Though time was set aside during Mondays Burns Town Council meeting for public comment regarding an increase of utility rates, no one showed up, save the usual meeting attendees. Those who were in attendance agree the rates needed to increase.

Mayor Judy Johnstone opened the floor for comments and polled those in the audience as to their opinion. Senior representative Betty Nusbaum said, “We most certainly need it.”

Utility board president Jim Clark said he has stated several times that the town is at a point if it had water main breaks there would not be money to fix it.

“We need to build reserves,” he insisted.

Johnstone said the town did receive two letters, one by e-mail and one dropped off in the utility drop box. The e-mailed letter was dealt with. She also noted a letter had been sent to the Pine Bluffs Post, which was later withdrawn. The letter received in the drop box was not signed but was read into the minutes of the meeting.

After reading that letter, Johnstone read a prepared statement intended to clear misconceptions about money being spent by the town on various projects. In the statement (provided in a sidebar), Johnstone notes most projects being done in town are being paid for with grant funds, not from the town coffers. Projects include the addition of a water tower, infrastructure improvements, energy efficiency work, fencing at the lagoon and monitoring equipment for the sewer system.

“If the town had to pay for ANY of these things, we simply could not,” Johnstone read.

After reading her statement, Johnstone asked if anyone had further comments, and added, “People are going to complain about money, but if they understand — we don’t have town money to spend on anything so we don’t. We get grants.”

A later vote to approve the rate increase by $8 overall was approved with yea votes from council members Ralph Bartels and Harvey Humphrey and Johnstone. Councilman Phil Oakes cast a no vote.

“I made a promise to the town when I was mayor and I will stick to it whether I agree it needs done or not,” he said in explanation.

Councilwoman Jan Gray was absent due to illness.

In the other public portion of the meeting, Lori Romsa, representing the Burns Booster Club asked council for permission for a project to boost school spirit. Romsa said the district has no cheerleaders due to insurance limitations. Signs have been posted to boost school spirit and now the boosters want to take it a step further.

“Many towns have painted mascot prints on the street,” Romsa said. “We would like to paint hoof prints on Fourth Street with asphalt paint. We will get a template, and the booster club or school will handle upkeep.”

The prints would be painted from Main Street to the new highway. Johnstone said she thought it was a fabulous idea and Humphrey moved to allow the painting to be done. Council approved the plan.

Johnstone presented a bid to council for cleaning of the hood system in the Around the Corner Café. The town agreed to do the first cleaning, with restaurant owner Sabrina Mathews taking over the chore thereafter. The hood system upgrade is completed and Mathews has been searching for a qualified contractor to handle the cleaning for nearly a year. All Fiber and Tile Carpet Cleaning turned in a bid of $425.

Fire marshal Charles Vosler questioned whether the company has provided documentation that they are certified to do the work. He advised council Mathews needs to get documentation before the contract is awarded.

Oakes made a motion to approve the bid provided proper documentation is provided to Johnstone and Vosler.

“I would rather get it done than continue with a potential fire hazard,” Oakes said.

Council approved the motion.

In council reports, Humphrey reported the repairs to the electric door at the front entrance to the Burns-Plex will be  done this week. Bartels announced the one way sign was put up on Jackson Street as requested.

Oakes told council he took radios to Cheyenne to program them to WyoLink.

Nusbaum reported that following talks to the Masons about the community center being converted for use as a post office, the building is going to remain a community center and the seniors will remain there as well.

“I had talked to Pam (Gross, postmaster) at one time about moving into north building, but she said no,” Johnstone said. “They can’t move into town-owned property so it couldn’t move into community center either.”

Nusbaum said she was still hoping to find some land to build a new post office. Several properties were suggested.

In new business, council agreed to allow purchases from Wyoming Surplus Property to be made by three town employees. Council also approved designating Wyoming Bank and Trust as the town’s depository for 2012 and WYO-STAR as the town reserve fund depository for 2012.

Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 1B.01(e), which was modified as requested to include a provision for council members to be officially excused from council meetings.

Oakes gave an ambulance board report saying a work session on standard operating procedure was suggested, but has not been set up yet. The board will be sending a letter asking to be part of the joint powers board, which gives the opportunity for grant funding and access to county EMS protocols and to medical staff.

The ambulance training officer has gone to Laramie County Community College for paramedic training. Jeff Bartels is stepping up to assist Scott Madison in training until the training officer returns.

“I want to extend big time kudos for volunteers on the ambulance service, got about a dozen there now; it’s a great group who gives a ton of their time,” Oakes said.

In a final item of business, Oakes asked for information to be gathered on the cable provider from Pine Bluffs. He suggested the town might want to talk to them about coming into Burns as trouble is happening with DISH and the ABC and Fox affiliates.

The next meeting of the Burns Town Council is set for Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Burns-Plex.

Statement on utility increase from mayor Judy Johnstone —