Town council says no to chickens in town

At Tuesday's Thermopolis Town Council meeting, councilman Dusty Lewis made a motion to draft a resolution to allow chickens in the town limits, but the motion died for lack of a second. Jeremiah Balius was at the meeting and had presented council members with petitions with around 200 signatures. The council, at a previous meeting, had requested 300. There was much discussion from the council as to the validity of some of the signatures. They felt some were renters, some from out of town and East Thermopolis and some were members of the same household. Assistant to the Mayor, Fred Crosby,stated he felt the number of valid signatures came in around 115. Tom Butler asked the council several questions regarding how they determined the need for 300 signatures and the criteria they set for the signatures to be valid. In the end, councilman John Dorman Sr. was not present, but neither Tony Larson or Bill Malloy would offer a second to bring the motion to vote. Malloy said he felt he was promoting the view of the majority of the town's citizens by not allowing chickens within the town limits. In other business, Michael Wright, with Koerwitz, Michel, Wright and Associates Certified Public Accounts, gave details on the audit and financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2019, and all information was found to be in compliance. The board approved the audit. Chamber Executive Director Meri Ann Rush was on hand to request a street closure for the Lighted Christmas Parade planned for Friday, Dec. 13. The board approved the closure. Town Engineer, Anthony Barnett, present the final pay estimate for the Springview Sewer Project. The estimate was approved, pending the 40 day advertisement period to see if their are any claims on the project. Crosby presented information on the Town Health Insurance Policy. The board voted to approve the current policy. An extra day off at Christmas was approved for town employees. Tuesday, Dec. 24 was selected. Christmas bonuses were approved for town employees in the amounts of $250, for those employed prior to June 30, 2019, and $100 for those employed after that date. Town attorney, Mike Messenger, swore in new Thermopolis Police Officer Jessica Araiza.