Action on service line tabled

Following some lengthy discussion during the Town Council’s meeting Tuesday evening, action on a new ordinance regarding water lines was tabled to allow time for some revision.

The ordinance, approved on first reading at the board’s July 3 meeting, states responsibility for expense of repairs and maintenance of water service lines is on the Town of Thermopolis from the connection at the water main to six feet behind the street curb or to the consumer’s property line, whichever is closer to the main. Water service lines in any alley are excluded and the responsibility is solely on the consumer.

Under the ordinance, from the point where the responsibility of the town ends, responsibility for expenses of repairs and maintenance of service lines to the point of use by the consumer, with noted exceptions, is on the consumer.

These expenses include but are not limited to the lines, curb stops and boxes, saddles, valves and equipment, labor and other materials.

If there’s no operable curb stop at the point of the commencement of the responsibility of the consumer, a new stop will be installed with the expenses falling to the consumer. All curb stops shall be operable and accessible by town employees and all costs associated with curb stop installation, repair, accessibility and operability are on the consumer. If the service line is under concrete the town may decline to accept responsibility to the point of commencement of the consumer’s responsibility.

During discussion on the ordinance, John Zupan voiced concern of whether there would be a set position where the curb stops would be placed, and whether that would be standardized or on a case by case basis. Mayor Mike Mortimore said that was one of the big issues they discussed in coming up with the ordinance, and why the ordinance includes the language concerning whether the property line or six feet behind the curb is closer to the main.

Zupan is concerned there are some instances where there is not a main water line adjacent to a property, resulting in a length of line that runs up a street or alley to get to the property line and whose responsibility that is.

Josh Brown noted the curb stop on his property is poured in his sidewalk, and the ordinance states it’s the town’s discretion on whether they want to deal with it. He understands the ordinance was designed to take some of the cost off the homeowners for line repairs, but at the same time the town has to compensate for the increased cost to the town, possibly in the form of a rate increase. But, while everyone is having to help pay for the increased town burden, Brown noted not everyone would benefit based on where their curb stops were placed.

Brown also voiced concern the town’s responsibility stopped before the curb stop rather than taking the curb stop as well, as people could have issues with he town going on their property to shut water off if necessary. Another concern raised was in regard to water lines that go across multiple properties, where one person’s meter is on another’s property.

Due to the various possible scenarios and issues that the ordinance could create, and whether it was actually needed, it was decided a committee would look at possibly re-wording the ordinance and presenting it at a later meeting.

A second ordinance regarding fences was approved on second reading. The ordinance states no fence shall be constructed or maintained in a way that blocks vision from a public street or alley to prevent adequate visibility of the street or alley from a private drive or access road.

For an interior lot, front yard fences are restricted to a maximum height of four feet. For corner lots, fences with a woven wire with a minimum of three inch by three inch weave or chain link, or are otherwise capable of being seen through have a maximum height of four feet; fences made of other material have a three-foot maximum height restriction.

Fences with a maximum height of six feet on corner lots are allowed to extend into one front yard on corner lots but not both, as long as they align with building setback requirements on the second front yard and pose no street or alley visibility issues. Property owners can dispute conditions imposed by the town through the codes administrator or town employee designated by the mayor rather than going through the Board of Appeals.

In other action, the board approved two liquor permit from Shorty’s, for the Lions Club Ranch Rodeo Aug. 4 and 5 and the demolition derby Aug. 18. Both events are at the fairgrounds.

The VFW was approved to place United States flags on light poles on Broadway for patriotic holidays. John Gerrells said the VFW used to put the flags up, but the poles were changed and the holders lost, which was somewhat discouraging. Now that the town has settled on the type of poles, the VFW would like to revive the tradition of the flags.

Also during the meeting, Town Engineer Anthony Barnett provided an update on the Upper Fremont project, noting a drain was able to drop the water level about 40 inches on the east end of the project. Barnett doesn’t think it would be worth putting in a second drain near the highway as the water dried up fairly quickly, but the area will be monitored.

Town Engineer Heath Overfield notified council that their five-year permit for the sewage treatment plant is due, as well as two storm water pollution prevention plan permits, and he is working to get paperwork done for their renewal.