Fishing hole poles problem

During a rescheduled regular meeting at 7 p.m. on March 6 at the Encampment Town Hall, the Encampment Town Council heard updates on the community fishing pond and a request for use of the Grand Encampment Museum (GEM) grounds for the upcoming Mountain Man Rendezvous.

The current discussion around the proposed community fishing pond is the placement of a Union Telephone line that currently prevents the construction of the pond. Doreen Harvey, town clerk and treasurer, informed the town council that the cost of relocating the phone line would be approximately nine thousand dollars.

There was some debate as to whether the phone line could be placed along the power poles owned by Carbon Power & Light (CP&L). Further discussion alluded to the possibility of relocating the power pole as well.

“I’d like to get it staked out and see what we can do to work around it (the power pole),” said Mayor Greg Salisbury.

The Department of Public Works was to begin the weed and willow removal from the location the following day.

“It is in the works and we’ll just keep working on it,” said Salisbury.

Craig Kopaz, of Engineering Associates, informed the council that Encampment was currently ahead of Rawlins in its pace of completing the pond.

“You’re ahead of Rawlins at this point,” said Kopaz, “If you stay at the pace you’re at, you’ll have a community fishing pond before Rawlins.”

Salisbury also informed the council he had spoken with a number of oilfield companies from Wamsutter that were willing to donate rock from the construction of reserve pits to the town for the project.

The council also heard a request from Crystal Gillen, vice-president of the Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders, concerning the use of the GEM grounds for the Marion Baker Shoot on June 2, and the Mountain Man Rendezvous, held July 20 through July 22.

Gillen informed the council that while the rendezvous will be happening the same time as the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering, the muzzleloaders had already spoke with Steve Moulton and neither group felt there would be a major conflict.

In other business, Salisbury informed the council of the recent events concerning the South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) Joint Powers Board. Salisbury told the council that Mark Dunning, manager of Big Creek Ranch, had approached him about representing Encampment on the joint powers board following the resignation of Jeb Steward. The council unanimously approved Dunning for the post as well as approving the Joint Powers Board Amendment.

Encampment resident Nick Wamsley spoke with the council concerning a letter he had received from the town.

“We received a letter from you guys stating that there was complaint from a neighbor about the use of the alley. Is there any problem from the township?” asked Wamsley.

Salisbury assured Wamsley that the town had no issue with the use of the alley, but was curious if Wamsley’s tenants, Abby and Krissy McIrvin, could access the house through the road the town had established for the residence.

“”We could, but our garage access is in the alley,” replied Wamsley.

Bill Craig, Encampment Town Council member, informed Salisbury that the alley in question did not have any serious ruts to prevent easy access. Both Wamsley and Abby and Krissy McIrvin informed the town that they understood that the town did not permanently maintain the alley nor were they requesting the town do so.

“I just wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything from us,” said Wamsley.

With no other business, the council moved to adjourn. The next regular Encampment Town Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on April 12 at the Encampment Town Hall.