Forstern Citizens' Assembly: Many projects and a few extra requests

Created: 11/28/2022, 11:00 am

By: Veronica power

In the small gymnasium, the Forstern citizens' meeting took place for the first time, at which some firefighters were also honored (report follows).

© Vroni power

In Forstern's citizens' meeting, Rainer Streu looks to the future - concern about the district levy

Forstern

– She has a lot of mandatory projects ahead of her, but she also has a few wishes for next year.

Whether all of these can be realized depends on the budget of the municipality of Forstern.

In any case, the austerity course that she has been pursuing for two years is bearing fruit.

However, the district levy is a source of concern, as the head of the town hall, Rainer Streu, made clear at the citizens' meeting.

By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Erding newsletter.

Traditionally, it takes place in Forstern on the afternoon of the last Saturday in November.

This year, everyone met in the small gymnasium and began with a minute's silence for the former mayor, Josef Eicher, who died in October.

Streu then gave a lot of figures in his extensive review of 2021. He reported on measures and investments for which the principle of thrift always applied.

With success: Although investments were also made, Streu was able to announce that the debt had fallen from 9.5 million euros at the end of 2021 to almost 8.5 million euros at the end of 2022.

But there are also many measures to be taken next year: the municipality has planned to rebuild the after-school care center, flood protection, refurbish the town hall, convert the street lighting to LED, refurbish the children's playgrounds and much more.

They are also thinking about PV systems on municipal roofs.

The draft budget contains EUR 75,000 for this.

A citizen wanted to know if there was a prioritization for this.

According to Streu, Villa Regenbogen and perhaps the former whirlwind would be good options, "we could really use the electricity for the buildings themselves".

In the children's home in Karlsdorf, this has so far been quite positive.

In terms of tax law, the topic is associated with major challenges.

However, the roofs of the gymnasium and fire station as well as an open space towards Karlsdorf could also be an option.

The municipality is thinking of working with an energy cooperative: “The citizens could also get involved.

We are currently examining whether that would be an option.” Results should be available in the spring, but the companies are currently having difficulties with offers with delivery times of up to eight months.

In 2023, they also want to make progress with the planning for the development of the care center.

Streu explained that the municipality was not blocking this topic: "We have dealt intensively with an investor and a potential operator.

There were drafts and we also did our homework, for example on the parking space situation.

At the moment, however, one has the feeling that the operator is putting the brakes on.”

He doesn't believe that Forstern is suddenly no longer interesting enough.

"I tend to assume that there is a lack of staff." For 70 inpatient nursing beds, you need a corresponding number of nursing staff, "and that's a huge problem at the moment." He understands that the topic also leads to quite emotional discussions.

"But unfortunately it is currently difficult with the operator."

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In addition to all these projects, the municipality also has three on its wish list: a new recycling center, a new building yard, and a subsidy for a new sports center.

The draft budget includes a good five million euros for these three measures alone, and the total investment is a good ten million euros.

However, it is not yet clear whether these measures will be implemented and how expensive they really are, stressed Streu after critical questions from the citizenry.

For the recycling center, for example, you only pay in advance, and the district will pay for it.

Speaking of the district: Streu sharply criticized the district surcharge.

It has doubled since 2011.

Most recently, they paid 2.34 million euros - "and the end of the road has not yet been reached.

The scenarios are bleak.” At the moment it is assumed that the levy will increase again by up to 300,000 euros.

"We are aware that the district has many tasks and that the citizens of Forstern also benefit from the investments," said Streu.

But you have to point out to the circle that they too have to see where they can tighten their belts.

"At some point, there will also be an end for us communities," Streu warned.

vam