City staff anticipate the pavement projects to be completed in November

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Say bye-bye to the potholes. Starting Sept. 17, crews began road repaving and rehabilitation projects on many streets throughout Morgan Hill. The work is part of the city’s ongoing Pavement Rehabilitation Program.

Work will include pavement pothole and dig-out repairs throughout the La Crosse neighborhood area. Roadway pavement locations will include: Tennant Avenue, from Vineyard Boulevard to southbound U.S. 101; Condit Road, from East Dunne Avenue to north of the Ford Store; East Dunne Avenue, from Monterey Road to Condit Road; Encino Drive, from Sunnyside Avenue to the eastern end; Roble Drive, from Encino Drive to the west end; Via Castana, from Via del Castille to Encino Drive;

Other current projects include: Main Avenue between Butterfield Boulevard and Condit Road (roadway widening, bike lanes and pedestrian improvements)

“We understand the traffic patterns, detours and changes can be frustrating,” said Maureen Tobin, the city’s communication and engagement manager. “Our hope is to complete the work as quickly as possible and limit the impact to the community.”

City staff anticipate the pavement projects to be completed in November.

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Anderson Dam and spillway from the air. Photo courtesy Valley Water

Speaking of public works projects, Valley Water will begin draining Anderson Reservoir starting Oct. 1 to the lowest level using the existing outlet. This is in response to an order by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission earlier this year.

Draining the reservoir is the first in a series of activities to make the dam earthquake safe.

To keep the public safe during construction, Valley Water is closing many recreation areas around Anderson Dam and the reservoir behind it for several years, until the current dam is entirely replaced with a new dam. They include the Toyon Group Picnic and Parking Areas; Serpentine Trail; Dam Crest; and Woodchoppers Flat.

Fishing will be closed for the entire reservoir shoreline. The Live Oak Picnic Area will remain open to the public and can be accessed from Cochrane Road.

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The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and Peninsula Open Space Trust completed the purchase of a 235-acre parcel for $16 million in the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area.

The property was previously owned by longtime South Bay real estate developer, The Sobrato Organization, and was slated for industrial development. In November 2019, a public-private partnership among POST, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and the city of San Jose was formed.

“The conservation and restoration of Coyote Valley is a long-term effort with long-term positive impacts for all who live here,” said Walter T. Moore, president of POST.

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Buy an Italian dinner from one of Morgan Hill’s great restaurants and help out local kids.

The Kiwanis Club of Morgan Hill is hosting a fundraiser with Mama Mia’s Mediterranean Restaurant where the purchase of a meal Oct. 6, 7, or 8 will support some of its youth-oriented activities such as the Kiwanis Holiday Lights Parade, the Britton Middle School Robotics Club, and the El Toro Boys and Girls Club of Morgan Hill. Money will also go to the service group’s Turnaround scholarship program for Morgan Hill high school seniors who have met and overcome personal and academic challenges.

Usually, you see the Kiwanis Food Tent out at the Friday Night Music Series, grilling up and selling hot dogs to raise money. Because that popular event was cancelled this summer because of COVID-19, members had to get creative and figure out how to keep their fundraising efforts alive.  Mama Mia’s owner, Majid Bahriny, came up with the idea to join forces with the Kiwanis and provide a full family dinner where residents pull up, pick up and take home to enjoy.

Tickets are available online at www.MorganHillKiwanis.org. Buy a family dinner for four for $60 for yourself and/or a local family in need. Family dinner donations to deserving families will be distributed through the Edward Boss Prado Foundation. 

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Caitlin Robinett Jachimowicz

Congratulations to lifelong Morgan Hill resident Caitlin Robinett Jachimowicz. She was selected by the Silicon Valley Business Journal as one of its “40 Under 40” honorees in the Aug. 7 issue. The annual selection puts a spotlight on men and women younger than 40 who “solve problems, bring people together, and doggedly keep their companies running, all while balancing home and family life out of the office.”

A senior attorney at Jachimowicz Law Group in San Jose, Jachimowicz, 36, is a graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law and a mother of two young children. She told the Business Journal, “I love to do legal research until I have solved a problem, or working through a community issue until we have found a compromise, or serving my community in tangible ways that address problems like poverty and hunger.”

She was recently appointed as city treasurer as the only one to file to run for the position.

Excellent job, Caitlin. You do so much for Morgan Hill.