TNT Forest Products retains mill lease

Encampment Town Council was in session September 9 and first on the agenda was Brush Creek Ranch and their planned unit development (PUD) on Green Mountain.

The community and council hope to make it clear to involved protection agencies that it is a cumulative project and not an individual unit.

The PUD is in the Encampment watershed protected area, which the town defends. Citing multiple red flags already in the process by the developer, as well as lack of inspections at the site, the Town of Encampment is concerned.

North Fork Engineering’s Jon Nelson said, “The level of scrutiny seems to have been less when compared to other subdivision projects with less potential impact outside of a watershed protection area. It’s been frustrating, a lot of emotion has been involved in the discussion, but a lot of valid points have been dismissed as well.”

Mayor Greg Salisbury, “This is a unique situation because it is affecting a municipal watershed, we are all for private property rights as long as it doesn’t affect anyone downstream.”

Commissioner Byron Barkhurst told the town council and public he was available anytime for a chat regarding information on the matter in order to help him make an informed decision.

“I think this needs the most scrutiny of anything I’ve encountered in my service,” said Barkhurst.

Moving on to public guests, Lela Koneceny took the floor for Meriwether Timber, continuing a request for a change of lease for the Encampment Mill. Presenting a full binder business plan to the town council instead of a PowerPoint at this meeting, Konecny was also joined by Catherine O’Neill, business partner and Merriweather representative. Though giving the council an opportunity to ask both women questions, Konecny held the floor for one minute and 40 seconds before the council moved on to other business.

The Grand Encampment Business Park lease saw much attention again at this month’s council meeting. TNT Forest Products was also in attendance to defend its position as leaseholder at the Encampment mill for three years thus far. The current leaseholder again stated vandalism had inhibited progress on getting things going as well as electricity problems.

TNT Forest Products stated they would like to grow within the industry and have the intention and full commitment to starting the mill and bringing jobs to Encampment. Having full confidence in their team, TNT Forest Products representative Tyrone Konecny stated “I don’t think we’ve even had a shot yet, the power is still dragging along.”

Councilmember Stas Banach said, “I’m at loss. Having a background in commercial construction, we have a deadline. I’m concerned we are just hearing about these delays now. What I’m frustrated with is these are things that have gone over months and months with no communication.”

Frustration was a theme of the night with Meriwether again stating their intention to give a business opportunity to Encampment.

“Over three years there was time to have this mill running, to have jobs started in Encampment. COVID didn’t stop the other mill from running, it didn’t stop electricians and inspections everywhere else,” said L. Konecny. “You have an opportunity to have a company get in and get going. That place (the mill) is still filthy, there’s still junk everywhere, nothing has been hauled out, it’s a mess. There has been no effort, no people, nothing going on, for three years. If you drive by it everyday sir you would see that.”

“We weren’t about to make vast investments into the start up of the mill, when we had no timeline given to us from the eclectic company,” said T. Konecny. “An actual set date for when machinery could be turned on.”

It should be noted the inspection for power was completed in the later part of 2020.

Councilman Bill Craig asked Tom James, who was also representing TNT Lumber why Carbon Power and Light wasn’t contacted.

“I didn’t even know the inspection was passed … I figured I would have gotten a phone call and I never got a phone call,” said James.

Banach again brought up his background in a similar line of work stating “If I was waiting on an inspection, I’d have to follow through. I’d be calling enough to be a nuisance. This is my frustration representing the town.”

O’Neill made a last bid to the town council stating her concern over TNT’s ability to pull through and start the mill.

“You may have to wait another three years to be in the same position, without a running mill still. We are willing to come in and get things moving as soon as possible. I’ve talked about having a public/private partnership, about how we can invest in the town as well as building housing for employees,” said O’Neill. “I would really encourage you to make a decision today not to waste the time and money of your constituents.”

Mayor Greg Salisbury wanted to head immediately to executive session after O’Neill spoke, though the council finished out the agenda for the night before entering executive session.

Ultimately, TNT Forest Products retained its lease for the mill. The next meeting of the Encampment Town Council will be at 7 p.m. October 7 at Encampment Town Hall.