Town council address water agreement with rural districts

Tuesday night, the Thermopolis Town Council had in attendance Cameron Burrows and Chandler Maddock with Boy Scout Troop 5020. The scouts were observing the meeting as part of earning their citizenship and community merit badges.

Town Engineer Heath Overfield presented a letter regarding a request from the South Thermopolis Water & Sewer District (STWSD) to rescind a water pipeline agreement between the Town of Thermopolis, Owl Creek Water District and STWSD. Overfield explained in 2012 South Thermopolis requested the Town of Thermopolis assist in establishing a water line to deliver higher water pressure.

Under the agreement, Owl Creek would install a section of line from 12th Street along the edge of town to about the western town limit. From that location, South Thermopolis hooked on and the pipe continued southward to the Cedar Ridge Tank.

Under the agreement, the Town of Thermopolis would take over the section installed by Owl Creek a year after the project was completed, and the warranty period had run out. The same would apply to the section installed by South Thermopolis.

South Thermopolis finished their section last June, Overfield noted, so the warranty period would be up this June. He further explained with the completion of the project and the changes the Town has made to water rates, as well as taking on a large USDA loan, Big Horn Regional was asked to look at feeding water through the Owl Creek system, and South Thermopolis requested the town rescind the agreement so South Thermopolis could keep their section of pipe.

The agreement was entered into originally to address issues with Cedar Ridge, and Overfield noted taking into account the condition of the Cedar Ridge tank — which might last another 10 years — the availability of high pressure water to the area through a pipe the town owns and the possibility of getting rid of the pump station near the middle school, he would not recommend rescinding the agreement at this point.

Council indicated it was for not rescinding the agreement, and Council Attorney Mike Messenger said he would send a letter to that effect. No formal action was necessary.

Overfield also noted there has been a study on potential properties for the solid waste transfer station. An executive session to further discuss the pros and cons of each property is planned prior to council’s March 7 meeting.

Town Engineer Anthony Barnett gave a brief presentation, informing the board they are working through the environmental review process of the State Revolving Funds (SRF) loan application. The money would be put toward the water line replacement project.

Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle reported a new control panel has been installed at the water plant. They were back online, he said, and will be back in business after a few tweaks.

Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby spoke with regard to the upcoming solar eclipse. Should the town receive the number of people expected — some estimates have been 6,000 or more — Crosby said there will likely be people in campers around town and he recommended there be a grace period for that to happen or law enforcement would be overworked with “running people out.”

Mayor Mike Mortimore recommended there be no vacations for town employees or police around the time of the eclipse, and Police Chief Steve Shay noted he has already stated there are to be no vacations during the weeks before, of or after the event.

Crosby said there is also concern on water demands, so it might be prudent to look at lawn watering restrictions as well. Crosby plans to attend meetings regarding the eclipse to provide information to council.

Mayor Mortimore noted during a recent work session there was discussion to create a change in policy and establish a pay rate for those called in for emergencies. The topic of pay rates has been a hot one at recent meetings, with concerns raised about overtime and holiday pay. Council agreed to implement the change in policy, with a formal presentation at a later meeting.

Councilman Dusty Lewis further requested Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Van Heule provide monthly overtime reports for the next three months.

Also during the meeting, a resolution was presented which would limit the amount of money which could be used from cash reserve, in light of revenue fluctuations. The resolution states the governing body of the Town of Thermopolis would direct a General Fund Reserve Policy be adopted.

Under the policy, the town shall increase and then maintain a General Fund Reserve equivalent to six months of the annual General Fund expense and shall only be reduced to below three months in emergency circumstances.

Action on the resolution is expected at the Feb. 21 town council meeting.