Encampment drones on

The Encampment Town Council had a busy agenda for their October 14 meeting.

The possibility of a police drone was one topic of attention. Mother Mountain Anglers and Encampment Preschool Director Rachel Swanson were in attendance as well.

Other guests included Carbon County Commissioners Travis Moore and Carbon County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman who were in attendance to give the council an opportunity to clarify any questions they may have about the proposed fire district.

Drones

Police Chief Kevin Shue requested permission from the town council to participate in a grant partnership with Carbon County Emergency Management (CCEM). The grant would be to procure two separate drones capable of infrared and thermal imaging. One drone would belong to the Encampment Police Department and the other would belong to CCEM. It was explained the cost of two drones was less for both parties than if either party tried to purchase a single drone separately.

Shue used the recent manhunt in Encampment as an example of why the new technology was needed. Having only one officer to cover such a large area can be complicated in an emergency situation.

“Having such advanced technology would make it much simpler and faster to apprehend a suspect if anything like this were to occur again,” said Shue.

Though Encampment is a small town, and has only one police officer, recent events have shown the need to be prepared is relevant. Recent drug arrests in the Valley have increased along with car chases coming out of Colorado using back roads.

Councilmember Bill Craig raised the question as to why Encampment should participate in the grant with CCEM. It was explained again the grant for two drones would cost less than a single drone. Shue added he had approached CCEM with the grant partnership possibility, because the new technology was needed in the Valley. The drones could be utilized in multiple ways such as search and rescue operations and fire hot spot detection.

The Encampment Town Council gave Shue permission to apply for the grant partnership, contingent upon CCEM’s approval from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners.

Fire District

Moore and Layman gave the town council the opportunity to ask questions about the proposed fire district.

The council and guests discussed previously proposed and currently operating fire districts and the pros and cons of both. The town council decided their current fire chief needed to be consulted on what the town should do regarding the fire district. The council also discussed speaking to the current members of the Encampment Volunteer Fire Department.

Winter Carnival

Josh Craig of Mother Mountain Anglers asked the council if the organization could be more involved in preparations for the annual Sierra Madre Winter Carnival. J. Craig said Mother Mountain Anglers had been the majority of the volunteer force for the carnival in the past and they would like to take a more direct role in the operations.

Town clerk Doreen Harvey informed the council planning for the Sierra Madre Winter Carnival had already begun with community member Alyx Munson. The town council agreed to let Mother Mountain Anglers work in partnership with Munson on the carnival. J. Craig said Mother Mountain Anglers had hoped for a more involved role in the carnival and he would speak to their board about the partnership and return to the next meeting.

Encampment Preschool

Swanson wanted to thank the Encampment Town Council for their donation to Encampment Preschool for tuition of preschool students. Encampment Preschool is one of the few preschools in Wyoming to offer tuition free preschool.

The next meeting of the Encampment Town Council will be at 7 p.m. on November 11 at the Encampment Town hall.