Turkey feeding creates nuisance calls

The Thermopolis Town Council were given reports of several nuisance issues by Town Animal Control Officer Ame Longwell at their Tuesday, Jan. 21 meeting.  Mayor Mike Chimenti was not present at the meeting, vice chairman Bill Malloy was acting as the leading administrator for the night.

Longwell brought up two reports of nuisance issues effecting the town. She received complaints from residents on Cedar Ridge and Mountain View where subjects are pouring out large amounts of corn feed onto the streets and that it is attracting large numbers of wild turkeys. She reports there are 100 or so turkeys that have occupied the neighborhood and are defecating on the property, perching on cars and porches and have damaged other private properties.

According to current statutes, there is no language that would make feeding wild turkeys illegal. Longwell said she has received many calls for this issue and she is concerned it could escalate into a greater issue for the neighbors involved. The town council asked city attorney Mike Messenger to bring an amendment that would update the statute to include these animals.

Longwell also brought up another ongoing issue with the nuisance of chalk drawings that have appeared on sidewalks since December. Police chief Julie Mathews wants the public to know that the drawings are not anti-Semitic or crude. However, businesses and residents have made repeated calls to the city because the drawings keep reappearing after they are cleaned off. The individual creating these drawings has been spoken to and asked that he stop.

There is not any law that prevents these drawings, but Longwell expressed concern if the drawings were to continue when tourists arrive for the season that it could become an even greater problem. Malloy expressed that he hopes this issue will die down over time and they will keep this matter in mind.

Additionally, city administrator Fred Crosby brought up the need to decide about the waste management of the town as the term for the town landfill permit is nearing its end in June. He said they need to decide if the town should contract out the trash collection or continue it with the town. If the town were to continue it, they would need a new truck which would cost about $200,000. The town could potentially extend its permit as well.  

Crosby suggested they could create a joint powers board that would include Thermopolis, East Thermopolis, Kirby and other adjacent entities to pull together the service needs.  He said they would need a work session to discuss all their options in detail and to move on it soon. Malloy agreed and they will schedule the work session to take further action.

Finally, in other business, the retail liquor license transfer for the Thermop Cafe or Elles Restaraunt and Bar LLC was approved. Meri Ann Rush requested approval of street closures at Broadway and Fourth thru Fifth Streets for the Brewfest event on June 6, which was granted.