Council approves update to codes

During their Tuesday night meeting, the Thermopolis Town, with Mayor Mike Chimenti absent, approved the first reading of an ordinance to amend Ordinance 840, Section 1, concerning adopted codes.

Under the new ordinance, the town will adopt the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, International Fire Code, International Property Management Code, International Mechanical Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58 Fuel Gas Code and the NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code. Additionally, the ordinance establishes related fees.

The adopted codes aren’t exactly new to the town. Town Attorney Mike Messenger explained the adoption was proposed by the engineering department after it was determined the codes had not been updated since 2012.

The ordinance will go through two more readings before it’s made official.

Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby said when the town lost its certified inspector it meant “home control” had to be relinquished back to the state. He and Town Engineer Heath Overfield assumed that whatever edition of the codes the state is on, so is the town. However, they found Thermopolis is on the 2012 codes and needs to be brought up the 2018 codes, which is what the state’s on.

Crosby would like some language to where the town will follow whatever edition of the codes the state is on, whether we have home control or not, but this ordinance updates us to the current time.

Crosby further expressed concern about updating the Energy Conservation Code, as there are some stringent insulation requirements that could cause some hardship. He understands the intent of the code, but hasn’t really liked it. When people build, he said, they tend to put in as much insulation as possible because it saves in the long run, but it might be hard to comply under the new ordinance.

With all of the roofing projects going on, Crosby said there have been some questions in regard to the codes. Most of the concerns with the 2012 codes come from those who are getting siding replaced, as those codes didn’t call for an insulation or barrier behind the siding, where the new ones do.

Crosby also reported that the property insurance adjuster visited Tuesday, and there is very little to no damage at the main pump station. Town Hall has some damage to the metal and flashing, but it appears the roof is in decent shape. New damage has been found on the roof at the old fire hall, which will be addressed.

Roofs at the town shop and storage building next to it and an awning have been recommended for replacement, Crosby noted, and the roofs on the sewer lagoon control rooms are lost. A cottage and shed at the wastewater treatment plant were initially missed, and Crosby sent the adjuster back to do them. Crosby plans to have better figures for council in a couple weeks. Inspections were done by getting up on the roofs, as well as with a drone.

Crosby also learned, in talking with the adjuster, that when an insurance company pays you off to fix something and you don’t do it, if there is further damage there’s no payment.

“For the metal up here,” he said, referring to the town hall roof, “if we don’t do it and the place burns down or something they’ll not cover that portion of it, which doesn’t make sense to me.”

The landfill has also seen some activity with the increased volume going out, and there is increased presence at the gate, Crosby noted, and people are being stopped who are a little taken aback.

Also during the meeting, Town Engineer Anthony Barnett presented project updates to council.

Barnett said contracts are being put together with regard to this year’s chip seal, and materials are being sent over for the new roof at the old fire hall. He is also waiting on WYDOT permits for the Springview sewer project, and the contractor is starting submittals as he’s getting his contract paperwork together.

“Everything’s moving along,” Barnett said. “Just pushing paper.”

Though there was not much update on the bore to bring water to the golf course, Council Member Tony Larson said the golf board is expecting to turn the water off at the course on Sept. 29. Barnett said not knowing where the pipe is should keep boring from happening until the water is shut off.