There's a new star in the galaxy, or at least a new flag on the flagpole. The American Fork Post Office has received Star Status, the first post office in Utah and only the sixth business in the state to have the designation. It was given by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in recognition of the department's voluntary efforts to improve safety conditions. OSHA presented a flag to commemorate the effort; it is now flown at the post office.

"OSHA is on the brink of recognizing the 2,000th site in the nation," said Dean Lillquist, VPP Representative for OSHA. VPP is the Voluntary Protecton Program. "You are only the sixth site in Utah. You are demonstrating to the state how successful this effort can be."

Paul Strong was the VPP coordinator for the American Fork Post Office. He said the decision to improve safety conditions and go for the honor was a group effort.

"We all discussed amongst ourselves whether we wanted to try for VPP star status," he said. "It would have to be an effort on all of our parts."

When the group agreed to try for the honor, they went on a search.

"We started the Safety Search program," Strong said. "It gave us something we could all participate in."

In that program, the employees look for things that could become safety problems. When they started becoming more aware, the numbers increased dramatically.

"All last year we had only one suggestion of something to be fixed," Strong said. "Then we came up with the Safety Search and as of today we have about 41."

One example of those items is electrical cords which are frayed, he said.

"They bring things to our attention and say how they would abate them," he said. "Everybody started looking for things. It really shows a team effort."

They have done things like move a fire extinguisher because it kept getting blocked by items put in front of it. Another change involved putting up a mirror so employees could see others coming around a corner in time to avoid a collision.

Gov. Jon Huntsman sent a congratulatory letter.

"As Governor, it is my pleasure to congratulate your team, not only for the daily service you provide to your fellow citizens, but particularly for your incredible achievement in qualifying for Star Status in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)," he wrote. "Approval and acceptance in the VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health."

Congressman Chris Cannon also sent a commendation letter. Representatives of Senators Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch also congratulated the American Fork Post Office.

American Fork Mayor Pro Tempore Dale Gunther also commended the workers.

"You have been a team," he said. "You are looking out for each other."

Postmaster Brent Littlewood told about one interesting change that came about because of the Safety Search program.

"Two years ago when I came to American Fork, the wall was full with plaques, representing the excellence you had achieved in operations," he said. Those plaques have since been removed, not because Littlewood did not appreciate them, but because they could cause a safety problem. The employees are planning in replacing the plaques in a safe manner.

Strong said the group is facing another challenge.

"Now we have to keep looking and trying to improve every year," he said.

COMMUNITY NOTES

Contract awarded -- The American Fork City Council, on April 8, voted to approve $3.6 million for a distribution package for its pressurized irrigation system. The contract went to RAM Constructors. This is the next phase in the construction.

Mayor Heber Thompson told the council that the bid had come in 16 percent below the estimate previously given by the city engineer.

Engineer Andy Spencer explained the reason.

"It has been quite a competitive winter," he said.

In a related matter, the council approved selling up to $38.7 million of bonds to finance the system. City budget officer Cathy Jensen said the city expected to sell the bonds in May.

City purchases property -- On April 8, the American Fork City Council voted to purchase 1.8 acres north of the public works office building at 275 E. 200 North. This will be used for an expansion of the public works building. The cost was $530,000.

Council awards bid for fire station -- The City Council voted to award a bid for Construction Monsters, Inc. of Provo to build sleeping quarters at the American Fork fire and rescue station. The firm will finish sleeping quarters for three employees for $15,869.38. Those quarters will be used for personnel to stay at the station to provide 24 hour a day coverage for the fire and rescue department.