Burns Town Council approved hiring Wyoming Engineering Consultant LLC to monitor test wells at the old landfill site during council’s May 26 regular meeting.
Mayor Vernon Testerman told council the company submitted an estimate of $28,082 which includes necessary testing and monitoring for four quarters. He added council had the choice of going with that bid or getting other quotes for the work. As the company has already drilled four test wells and is drilling a fifth at no charge, Councilwoman Judy Johnstone made a motion to accept the bid. The town will be reimbursed for 75 percent of the cost of the project by the Department of Environmental Quality.
Troy Decker, representing Laramie County School District No. 2, discussed with council members the taking over of one or two old elementary school buildings in town. Decker said the district’s facilities committee wanted to ensure the plan to transfer the buildings was done according to the rules set by the state of Wyoming. Councilman Phil Oakes told Decker that council has come up with several ideas as to how the transfer can be handled and inquired about a member of council making a presentation of such to the district board of trustees. Decker said it may be too soon for that but he will make inquiry about a council member attending a meeting of the facilities committee.
A list of maintenance work needing done about town was listed. It was asked that the cemetery be mowed, Main Street lights be in working order, notices be placed asking residents to mow yards and empty lots, and a light pole be replaced by Burns Day. In addition, Oakes noted he has received calls saying Third Street is a mess. He added he was told it was the school district’s responsibility to fix that street. It was also mentioned work was needed on Jackson Street.
Oakes made a request of Testerman to meet with town employees prior to becoming mayor. Oakes is set to be sworn in at council’s meeting on June 8. Testerman said he did not have a problem with Oakes’ plan.
A report was given concerning the Ambulance Board meeting. Concerns with the dispatch center were addressed with Lt. Glen Crumpton from the County Communication Center. Crumpton is willing to help the town with issues as they arise and asked to be directly informed of any problems.
The town will have its EMS dinner on June 9 at the Rock Ranch Grill to honor its EMS personnel. Council agreed to cover the cost of the dinner as it had in the past. Councilwoman Jan Gray reported the ambulance has been repaired and is back in service. She added the service has received a couple grants for training.
Town clerk Toni McNamar told council application had been made for the Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant in the amount of $21,000. If the grant is received it will be used, along with $1,081 from the ambulance service, for training and updated ambulance equipment.
Utility Board president Leon Pierce told council a pre-bid meeting was held for the First and Fourth street and Wyoming Avenue sewer projects. He said hydrants will be put east of County Road 149.
In addition, the sewer line west of Main Street on First Street will be replaced. The bids will have an amendment for replacement of the 120 feet of clay sewer line on Luther Avenue if there is enough funding for it.
Pierce asked council that the town pay half the landfill fees for the town clean-up. Council approved the request. Remaining dates for clean-up are: June 4 through 6 at First Street and Wyoming Avenue and June 8 through 12 at Second Street and Washington.
Town marshal Nick Dotter brought several items before council, starting with the need for lots around town to be mowed and cleaned up.
Dotter presented a list of signs and barricades he would like to purchase for use in controlling traffic for Burns Day (June 13) and other upcoming events. He added the purchase of all but two signs could be paid for with Homeland Security funds. The total cost of the signs is $4,678.84 of which the town will pay $93. Council approved his request.
Dotter also reported the patrol truck was in need of new tires. Purchase of tires not to exceed a cost of $1,000 was approved.
Dotter told council the people handling the beer garden for the Burns Day celebration have yet to contact him concerning that activity. He said if he does not hear from them he will not be able to allow the beer garden.
Dotter’s final three items of discussion with council centered around the town’s children. He reported he will be attending several trainings throughout the summer months including one for the DARE program. He said the high school would like to see the DARE program in the school and he would also like to get the Alive at 25 program in the high school as well. Dotter said he is seeing problems with some of the local kids in town, adding parents need to know where their children are and what they are doing.
The next meeting of town council is June 8 at 7 p.m. During the meeting, Oakes will be sworn in as mayor along with incumbents Gray and Harvey Humphrey. As he will be vacating a council seat to fill the position as mayor, Oakes asked McNamar to post a notice for anyone wanting to take his seat on council to contact McNamar at 547-2206.