Town of Springfield

Due to the proximity of lighting, the swimming pool will close for the remainder of the today, 6/30/2026.

“The Case of the Missing Sign”
Now, I don't usually pay much attention to signs.

Mostly because after you've lived here long enough, you know where Town Hall is whether the sign is there or not.

But I couldn't help but notice that the old "City of Springfield" sign has disappeared from the front of the building. And before anyone asks, no, I didn't take it.

Truth be told, people have been complaining about that sign for years. Some folks mentioned it once. Some complained about it every chance they got. A few probably mentioned it loudly enough that the sign could hear them. Around here, if you leave something alone long enough, eventually somebody will complain about the fact that nobody has complained about it lately. And would you look at that? The sign is gone.

Funny thing about local government… People sometimes think nobody is listening. Sometimes it just takes a while. Sometimes it takes a lot of paperwork. And sometimes it simply takes the right hoops being jumped through at just the right timing.

Then one day something changes, and it turns out somebody was paying attention after all.

Now, I don't know exactly what's coming next. Maybe a new sign. Maybe a facelift. Maybe somebody finally got tired of explaining that Springfield is, in fact, a town and not a city.

And if I were a betting man, which I'm not, because I've seen my luck, I'd wager somebody found a grant to help make it happen. Around here, stretching a dollar is practically an Olympic sport. Springfield has always been a work in progress. A little fixing here. A little improving there. One project at a time as funding allows.

So, if you've noticed the missing sign, consider it proof that even the things we've looked at for years aren't set in stone.
Unless, of course, the next sign is made of stone.

Then I suppose it will be.

— The Springfield Sidekick

Here is the pool schedule for the week of June 30th through July 4th, 2026

*Roots and Wings, Early Childhood Council is sponsoring your free day on June 30, 2026
*Town of Springfield is sponsoring your free day on July 4, 2026! (Happy 250th Birthday, America!!)

*Youth Admission (18U) on all other regular swim days is covered by the Youth Engagement Program by SPD and BCSO!

The landfill is now closed for the remainder of today, June 27, 2026, due to high winds.

Community State Bank is sponsoring admission for everyone at the Springfield Swimming Pool today, June 24, 2026!

Go swim for free today on CSB!!

In partnership with the Springfield Police Department and Baca County Sheriff's Office , we are happy to announce that all kids, 18 years of age and younger will swim free at the Springfield Swimming Pool starting today until funding runs out. (Which all depends on how you kids take advantage of the Cops and Deputies footing the bill!)

This is all thanks to their Youth Engagement Program. A new initiative to encourage our local youth to be productive, and take advantage of the resources we have. A much better alternative to mischief and trouble if you ask us!

Thanks for your commitment to our area youth, guys! We appreciate you all!

(PS This will not change a thing for the business currently set to sponsor a free day. We are happy to allow anyone that would like to sponsor a free swim day to continue to do so. That will only allow Law Enforcement funding to stretch further for our youth!)

We are moving into the next VERY CRITICAL phase of our water project. Crews are planning to do a tie in tomorrow which means that our well will not be pumping while they do this. We need your help to ensure that the backup supply does not run out too quickly.
Starting first thing tomorrow, 6/23/2026 at 12:00 AM, there will be no nonessential watering. That means absolutely NO lawn watering, no car washing, or anything else other than normal household usage. This will take several hours, and we will update as soon as we can resume normal (but newly suggested conservation aware) watering habits. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Here is your Pool Schedule for the week of June 23rd through June 27th.

Shout out to Community State Bank for sponsoring a free day on Wednesday, June 24th!!

“A Few Thoughts on Water From a Man Who Watches the Sky”

Folks, pull up a chair for a minute. I may be just a grumpy old man, but I have a few questions...

Why are we watering at 2:00 in the afternoon when it's hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk?

Why are watering in a 30-mile-an-hour wind when its all just spraying sidewise?

And my personal favorite...

Why are we watering while it's raining?

Now, I ain't no scientist, but I am old enough to know that watering your yard in the middle of a rainstorm makes about as much sense as carrying an umbrella in the bathtub.

Here's the thing.

We're fortunate.

The Town Board of Trustees has not put water restrictions in place. They've trusted us to use common sense and be good stewards of the water we have. That's a privilege, not a guarantee. Let's not make them regret it.

Every gallon we waste is a gallon we don't get back. And before somebody says, "Well, it's just a little water..."

I've heard that one before.

A little water from this house. A little water from that house. Pretty soon we're all wondering why the tanks are dropping faster than my patience during a board meeting.
So here's a revolutionary idea:

💧 Water early in the morning or later in the evening.
💧 Turn the sprinklers off when it's raining.
💧 If the wind is trying to relocate your water to Oklahoma, wait a bit.
💧 Fix leaks when you find them.

Nobody's asking you to let your lawn turn into tumbleweeds. We're simply asking everyone to be mindful. Small changes made by a lot of people add up in a big way.

Let's prove that Springfield can take care of itself without someone having to make a rule about it.

Because I'd hate to see the day when common sense gets replaced by restrictions. And judging by some of the sprinklers I've seen lately, we're making a strong case for exactly that.

Be water smart Springfield. Every drop counts.

— The Springfield Sidekick

Due to the storm moving in, the pool will close for the remainder of the day, June 20, 2026.

The latest from Sidekick Says:
“Notes From a Tired Man Who Has Seen What Your Tailgate Can Do”

Well folks, I had a sight the other day that near about raised my blood pressure right up into my hat.

A pickup truck heading out to the landfill, doing a fine job of it too, I’ll admit, except for one small detail… nothing on that load was tied down like it had any sense at all.

Trash bags bouncing. Brush flapping. Debris flying down the road like it was trying to escape the county entirely.

Now I don’t know who needs to hear this (though I suspect they’re already halfway to the dump again), but a rope is not decorative. A strap is not optional. And gravity… well, gravity is undefeated in these parts, especially when assisted by it’s friend wind.

So let me say it plain:

If you are hauling it, you are responsible for it.
If it can fly off, it will fly off.
And if it flies off, the entire town will see it, and will judge you quietly from their porch. (Ok maybe that last part is just me.)

Do us all a favor: Tie it down. Strap it tight. Or don’t bring it at all. Rumor has it the dump will turn you away if it is not secured!

Because nobody wants to explain to their insurance agent that a rogue trash bag took you out and caused the pile up on the ole 287. Even worse when they find trash with your name on it right there inside that bag.

Let’s take pride in what’s ours Springfield. Keep people travelin’ safely down our roads by strapping down your load or be ready to head home and try again!

— The Springfield Sidekick

Looking for plans for the week? Here's what the pool is up to!

Baca Home Care Agency is paying for Ladies' Morning for a third week!!
and...
Mom and Tot's will have their own time slot this week - for one week only! So if you have been asking - make sure you get your tot to the pool!!

As always, pool plans are weather permitting!

*Update - All residents should be back on. If you are still without, please call 719-353-2398. We are aware of electric problems on the SW side of town around Roosevelt Street. Crews are on site to address the issue. Check back here for updates.

The landfill is closing today, June 12, 2026 due to high winds.

The landfill will remain closed today, June 11, 2026 due to high winds.