to be planted in front of your property, in the easement area, contact city hall at 502-895-9444. The species of trees to be planted changes each year, upon the recommendation of an arborist, therefore, it is not possible to make individual requests for a specific species.

Snow Removal Program:
The City of St. Matthews operates a comprehensive snow removal program. All streets within the city receive snow removal service. Naturally, main thoroughfares receive fist attention, then in a scheduled manner, all residential streets are treated. During this time, we ask that all vehicles be parked off of the road way to allow the snow plows and other equipment to maneuver safely, and properly clear your road.

Spring 2009

 As Spring storms arrive, it is possible that you may have small limbs or other debris to dispose of. If so, these items should be placed in marked Yard Waste Only trash containers or bundled with twine. Bundles should be no more than four feet in length and weigh no more than fifty pounds. Place the containers or bundles at the street edge at the time of your normally scheduled garbage pick up. Limbs with a diameter of more than 6 inches are not considered yard waste and should be placed at the street or alley where garbage is usually picked up.

Summer 2010

Fall 2010

 Leaf Collect Program:
St. Matthews leaf collect program will begin during the last full week of
October or the first week in November, depending upon the amount of leaves that have fallen. The crews will begin pick up in the areas south of US 60, Shelbyville Road, then to the areas north of US 60, Shelbyville Road, moving in a west to east sweep. Dated notification signs will be posted in each area prior to pick up.

To participate in the leaf pick up program, leaves should be raked to the edge of the front of the property. Do not cover catch basin drains or fill drainage ditches. This can cause backup of the drainage system, should we receive rain during this time. Crews will remove leaves along the street, utilizing a vacuum system Each area is scheduled to be covered only once, however, should time and weather permit, a possible second sweep may occur, if necessary.

If you have placed your leaves to the street and have been missed by our crews, please contact city hall at 502-895-9444.

Leaves can also be disposed of at the time of your normally scheduled garbage pick up.  Leaves must be in biodegradable or clear plastic bags or placed in trash containers marked “ Yard Waste Only”.

Free Yard Waste stickers for your trash containers can be pick up at St. Matthews City Hall during regular business hours. Do not mix garbage and yard waste together in the same container, as these items are picked up by separate trucks and disposed of differently.

Community Festival
Halloween In Brown Park
Expo at Trinity
Light Up St. Matthews

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