Medicine Bow closeted

The Medicine Bow Town Council met November 14 at the Community Hall. 

Mark Davidson from Sunrise Engineering (Sunrise) said there had been a meeting with the Council and the contractor a few weeks ago to talk about the streets project. He said Sunrise would try to schedule a meeting with Clayton Bohr, the representative of the manufacturer of the polymer which had been laid down on the town’s roads over the summer. The polymer is not working the way the town had been told.

All parties involved are working to rectifying the situation. Town Attorney Robert Piper said he visited with Sunrise Engineering and Oftedal–the contractor for the streets project. Sunrise acknowledged there had been defects on the project. 

Concerning the Emergency Closet the town is looking into creating, Councilmember Lucy Schofield said it could eventually be certified by the Red Cross. The closet would be located upstairs at the Community hall in the center room. It would start with a supply of blankets, pillows and coats. Churches are willing to help.

Schofield also indicated more shelves are needed. Resident Trevor Strauch said he would donate them. The Council approved the emergency closet to be housed in the Community Hall.

There were some questions from the audience about Ordinance 3-2022 whic amends Ordinance No. 19.5.104, Base Charge for All Property Parcel. 

Resident Frank Fisher said he didn’t understand the intent of the ordinance. Fisher said if he let the fee on his parcel accumulate to $200, the Town would put a lien on it and the fee would cease to accumulate. He pointed out it would be cheaper to do this than pay a fee every month. If he decided to sell the property, he could just pay the $200 to redeem it. Fisher said this ordinance wouldn’t be fair to the residents who paid every month. 

Piper said the condition of the parcel had to be abandoned. The intent of the ordinance is to set a limit on fees, preventing endless debt accumulating on the property. It would easier to sell the property in the future without unending fees applied to it. 

Resident Alice Clark questioned if this was because people were asking the Town to waive liens in recent town council meetings. 

Mayor Sharon Biamon pointed out once the Town put a lien on a property, it became the Town’s and they couldn’t collect anything if the property was abandoned. 

Clark questioned; if a person paid taxes the first year on a property with a lien, shouldn’t it be up to them to research if there were liens on it?

Schofield said the fee stops accruing when a lien is put on the property.  

Biamon said no more past due lien bills would be forgiven after the ordinance passed on the third reading. 

During the discussion, Fisher asked if the Town would improve the roads so people on the west side had access to their properties. When the discussion ended, the Council approved the first reading of  Ordinance 3-2022.

Another discussion occurred when Resolution 2022-13, an authorization to apply for a grant for two quick rescue vehicles. 

Fisher asked what a quick rescue vehicle was.

Staten Mosby, Director of South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) explained it was smaller than an ambulance and was more cost effective because it was cheaper to outfit. The care provided by these vehicles was to sustain a person on the scene until a full ambulance could arrive. One would be kept in Elk Mountain and one in Encampment. Staffing requirements for this vehicle are less. It costs $5,000 to stock an ambulance, but only $1,200 to stock a quick rescue vehicle.

Piper asked if there was a grant match. Mosby said it was not required and the Town would not incur any financial liability. The Council approved the resolution.

Mayor Sharon Biamon said she and Treasurer/town clerk Karen Heath attended a workshop by the Wyoming Department of Audit. The newly legislated required training for finance directors and public officials was presented. The new training must be completed before July 1, 2023. Non-compliance would result in the Town receiving no monies from any source. Town attorney Robert Piper said if the Fire Department had any dealings with a fire district, they would also be required to take the training.

The next scheduled meeting will be at 7 p.m. on December 12 at the Community Hall.

Medicine Bow Town Council

Other Business

Resolution 2022-14 was approved authorizing the Marshal’s office to apply for a grant for the reimbursement of a police vehicle.

Public works

The bulk station is now fully operational.

Winter has put a halt to the fuel tank installation.

The new meters were in and testing would soon begin.

Town Marshal

There were 60 traffic stops, resulting in 56 citations.

There has been $377,729.00 in citations written in a little over two years.

The new Durango has been received.

The Tahoe will be the backup vehicle.

Medicine Bow Volunteer Fire Department

Fire Chief Robert Maddox and deputy marshal Chris Tirpak and his wife sponsored a Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Hall on November 23.

The Council offered to help and donations received went o to the Fire Department. There was one fire at a vacant house, which had been put out quickly.

Engine #2 will be replaced when impact money is received.

South Central Wyoming EMS

Carey Lake was appointed to represent Medicine Bow on the Board.

Certified responders are needed. EMRs in Medicine Bow can train, the class will be in one month. 

Medicine Bow Clinic

The clinic is doing well but will soon need a replacement for Adam Barron.