Old Town report

The Hanna Town Council met at 6 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Hanna Town Hall for their regularly scheduled meeting.

The agenda and minutes from the Oct. 8 regularly scheduled council meeting where approved. Bob Patton, Sammy Sikes and Linda Schisel were present. Council member Tracy Fowler was absent.

Patton told the council that the next Carbon County Council of Government meeting would be on Nov. 20. There was no meeting last month.

Marcia Beals, representative from the High Country Joint Powers board, said that the operation manager had resigned and that the assistant was leaving on Nov. 20.

Larry Korkow public works director said the cold snap had caused some meters to freeze. But the new meters were doing well in the cold. He said that one of the sander trucks was waiting for a chain. The chain had already been ordered and was in transit.

Korkow said 71 Construction was done with their work for the most part. He said public works was gearing up for winter weather.

David Sutter, manager of the water treatment plant, said winter was slowing down water usage.

“We used 4.3 million gallons in October, down from 7.7 million gallons in September,” Sutter said. “We only open the plant Monday, Wednesday and Friday and that is going pretty good.”

He said there had been a problem with a sensor but it had been taken care of. The cost had been $720.

Craig Kopasz from Engineering Associates reinforced that 71 Construction was done. He went over what had been completed on the streets.

Jon Nelson from North Fork Engineering said the work to test the ground material under the streets in Old Town was coming up with results that did have soft, sludgy soil, especially on Front Street. Nelson told them results were on the report he had put out.

Bob Patton said he knew the soil was corrosive from his experience in putting pipes in the ground. Nelson confirmed the soil had strongly corrosive elements. He said some ground areas had a lot of water and that they were monitoring levels.

Marshall Jeff Neimark said a juvenile had been apprehended on Halloween night in possession of marijuana. On the early morning of Nov. 2 the marshall’s office was called by the Sheriff to respond to a rollover four miles outside of town. After finding the two occupants, a field sobriety test was given to the driver by Neimark at request of the sheriff’s office.

The driver failed and was charged with a DUI. He said most people were complying with getting parked vehicles off the roads during snow. There was one resident he has had to cite after repeated warnings.

Vivian Gonzales, Recreation and Parks director told the council the food truck had come on Nov. 8 to the Hanna Recreation Center at 10 a.m. and served 368 individuals.

“It is getting bigger and bigger, but I am getting help from volunteers,” Gonzales said. “I thought with all the sports teams in playoffs, I would be shorthanded, but the FFA group came and helped as a community project.”

She said there would be a “Black Friday” sale on memberships. Gonzales said there was a coat drive at the recreation center collecting coats until Nov. 16. The following week will have people come in who needed coats. She said there would be a cookie decorating exchange. The Winter Carnival will take place Dec. 6. She said there will be a parade.

Buchanan said the South Central Wyoming Emergency Medicals Services had reported the board was hiring a supervisor for the north area. The board is still looking for a supervisor for the south.

Gonzales said the cemetery board had an opening.

CCVC representative Mike Armstrong said, in addition to going to monthly board meeting he had attended a focus group on tourism in the beginning of the month and a seminar by a national expert on tourism tailored specifically for Carbon County at the end of the month.

Patton said the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation monthly meeting had been delayed until after the holidays. He said there was chance it might be canceled this month.

The Hanna Housing Board said the last four units were close to being completed.

Pam Paulson, museum board member, said that fossils were found on Nancy Anderson’s property. Currently there are 33 items. The museum is considering taking them. Armstrong, public relations director, said he was trying to get bids for trailblazing signs for the museums. Once the cost is determined, grants for that amount will sought.

Paulson, town treasurer, said the state financial audit was in. She said it will be put up on their website for the public to view.

“I also went to the finance, personnel, manager, mayor, administrative type workshop in Saratoga,” Paulson said. “I had spoken with the department of audit reps that were there. They were very helpful.”

Ann Calvert, town clerk, said a loaner meter reader was working well. The town is waiting for their meter reader to get done with repairs.

After the board reports were approved, the council approved the financials.

The 3rd and final reading of Ordinance 386 was read aloud by Buchanan. It was an ordinance amending Section 13.04.50 (C) and Section 13.08.40 (C) of the Hanna Municipal Code to increase the rates of water tap fees and sewer tap fees. This increase only affects new water and sewer taps. The prior tap fees did not cover the cost of installation because they had been written long ago.

The renewal of the discharge permit for sewer lagoons was approved. The mayor’s signature to this permit was approved. The permit is good for five years and is $500.

The council approved change No. 4 for the Elmo, Old Town Water Replacements Project and afterwards approved paying App. No. 9 submitted by 71 Construction for the Elmo, Old Town Water Distribution Replacements Project.

The last item of business was approving the resignation of Jamie Bridge from the Cemetery Board.

The next scheduled meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Hanna Town Hall.