Projects and permits

The Riverside Town Council met at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Riverside Town Hall. All council members and the mayor were in attendance.

The minutes from the council meeting on March 21 and the agenda were quickly approved.

Financials were gone over by Treasurer/Town Clerk Jan Cook and the council approved the bills.

Ashley McKinney, representing The Platte Valley Little League, asked the town for help funding equipment.

“Anything you can do for us is appreciated,” McKinney said.

The town awarded The Little League $250.

Helen Weiland, Riverside’s representative to South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS), told the council they should read the article in the recent Saratoga Sun.

“I don’t know how many of you read the report in the Saratoga Sun, but I will say Keith (McLendon) did an excellent job on reporting on our meeting, and if you want an in-depth understanding of what happened, I encourage you to read it,” Weiland said. (See “Dollars and Documents” on page 7 of the April 17 Saratoga Sun.)

Weiland said she had confidence with the present board.

“There are still things in the service that need to be worked on,” Weiland said. “We found out we are a special district board so we are a special tax district, so we are attempting to bring ourselves to compliance in all those manners.”

She said by the time of their May 2 budget meeting, SCWEMS would have a clear picture of their financials. Weiland said the headquarters had moved from Elk Mountain to Saratoga andsaid iPADS had been purchased for the ambulance to help with billings. Weiland added it was important to automobile insurance companies that all data is complete because they often only pay the first claims.

“If we have injuries coming from automobile accidents, insurance pays the first bills dropped and, if we lag behind, nine times out of 10, we won’t get it,” Weiland said. “So we are trying to bring all of it on line. I have every faith in this new board, we are going to get everything in control.”

Mayor Leroy Stephenson said there had been some trouble with the display panel for the power disinfection system for the sewer system. He said a new board might have to be purchased, but the sewer was in no danger of not being in compliance.

Council member Fred Lorenz said he found a used road groomer for $11,000 that had new carbide teeth. The council approved the purchase due to the substantial savings compared with purchasing a new one. The seller will deliver.

The council approved the Town of Encampment fogging charge of $75 an hour for mosquitos.

The council also approved $500 to go the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering.

Sarcoidosis Awareness Month for April was proclaimed and approved by the council. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body and causes an overreaction of the immune system.

Stephenson encouraged all council members to attend the Platte Valley Healthcare Sustainability Project meeting to be held at 5:30 p.m. on April 26 at the Opera House in Encampment. He said when any board meeting comes to Riverside or Encampment, it would be great for all council members to attend.

Council member Ed Golden suggested having a platted map of the town similar to what Encampment and Hanna use. The mayor and council agreed.

An ordinance amendment on shipping containers was put through its first reading. Shipping containers are not allowed in residential zones on a permanent basis. A temporary permit can be attained for up to 180 days. It cannot be extended. A container placed on private property for more than 30 days in a 12 month period of time shall require a permit.

The ordinance amendment for use of public rights-of-way was tabled. Stephenson wanted the council to have a little time to think about how to approach the subject.

A security camera for the town hall was discussed and Cook was instructed to find out information on what it would cost.

Stephenson said renovations for the old town hall were needed. He will find out estimates to get all the work done by the next town council. Stephenson said once the financials were found out, the council could add the figure to the 2019-2020 budget reading.

Council member Katie Cheesbrough told the council that the Carbon County Supervisor of Weed and Pest asked if a fuel tank could be on put their property. Stephenson said there was a county shop up the road that would be better suited.

Council member Liz Swynarczuk said the Jake Brake signs needed to be replaced with signs indicating engine brakes inside town limits are prohibited. Stephenson said the signs did not seem to make much difference, but understood the need.

Swynarczuk said having the signs would help if law enforcement came to town.

A motion was approved to purchase three signs saying “engine brakes prohibited’.

Stephenson voiced frustration that drivers of these large trucks did not pay attention to not braking and that the noise was detrimental to the town’s peace.

“There is one truck in particular that comes through twice a day,” Stephenson said. “When he comes down that hill, you can hear him a mile-and-a half away.”

Highway Patrol cannot enforce a town ordinance, so the town has little chance of stopping the trucks from breaking the law.

“It is super dangerous,” Cheesbrough said.

Ordinance 225, the fiscal year budget 2019-2020 was approved in its first budget reading.

The next regular scheduled meeting of the Riverside Town Council is at 6 p.m. on May 9 at the Riverside Town Hall.