Briefs

+ Gavin Meshad appointed BID director
The Sarasota City Commission appointed Gavin Meshad to serve as the new St. Armands Business Improvement District (BID) director. Meshad is vice chairman of Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida and vice president of JWM Management Inc., a real estate management, development and leasing company. He is a lifelong Sarasota resident and a member of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County. Meshad will fill the seat of Vicki Fry, who died April 17.

+ Village sewer line ruptures on Broadway
A sewer line has ruptured near the entrance of Longbeach Village on Broadway.

Longboat Key Public Works Director Juan Florensa said the pipe ruptured 13 feet below the surface last week, when a contractor was attempting to place a new pipe over the aging sewer line.

Because the pipe has ruptured, the contractor must remove the pipe and replace it, which will take about three weeks to complete.

A temporary sewer pump is allowing the island’s sewage on the north end of the island to be pumped safely to the mainland.

+ Evacuation assistance program announced
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi is urging people with special needs to participate in an emergency evacuation assistance program, if island residents need to evacuate this year because of a pending hurricane.

The town of Longboat Key is in partnership with Manatee County and Sarasota County to provide additional help to citizens requiring evacuation assistance due to a medical condition or a type of issue that limits a resident’s mobility.

Residents with those types of issues need to register with the People with Special Needs (PSN) Program in the county where they reside.

To register in Sarasota County, island residents can call 861-5000 or visit www.co.sarasota.fl.us/emergencyservices/HurricanePrep/specialneeds.asp.

To register in Manatee County, island residents can call 749-3500, Ext. 1667 or visit www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/special-needs.html.

Once registered, during an evacuation, a PSN program operator will notify those residents when an evacuation order has been issued, confirm current medical needs and transportation information and coordinate a time for Longboat Key Fire Rescue and county personnel to assist residents in getting off the island.

Meetings & Agendas

• Town Commission Special Budget Workshop — 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 15.
• Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Thursday, June 16.
• Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 21.
• Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, July 11.
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, July 11.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.