Commissioners hear Youth Alternatives update

The Hot Springs County Commissioners discussed for the last time the final preparations for the new county airport, set to open on Nov. 7.

The airport project, which formally began October 16, 2012, passed Wyoming Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division and Federal Aviation Administration inspections last week “with flying colors,” according to GDA engineer Jeremy Gilb.

Gilb added that the inspectors were “very impressed” with the status and function of the airport.

One of the last orders of business yet to be completed at the airport is the installation of fuel tanks. A state inspector has to come view the area in question before the concrete on which the tanks will rest can be poured.

Mountain View Builders will start the underdrain project on Nov. 16, over a week after the airport opens, but Gilb reported to the commissioners that the Mountain View is aware they will be performing work on a ‘live’ airport.

In other business, Barb Rice from Youth Alternatives had good news to share with the board. District courts have referred three youths to the program, which until this point was uncommon, which, according to commissioners and Rice herself, is a very good sign. Jerry Williams, Hot Springs County Attorney, noted that from all Youth Alternatives programs, Hot Springs County has one of the finest and most successful.

The program seeks to keep teenagers out of correctional facilities by providing a so-called ‘single point of entry’, which allows counselors to gather information from schools, parents, law enforcement officials, and teachers before deciding where to send a youth that has been charged with any criminal offense.

After Rice’s report, the commissioners opened bids for a new county vehicle. Two bids were from Fremont Motors and Worland Ford. Worland Ford gave a bid price of $28,068.75 and Fremont Motors gave two quotes, one for $25,985.00 and another for $25,455.08. The commissioners decided to give the contract to Fremont Motors for $25,455.08.

Chuck Carver, who is in charge of maintenance in Thermopolis, said that the recently completed Museum roof, “turned out really nice,” and that he is looking into ways to keep icicles off the roof this winter.