During Monday night’s meeting of Burns Town Council a three-step plan was agreed on to try to enforce good behavior of those who are using the Main Street Park.

For several meetings, town marshal Nick Dottor has expressed his concerns to council about youths acting inappropriately in the park. The restrooms have been "trashed," crude words carved in the gazebo, children have been seen climbing the light posts, and are running in the street without paying attention to traffic.

"Parents need to get involved," Dotter said Monday night, adding he had pinpointed a few youths and would be addressing the issue with their parents.

"We are fearful for the safety of our children," councilwoman Judy Johnstone said, addressing the concern of council.

Seeking a way to further handle the problem, council agreed on a three-pronged attack on the problem. Step one is the sending out of fliers with utility bills as reminders that parents need to keep tabs on  

their children and that the parent is liable should any damage be done to town property. The second step is gathering names of offenders and confronting them along with their parents. The third step would be the issuance of a citation.

Dottor also reported on issues of theft from town businesses. He said five arrests have been made in the last few weeks. Cameras were installed and helped in the apprehension of the thieves. Dottor said additional cameras for the town are to be installed and the first will be at the community center. Surveillance of the park will be done with the cameras which he said should help with enforcement of problems with the youths.

Another police issue was also a hot topic at the start of the meeting. Parking problems during Burns Day caused one resident to attend council demanding an apology from Dottor on the lack of parking and assistance to the handicapped attending the event.

Dottor said the problems brought to his attention on Burns Day were resolved. Mayor Phil Oakes added parking would be on the list of things to address as a committee is formed for next year’s event.

"On behalf of the town I would like to apologize to anyone who had parking issues on Burns Day," Oakes said. "They were addressed as best we could and will be next year."

Johnstone asked if the town had appropriate signage to help alleviate the problem. Dottor said the town did not and was authorized to purchase what is needed for Burns Day and other future town events.

It was also requested town maintenance personnel be on duty to assist with Burns Day in the future. Oakes appointed councilman Jeff Bartels to sit on the Burns Day committee to help in whatever way he can and ensure the issues brought to light this year are solved prior to next year’s celebration.

Oakes again offered thanks to those who helped with Burns Day and asked anyone with comments, concerns and suggestions to let the town know and come prepared with solutions.

In his report to council, Oakes requested an executive session to discuss personnel and land. Following the executive session held later in the evening, council approved the appointment of Monique Ojeda as town attorney.

Oakes asked that a consent agenda be included in future meeting agendas. Items such as the approval of voucher payments, minutes of previous meetings and the treasurer’s report would appear on the consent agenda and could be approved as one item – the major difference from a regular agenda. Council agreed with the stipulation any item could be removed and placed on the regular agenda if needed.

Council discussed the implementation of a reward system for town employees. Oakes will be developing a proposal for council to consider.

Discussion about fireworks for the Fourth of July resulted in council standing by the town ordinance forbidding any fireworks in town. While the town has had rain recently it was pointed out the area dries out fast and there is a danger of fire.

"Until we have a safe place to go, we should discourage it," councilwoman Jan Gray said.

Oakes announced he will be working on having a fireworks display in 2010 at the high school football field.

Johnstone gave a report about the recent Wyoming Association of Municipalities convention she attended. All eight of the measures before WAM passed, including one her fellow council members asked her to vote against. That measure seeks to allow the passage of taxes a tenth of a percent rather than a half or whole percent.

Johnstone also announced she had been elected to serve on the WAM executive board.

"I am astounded and humbled at the enthusiasm that was shown," she said. She will take office July 1.

Dealing with business items, council agreed to change the pay periods for town employees to every two weeks rather than twice per month. This puts all employees on an 80 hour pay period.

Two ordinances were approved on first reading. Both were updates to ordinances to put the town in compliance with the state. Ordinance 8A.18 deals with parking regulations and Ord. 14A.01(a) concerns licensing of pool halls, tables for rent and bowling alleys.

The town compost facility is ready for use. Grass clippings should go inside the fencing and tree limbs outside the fence.

An update of sorts was given via e-mail on the possible transfer of the old school to the town. Troy Decker informed the town the school facilities commission will not allow the school district to purchase new kitchen equipment for the new elementary building. This will necessitate the move of equipment from West Elementary School to the new building. As such the district was told to seek permission from the town, the state health department and the state fire marshal to cook meals in the new kitchen starting at the beginning of the coming school year and transport meals to WES and the high school until the students are moved into the new building. Council agreed they have nothing in place to address occupancy and so indicated they would not object to the plan.

Decker also indicated in the e-mail that a decision about the property transfer would also be several months in the future.

The next meeting of Burns Town Council is set for July 13 at 7 p.m. at the community center.