Figures proposed for East Thermopolis services

by Mark Dykes

Tuesday evening, Thermopolis Town Council approved proposals of $25,000 and $30,000, for the Thermopolis Police Department to provide services to East Thermopolis. Currently, East Thermopolis pays $22,680 for police and animal control. The $25,000 figure is for law enforcement only, and the $30,000 is for both services.

Should East Thermopolis decline the proposals, it would mean less income for the town. Additionally, Police Chief Steve Shay noted, the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office would then become the primary enforcement agency for East Thermopolis, though the police department could be requested to respond to incidents on their behalf until a deputy arrived.

In other action, council approved a motion to allow Bangkok Thai restaurant to have three tables, each with two seats, in front of the restaurant. Council was assured the tables would not block the sidewalk.

A motion was approved to change the lights and add some signage for the veterans tree in Bicentennial Park. Meri Ann Rush said the tree currently has Christmas lights on it, and if it is a veterans tree the lights should be red, white and blue. Rush also noted there should be a marker so people know it is a veterans tree.

Mayor Mortimore noted the tree was recognized as a veterans tree when the first soldiers returned home from Operation Desert Storm and yellow ribbons were tied on the branches.

A couple motions regarding street closures were approved for Saturday, June 24 for 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and for 9 p.m. to midnight. The closures are for the upcoming PRCA Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous Rodeo, for the parade and the street dance.

Tawna McQueen explained the parade route will be the same as it has been the past four or five years. The staging area will be along Sixth Street, south of Shoshoni, and the route will be north along Sixth to Broadway, then east along Broadway to the VFW. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. McQueen also requested the north side of Broadway be blocked off from parking, as vehicles there might spook the bucking horses being run.

The street dance follows the final rodeo performance the night of June 24, and the approved closure is for the north side of Broadway, from Town Hall to the stoplight. This leaves the south side open for emergency vehicles to get through. It was also noted that businesses along Broadway are welcome to stay open during the dance if they choose. Another motion for the dance was approved, to waive open container laws from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Another street closure was approved for the Eugene P. Smith estate auction, 10 a.m. Sunday, June 3. Ron Jurovich explained the residence is near the end of Fifth, toward Park, and since the yard is small, there would be more people in the street than anywhere else. In the interest of public safety, he requested barricades be placed in the alley and at Park.

A preliminary reading of the 2017-18 budget was approved, to allow time for councilmembers time to look it over and come to the next meeting with any questions and in-depth discussion.

An addendum to the water agreement with the South Thermopolis Water and Sewer District, which will allow the town to open the valve on the Reda Pump line as a second and supplemental source of water.

A second reading was approved for an ordinance which makes operating hours and days uniform for all liquor licenses. The new ordinance reads any licensees may open a dispensing room no earlier than 6 a.m. and close the room and cease sale of alcoholic beverages no later than 2 a.m. the next day. Licensees shall clear the dispensing room and permitted premises of all persons other than employees no later than 2:30 a.m.

Councilmember Dusty Lewis was approved for the Economic Development Corporation Board, and councilmember Bill Malloy was approved for the golf board.

Council also heard from County Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Gordon regarding possible issues as the result of higher river flows. Currently, due to increased inflow to Boysen Reservoir, it is predicted the Wind River will see flows of 8,000 cubic feet per second or more.

Among issues Gordon spoke of are the storm drains being underwater. What this means is during the rainstorms typically seen in June and July, that water has no place to go. Gordon said the town should consider its options. During a regular storm season, the sewers could be pumped out, but that’s not possible if they’re constantly filling with water.

Gordon also spoke of the Sixth Street bridge, noting if the bridge is lost it could result in loss of any utilities under it. Also, he noted, if the bridge were to go at once it could roll and become a dam. He suggested looking at how much the bridge is used, and cutting part of the bridge out to provide relief so, if it rolls, the water could still flow through.

Another area of concern, Gordon said, is the railroad underpass. He presented the possibility of high river flows resulting in later movement of water, to drain into the underpass.

Later in the meeting, Town Engineer Anthony Barnett spoke to the issues presented. He recommended there not be anything done which could impact the bridge on Sixth Street. A water line does run under the bridge, though that line could be isolated so water could still be provided if it is damaged.

With regard to the underpass, Barnett said it actually belongs to the State Park. He was unsure of what exactly is done when the water flows into it, and suggested the underpass might be closed if water becomes an issue. Barnett also recommended dealing with the flooded storm drain if it happens, and advised against installing a backflow prevention valve, as it could lead to higher pressure and drain damage.