Town Council discusses water, street repair projects

At the July 19 Thermopolis Town Council meeting, Mayor Mike Chimenti was not present, therefore, council member Bill Malloy presided over the meeting and addressed some catering permits during citizen participation.

All the permits were for Shorty’s for these events: Band in the Hot Springs State Park, July 24; Ranch Rodeo, August 3-11; Wyoming Discovery Days, August 6, 7; a Private Reception, September 3; and a Purse Action, October 22. The council voted and passed the approval of all the permits.

Town engineer Anthony Barnett gave his report and didn’t have any updates on street closures, but did mention that for the water project they are moving in equipment and trying to get fittings for temporary water. Barnett added, “then they’re going to pothole a couple of those along the curb and get temporary water around and then start laying pipe.” Then on the silo painting project at the water plant, they are short on help. Barnett continued and said, “And so they’re running behind, but they have roughly a month to complete that project and still be on time, and they should be able to do that. And the only other thing I can think to update you on was that we did survey the cell at the landfill and it’s a little over halfway filled up right now.”

There was a discussion about the work to be done on Richard’s Street between Mack’s Market and Merlin’s Hideout and Family Dollar/Dollar Tree. The issues were for parking and access to Merlin’s Hide Out. Signage was discussed as well as possible other parking locations. The matter is still being explored and communication between the Town and the merchants is in place.

Carrie Ryan, representing the Golf Board, gave an update along with providing the minutes from their meeting. Ryan said that the golf course restaurant is operating and has new management which started weeks ago. The eatery is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. 

Town attorney Marshall Keller presented a cable TV franchise ordinance for its first reading. Its first paragraph states, “An ordinance granting a nonexclusive franchise to Spectrum Pacific West, LLS for installation and operation of a cable service for distribution and sale to customers within the Town of Thermopolis; ratifying and approving the nonexclusive franchise agreement with Spectrum Pacific West.” The council voted and passed the approval of the ordinance in the first reading. There will be a total of three readings and their approvals before the ordinance becomes official.

Under administration, Fred Crosby reported on their utility rate review and said, “We finished all three of our enterprise funds, water, sewer, and sanitation in the black and all made a profit on them, which is good.…. The thing that I found interesting is in November of 2017, our minimum utility bill for residential customers for water, sewer, and sanitation was $75 a month. We took a little bit of a bump in 2019, a $1.90, and as of June 20th, we set that rate at $77.80. So in five years, probably more time, we have gone up $2.80 on those and that’s about a 3.6% increase. I think that’s phenomenal.”

Crosby continued and said, “Folks, I think you guys in our town are doing a great job. And I think folks, I would hope, they appreciate that because our rates have not kept up with inflation. We were still in and hammered out. Our systems work.” 

Malloy added, “And I know a lot of places have gone up about 3% every year.” Crosby also said, “And so it’s fortunate here to finish in the black… I keep telling everybody how fortunate they are to live here.”