Saratoga Town Council talks parks

With the green grass, and the meadowlark song our thoughts turn to landscaping.

First on the April 18 town council agenda was the Saratoga Museum Director Dana Davis addressed the town council concerning the landscaping care at the museum. Davis said that “Ty Brinar volunteered over 30 hours last year to fix the sprinkler system and get the grass looking nice for the community’s use of the pavilion for events”.  Ty Brinar is a member of Wyoming Grounds Keeper and Grower Association (WGGA).   Davis told the town council that she did appreciate the town mowing the grass last year, however each time they mowed, sprinkler heads were broken or spots were scalped by the mower. The museum had to replace sprinkler heads every time after the town mowed. The Saratoga Historical and Cultural Association is a non profit organization that is on an extremely tight budget and can’t afford to keep replacing sprinkler heads after each mowing.  The town council agreed and said they understood the concerns and welcomed having to do less work while also saving the town money. The town council approved the removal of the Saratoga Museum from the town of Saratoga groundskeeping request for proposal (RFP). 

REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTS

Town Hall

Mayor Chuck Davis informed the town council and public that the Never Forget Park - latest and greatest design (is the final design of the park) WLC Engineering came up with, a few changes were made.  Curb appeal - took out a couple bumper stops that made it difficult for snow plowing and that is the final draft of the plan. They came back with an engineering estimated cost on it.  The mayor said he wasn’t going to share the estimated cost because that’ll give people an idea of what they can bid on it. 

Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis visited with Joe Parsons, District Manager of Saratoga Encampment Rawlins Conservation District (SERCD).  Parsons approved the final design and it was sent to Stacy Crimmins. 

Mayor Davis asked the council if they wanted to go to bid or do they want to wait and see where the budget lies. Davis suggested the council take a hard look at the budget first. 

Council approved the set of plans of WLC. 

Police Department

Saratoga Chief of Police Mike Morris told the Council that traffic enforcement will increase because more people will be active outside with the warmer weather. There are complaints of people driving faster than they should in various parts of town. 

Chief Morris said that shifts for patrols and dispatchers will be changed to have higher coverage in times of higher need.  

Fire Department

Fire Department Treasurer Creed James informed the council that the fire department completed resubmission of Insurance Service Office (ISO) survey, it is missing the hydrant testing (will be completed when the weather gets better). An ISO fire rating is a score provided to fire departments and insurance companies by the Insurance Services Office. 

Invoice for bills approved by the town council included a contact for the repeater up the water towers and fire department. That cost was split with South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) for $2,799.00.  The fire department is working on their budget for fiscal year 23-24.  The 100th anniversary of the fire department is coming up at Platte Valley Community Center at the end of July.  

They are working with Lions Club for Bull Fest 2023 on August 26  at 7 p.m. at Buck Springs.  

Recreation Department 

Recreation Director Sarah Laughlin reported to the town council that youth basketball finished their season. The Recreation department is currently looking for fitness instructors to provide exercise classes to the public.

The color run was last Saturday with 80 participants and 15 volunteers for the event. Clean up of the pool will start on Monday the 24th at 10 a.m.  Those from the public interested in helping are welcome. 

Purchase requisition request for pool chemical supplies in the amount of $2,294.79 was approved by the town council. All chemicals on the list will be reimbursed by Carbon County School District #2 rec board grant. 

Registration for the upcoming baseball season is now available. 

Recreation Director Sarah Laughlin gave her letter of resignation to the council which will go into effect on Sunday, May 7 that corresponds to the end of the pay period. She was grateful to have the opportunity to work for the town of Saratoga. She wanted to thank the employees that she has enjoyed working with, the recreation commission members, and the several volunteers that helped the department during her time there. Laughlin said, it has been her pleasure to contribute to the changes and growth in the recreation department with activities already in existence when she took the position and in the additional activities she helped bring to the recreation department. She offers her best wishes for the continued success of the department and offers her contact information to help provide a smooth transition for the new recreation director hired for the position.  The town council thanked Sarah for her service and she will be sincerely missed.

Department of Public Works 

Town council member Jerry Flutty informed the board that the heaters are all in at the hot pool along with insulation. Chip sealing will be done at the Valley Village Daycare and the Brush Creek Road. There are going to be other streets around town where chip sealing/hot patching will be done. 

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REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Water and Sewer Joint Power Board

Council member Jacob Fluty informed the council that the Myrtle Lift Station upgrade will be done by the town. The town is currently looking at a new lift station and tank. A dIscharge pump needs to be replaced with a larger pump and discharge hose. The next meeting is May 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM at the PVCC

Planning Commission

Mayor Chuck Davis informed the council that the Planning Commission received a letter of Interest to be a board member from Nancy Ford. Per statute the Mayor couldn’t appoint her to the board on Tuesday. According to planning commission bylaws, it’s got to be advertised for two weeks first. The position has been advertised for one week in the paper going into the meeting. The next meeting is May 9, 2023 at 5:30 PM at the Town Hall Council Chambers

Recreation Commission

Councilman Kathy Beck, board member of the Recreation Commission, informed the council that the Recreation Commission is looking to hire more lifeguards. The goal is to have the pool opened on June 1, depending on what happens with high water during flood season. The next meeting is May 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall Council Chambers

Saratoga Airport Advisory Board

Mayor Chuck Davis informed the council that the new engineers hired from Armstrong Consultants will be at the next meeting to update the public.

Next meeting is May 8th, 2023 at 3:30 PM at the Town Hall Council Chambers

South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services Board

Next meeting is May 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Hanna Fire Station

The 4th Quarter Ambulance Service Payment of $12,675.00 was approved by the town council to pay this amount to South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services Board (SCWEMS).  There will be a retirement celebration for Dr. Duane Abels.  

SCWEMS is hosting an open house in Encampment on May 20, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m.  

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Davis reported that 2 bids were received for park maintenance. One from Sanchez Lawn and Maintenance for $42,450.00 and one from Anthony Gonzales for $36,960.00. Town council members agreed to interview both bidders before making a decision. 

Mayor Davis told the council that the emergency management team held their meeting about flooding and the county sandbagging machine should be in Saratoga sometime next week after Baggs is finished with it. Lenny Layman,the Emergency Manager for Carbon County, will be in command and the town of Saratoga will work under him. Layman will be responsible for notifying the public if and/or when a response from the public is needed for volunteering for sandbagging or action is required for flood management if water reaches flood levels. This information will be made to the public by radio.