Council denies police resolution against marijuana

Saratoga Police Chief Tom Knickerbocker presented a formal resolution on anti-marijuana education to the Saratoga Town Council on Aug. 18.

The resolution was “in support of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of police and our local law enforcement agencies to get local citizens informed about the harmful health effects and negative social consequences of marijuana.”

The resolution was questioned by councilpersons Will Faust and Judy Welton because of its vague nature as well as its political stance.

Faust questioned whether marijuana legalization was a town issue at this point, noting that the resolution was very vague and included no language of what the law in question looks like. Considering that the resolution was not indicating any specific bill, Faust brought up that there are a lot of gray areas between total recreational legalization and studying the effects of marijuana in labs and universities.

Welton felt that the resolution, written with statistics from a singular source, took a political stance despite Knickerbocker’s assertion that it was unbiased. The resolution was not signed. The police department will be releasing their official position letter once it is finalized, Knickerbocker said.

Councilperson Richard Raymer, on behalf of the streets department, announced that the bid for the upcoming street improvement project had been completed, with Simon Contractors winning the bid. Simon Contractors bid a total of $397,540.79. Councilpersons Raymer and Faust agreed that Simon Contractors had done quality work before in the town, including projects at the Saratoga Airport and Rochester Ave. The project is expected to be completed within this fiscal year.

Dave Schulz, Sage Engineering, presented information from the bidding for the paving project at the airport. The bid went to Mountain Construction Company for approximately $746,000. Schulz explained that they were now short on funds, with several options on how to make up the funds. The council agreed with Schulz that the best way to make up the extra funds is to apply for another Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant, and the bid was awarded not contingent on finances. Work should be completed in spring, and the board is able to submit six to eight forms for grants.

This summer, record-breaking numbers of people have come to Saratoga Lake Campground, according to assistant clerk Jonathon Moore. Lisa Burton, Recreation Department Director, presented information about a motor boat grant for improvement at Saratoga Lake Campground. The grant, amounting to $28,825 with a match from the town’s Land and Conservation fund (a total of $57,650) would provide fresh water hook-ups to camp sites via a well.