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Town will need new audit firm

At the December 7 Thermopolis Town Council meeting, during citizen participation, CPA Michael Wright presented the Town Audit to the council. Wright said the results were almost the same as last year. Wright also informed the council that he is retiring at the end of the year and that his firm will no longer be performing audits. Wright said he had some other entities he could refer to or recommend but also advised that the costs for auditing will increase. The council voted and passed approval to accept the audit.

Luke Anderson of Hub Insurance spoke to the council about the town’s property insurance. After discussion, the council voted and approved to switch their insurance to Continental Western Insurance.

Town engineer Anthony Barnett reported about the pay estimate for the chip seal project in the amount of $6,858.75 and requested the council’s approval and signature. Barnett also provided a change order for $11,810 for work on Amoretti Street. The council voted and approved the pay estimate and change order.

Barnett and Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle reported on the pending submittal of a DEQ Permit to Construct for a waterline replacement project with locations on upper Fremont Street, Peppermint Lane, Richards Street, and a loop on Clark, 8th, and Fremont Street.

It was noted that two leaks have been repaired in the last three weeks on the line in Fremont Street that is scheduled for replacement. Barnett and Slagle proposed replacing the sewer in Peppermint Lane during the waterline construction to address maintenance problems the Town is currently having to address every two weeks. It was also noted that if both water and sewer were replaced, completion of the work would likely require the entire street to be repaved and sections of curb/sidewalk to be replaced. The cost is roughly estimated to be $200,000 to $250,000. Mayor Mike Chimenti proposed that they fix it as it can be part of the water project with the DEQ. Assistant to Mayor Fred Crosby said that the depreciation fund can pay for it. The council voted and passed approval to add the section of the sewer replacement to the planned water project. 

Interim Chief of Police Pat Cornwell reported that he recently had an interview for a potential new hire for the police department. 

 

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