Paula Dennis wanted to clear the air at Burns’s town council meeting Monday. Dennis has submitted a resignation from her post as head over Burns Youth Recreation. One point she made crystal clear — she is not quitting because of the children she has been or is working with.
"It is harder each year to find volunteers," she told members of council.
Dennis has been organizing youth sports in the Burns and Carpenter areas for 14 years. She said while she appreciates all the town is doing to make the job easier — new sheds for equipment storage included - she needs "to have a life with my husband."
A sour note came when she expressed that she was offended by comments by Mayor Phil Oakes and councilwoman Judy Johnstone. Both apologized and expressed their desire to have Dennis continue in the post if she wanted to.
Dennis noted the many hours of work she has put in, adding the burn-out she is feeling is "not with the kids, it is with finding volunteers" and with confusion over who has the right to grant access for activities at the old West Elementary School.
For now, Dennis said an arrangement has been made for a person to take over the post in Carpenter.
Dennis was again thanked for her work for the town’s children and applauded by those in attendance at the meeting.
In another agenda request, Lisa Romsa with Diamonds in the Rough Daycare informed council of the possibility of opening a branch of her 12-year-old daycare business in Burns. She is looking to gauge the interest of parents in the area to utilize a pre-school and daycare for children aged 4 months to 12 years. The business includes before and after school and summer programs. Fliers will be posted around Burns for those who would be interested in the daycare opening in Burns to get a phone number for more information. Council talked with Romsa about lease options during an executive session after the regular meeting.
The final visitor at the meeting to address council was Steve Peiffer of Circle S Aviation LLC. The company has had the contract for spraying the towns pine trees for pine bark beetles for the past several years. Peiffer told council there is no evidence of the beetle in town, but outside of town the beetle is taking on 10- and 15-year-old trees rather than the older mature trees normally infested. He said the beetle is exhausting its food source and is moving on to the Ponderosa Pine.
"No pine is safe," he added.
Council agreed to have Circle S Aviation spray pine trees in town. Anyone wanting trees in their yard added to the work order is asked to contact town hall by March 1. As soon as a weather window opens spraying will be completed.
During public comments, Clarence Steege put out a plea for assistance with Burns Day, which is set for June 12.
"It will take more than five people to get this done," he said. "I think the residents are a little lax in helping out. Jeff (councilman Bartels) is doing a good job getting things organized."
Steege said the day being planned will be abbreviated from former events, but many activities are still n the agenda including a car show, parades, tractor races, and a craft show.
"It will be a lot different than last year," he assured referring to problems with last year’s event.
"Most everything is set up, we just need some help," he concluded.
Later in the meeting Bartels said the organizational team needs help with manpower for the actual event - traffic control, setting up and tearing down and general work crews. The next meeting of the Burns Day committee is set for March 8 at 6 p.m. at the community center. All who are interested in helping with the event are encouraged to attend.
In his report to council, Oakes announced the transfer of the West elementary buildings has been put off by Laramie County School District until the end of March. That equates to a delay of a month.
Oakes reported the estimate to repair problems on Main Street is roughly $324,700. Oakes said this estimate is not a job order, but only "a sophisticated estimate" of the cost to repair curb and gutter, seal joints, paint lines and investigate why a portion of the cement road is sinking.
"They are not glaring problems, but one section has settled and it shouldn’t be," he said. "We need to get it up and verify all the storm sewer work is okay."
The estimate does not include any work that could be needed should problems with the storm sewer be found.
A project the town is seeking to complete is making its way through the Wyoming Legislature as part of a Water Omnibus Bill. Senate File 37 was introduced Monday and was headed to the agriculture committee following unanimous approval on Monday. The project will make money available for a new water storage tower to be constructed in Burns.
Council approved the donation of 30 trees from Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power. Oakes said the town has to choose sites, which have dedicated water systems and help dig the holes for planting.
Council also approved a request by Burns art students to paint a mural on a town building.
Johnstone updated council on the Wyoming Business Council grants the town has applied for. The latest - for $250,000 - has been looked over by the WBC and is said to "look great." The money will be used in part to replace all the light bulbs in town-owned buildings and streetlights with energy efficient lighting. Johnstone said the town has to submit as statement indicating the contractor replacing the bulbs will be responsible for the disposal of the old bulbs.
Under old business, council voted on a first reading of an ordinance which will repeal Ord. 14D.01 which requires businesses in Burns to close on Sundays.
In new business, council read and approved by roll call vote a resolution approving the closure of the railroad grade crossing on North Main Street upon completion and opening to traffic of a railroad overpass.
Utility board president Leon Pierce reported on several contracts the board is working on. A bid from Merrill for the work on the North Main Street sewer project is approved. Main Street overage funds will be used to pay for that project.
Contracts are in place for water line placement at Burns High School with work to be done in March.
A June start date is anticipated for the 2nd Street project which will see the installation of four-inch water lines. Pierce said they are waiting for permits from the Department of Environmental Quality. The project will go out for bid in April with the stipulation that the award of the contract will not be made until money is in place for the project.
Pierce said he continues to attempt contact with officials at Union Pacific concerning a utility easement. Thus far he has had no response from the railroad to his inquiries.
Lastly, Pierce informed council the board will be going over ordinances dealing with utilities and will present recommended changes to council.
There being no further business council adjourned into executive session.
The next meeting of Burns Town Council will be Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at the community center. The town’s long-range planning committee will also meet that night at 6 p.m. at the community center. Everyone is encouraged to attend both meetings.
