Commissioners receive written reports

In keeping with the Wyoming State Governor’s recommendation of no more than 10 people in a meeting, the Hot Springs County Commissioners had each of their department heads submit typed reports for their meeting rather than coming in person.

Nate Messenger, FBO for the Hot Springs County Airport noted there were 68 total operations at the airport for the month of March, including 21 single engine piston craft and three air ambulances.

Messenger said fuel sales this month were the slowest they’ve been in quite a while, selling 441 gallons of aviation fuel and 3,730 gallons of jet fuel.

The owner of one of the new hangars going up at the airport would like permission to install a propane tank for heating his hangar, so Messenger is working to make sure placement of a tank wouldn’t violate any FAA or state codes.

There may be a need for an easement to allow for the tank, but is checking into everything before allowing him to move forward with installation.

Maintenance supervisor Anthony Fruciano advised the commissioners in his report he and his crew are taking extra steps to increase the frequency of sanitation and disinfection of all areas of the building with extra attention being paid to more frequently touched surfaces.

They are also using hospital grade, full-room disinfectant foggers that are being used in various portions of the buildings on a rotating schedule in the evening.

In discussion regarding the roof on the Hot Springs County Library, Fruciano said he has been in contact with Dave Kaufman of CRCI Roof Consulting and Inspection and he is putting together a proposal to serve as a project manager for the project.

The commissioners talked about the need to still use Nelson Architects for the project, knowing they can provide a detailed project scope for the insurance company, but also realize it will set the project back a bit.

The firm will be advised to get the project scope on track as soon as possible so bid packets can be sent out.

At the same time, they will discuss the issue of rusting through of the roof on the Fair Building.

Hot Springs County Road and Bridge has been busy with the onset of spring, too, cleaning up the gravel pits, blading the county’s gravel roads and replacing a rotten culvert on East River Road.

Road and Bridge supervisor Dave Schlager said they have already had someone hit the new guard rail on East River Road and the sheriff’s department is investigating. In addition they had to replace six signs on Missouri Flat Road that had been jerked out of the ground with a chain. The sheriff’s department is investigating that as well.

The commissioners talked about grinding the asphalt at the old airport site, saying they could use county road money for the project.

It would amount to about 3,000 loads of material including the base layer and asphalt and would be a good fall project, say November, after all the paving has stopped for the season.

The only drawback at this point is how to get 3,000 loads down off the hill without completely destroying the road so they are going to check into some different possibilities.

Barb Rice’s Youth Alternatives report indicates there are currently 21 juveniles in the program, 14 males and seven females.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rice is doing her daily check-ins with the juveniles via phone as well as calling families to give them some support, delivering food or supplies if needed and helping with at home learning as well.

She is still continuing to do some small projects with the kids in small groups, outdoors and is spending time with individuals as well as she feels the actual time they spend together and the relationships they build provides the best benefit.