Lot questions, WYDOT projects

Lots were a subject that came up came up several times at the Encampment Town Council meeting held Thursday at 7 p.m.

The town council their Sept. 14 minutes and paid the monthly bills and then listened to Sara Jane Ellis from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) as she explained what funds are available from the agency.

“They are really trying to change the face of WYDOT and not be so much the big brother type with towns, but be more of a collaborative partner going forward,” Ellis said. She talked about a program WYDOT offered the town could take advantage of called Transportation Alternatives that can help with safety. Sidewalks and flashing school zone lights and were given as examples.

Mayor Greg Salisbury told Ellis the town had asked for speed bumps coming into town from Battle Pass about four years ago, which he felt could be covered under the guidelines offered.

Kimberly Loftice, town council member, asked Ellis if sidewalks were put in, who would be responsible for maintenance since the town was on a mountain which could be a problem. Ellis said the town would be responsible for maintenance until the sidewalk had met it’s useful life, then WYDOT could come in and tear out the sidewalk and put a new one in.

Brad Hebig, contractor for High Plains Foam Building, approached the council about whether or not water and sewer was needed for lots owned by Dennis Pool. Hebig believed that since the lots being discussed were adjacent to land also owned by Pool that do have water and sewer lines there was no need to install new ones.

Salisbury said the lots were not really adjacent to Pool’s property although they were across from the alleyway and did touch boundaries. However looking at a schematic of the lots, the properties did not meet the criteria of ordinances allowing Pool to have a building without water and sewer. It was determined Pool would be responsible for putting in water lines if he wanted to build.

“When you build a building, you have to have sewer and water, that is just how our ordinance reads,” Salisbury said.

Hebig said he would talk to Pool about his options.

The council approved the second reading of the Alcoholic Beverages additional amendments and a property lien on delinquent utilities for block 22, lots 11 and 12.

The council approved the Carbon County Library Foundation and Friends of the Library for grants of $250 each. Grand Encampment Museum was funded $1,200. Burns Insurance Agency was authorized $1,280 for insurance renewal on town property.

Doreen Harvey, town clerk, was appointed to represent Encampment at the Carbon County Council of Governments (CCCOG) for the fifth penny tax committee.

Council member Gary Stull said he would look into finding a company to provide new commercial exterior door handles for the Encampment Opera House and the council approved up $250 for floor cleaning equipment and pads for the same facility.

Harvey reported the Senior Center had donated $500 to Harmony Park.

The council went into executive session at 7:42 p.m. and came out at 8:02 p.m. The council then announced the town had purchased Block 26, Lot 1 for $5,420.35.

The next scheduled Encampment Town Council meeting is at 7.p.m. Nov. 9 at the town hall.