Void in Hanna

The Hanna Town Council convened at 6 p.m. on Aug. 14 at the Hanna Town Hall. It was business as usual in the beginning where the agenda, minutes from July 10 meeting were approved.

Robert Patton, town council member, handed out educational cards on the 5th Penny Tax. He told the council, it had been the focus of the last Carbon County Council of Governments meeting on July 18.

Leonard Gonzales, Sr., High Country Joint Powers Board chairman, said the landfill had lost an operator that needed to be replaced.

Larry Korkow, Hanna Public Works Director said a 27-foot deep void had been found by Brierley Associates near the firehouse on 2nd Street. This company is working to make sure the void presents no danger to parts of the town.

Hanna mayor Tony Polous said it was odd a void would occur since mines were slanted when being built.

“I don’t know how it would occur, but obviously it did,” Poulos said.

Korkow and Poulos both said water could have eroded the void over years.

Poulos asked David Sutter, Chief Water Operator for the Water Treatment to get Sutter’s phone set up so much of the plant can be controlled remotely as the plant is capable of remote operation.

“The intent of this project for the water treatment plant was to make it fully automated and not rely on manual switches,” Poulos said.

Vivian Gonzales, Hanna Recreation Director said the pool was filled and some touch ups still had to be done, but it was close to being ready for inspection. She was hopeful the inspection could happen in the next week.

“I am hoping to have a big opening party once the pool is up and running,” V. Gonzales said then added that King Coal Days had been profitable.

Craig Kopaz, Engineering Associates said Old Town of Hanna construction of water lines were complete and that the paving of the road should be started in the next week or two. He said the clean up was ongoing but should also be done in the very near future.

“The two tiers at Madison we are going to seed and we are putting in a coconut erosion blanket to make sure it doesn’t wash away, Kopaz said. “We removed small fire hydrants that have been abandoned, so there will be no confusion about if they work.”

Kopaz said the work in Elmo was continuing.

“They should be done with 5th Street tomorrow morning and then they will move to where they can,” Kopaz said, “So far, so good in Elmo.”

Matt Cox, Hanna representative for South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) told the council the four applicants for the ambulance director had been interviewed. The next meeting for SCWEMS will be at 6 p.m. on Aug 21 at the Hanna firehouse.

Traci Schneider, new principal of Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow Elementary Schools introduced herself to the council.

“I was raised in Medicine Bow and graduated from Bow Basin High School back when it was there and my grandparents were Don and Mary Cooper who had Coopers Chevrolet and my parents are John and Sue Cowdin,” Schneider said. “I was raised under the Carbon School District 2 system and I am happy to be back and looking forward to working in partnership with all of you and the community members.”

Mikeal Anastos, resident of Hanna came before the council to ask for variance on his properties of 614 and 616 Front Street for an eight foot fence. Anastos showed fencing material he was planning to use and it was deemed not up to code. Anastos said he wanted to actually build a rock fence with the fencing backing it up. Poulos said the fence being talked about could cause snow drifts. The council said Anastos should come back with a design they could see instead of the fencing material and rocks he had brought.

Lee Ann Stephenson, democratic candidate for Wyoming State Senate 11 addressed the council and audience.

“I have made it a goal to come to the town councils of the 15 different municipalities that are in the district to get to know people and for you to get to know me,” Stephenson said. “I want people to feel free to contact me about any questions or comments, so this is why it is important I come to all the towns.”

Stephenson said she came to Hanna to hear the issues and how the town solved problems.

“I mostly came here to listen,” Stephenson said.

The next town council is at 6 p.m. on Sept 11 at the Hanna Town Hall.