Citizen chip concerns

The Saratoga Town Council met at 6 p.m. on May 1, approved the agenda and paid bills totaling $195,687.97. Ed Glode, mayor, told the council he had received correspondence from the Saratoga Middle High School inviting them to the 4th annual Fine Arts Festival at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

After correspondence, the mayor asked if there were any questions from the public. Cindy Bloomquist stepped forward.

“I’m talking about the fire at the mill, I am just wondering about what your process will be in concern about safety from the ordinances of the planning commission,” Bloomquist said.

She pointed out that material had to be forty feet away from the fence and there had to be safety. Bloomquist said she had been told the town was not responsible for the safety factor and she took issue with this statement saying the town was responsible.

“I have been talking about this for six years. Right now, by my sister’s house, 60 feet from a propane tank is two piles of wood with no signs about use of chainsaws or signs about anything, and I have seen a person get out and put out a cigarette going about his business and if the wind comes up, you will burn up more stuff,” Bloomquist said. “I don’t know what you see as your process is working this all out so it doesn’t happen again.”

The mayor said he has talked to the owner of the sawmill and although the issue of the boiler was addressed, the wood piles and chips still needed more resolution.

Brad Cary, with the volunteer fire department, said it was a problem with the chips and piles of wood.

“I don’t know what the answer is in dealing with the waste,” Cary said. “Near as I can see, they are doing all they can,” Cary said. “I don’t know what they are going to do with it.”

Steve Wilcoxson, town council member, asked if there were enough fire hydrants. Cary said he was not sure what hydrants were the mill’s, but said the water system had been taxed by the fire.

Wilcoxson said the planning commission should take a look to make sure places such as Medicine Waters have the proper system to handle water flows in case of fire.

Bloomquist said water did not have much effect on a fire with wood chips.

“Once it gets going and it is windy, it is like a forest fire,”Bloomquist said. “I would like to see the town decide where their responsibility is for safety.”

She suggested putting the piles that are currently near the propane tank near Cemetery Road.

“There has to be some sensibleness here,” Bloomquist said. “I don’t know how you are going to use the ordinances to do that, but I think you should try.”

Glode thanked Bloomquist for her input.

After a short discussion, council agreed that the budget meeting would start at 5:30 p.m. on May 7.

Wilcoxson told the council a proposed fence at the Sergeant Tyler Pickett Park should wait until the sprinkler systems were put in. He said he would possibly have more information about costs on the system by the next meeting.

The council tabled Resolution no. 2018-03 which would have terminated the Vyve Broadband-I, LLC cable communications system franchise agreement. Richard Raymer, town council member, noted there had been some material left behind although it was not much. Will Faust, town council member, said he had noticed some material also. It was decided until Carbon Power was satisfied with Vyve Broadband’s efforts, the resolution could wait.

$5,800 was approved for the fire department to purchase pagers.

Robert Bifano, police chief, informed the council the Bike Rodeo was scheduled for May 14 for the preschool and elementary school on May 23 and Head Start on the May 24. He said he would supply an officer to be at the events. The council approved the purchase of 90 helmets for the rodeos estimated to be $565.

Recreation Director Lisa Burton said the pool was being cleaned and would be open Memorial Day.

Jon Winter, public works director, told the council potholes were being patched up. Winter said that the water of Saratoga had been awarded the best tasting water in the State by Wyoming Mineral and Spring Water conference and would be competing at the national level in February 2019. Winter said he contacted Verizon about helping the town with putting on the screens for the water tower and he asked the town for permission to green light the work. The council approved $1,900 for the water tower screen job. Winter also reported the new boat dock at the lake is ready to go.

Raymer said the airport work was staying on schedule. The council approved for the runway construction project, FAA#3-56-0026 RFR #4 $1,504.70 for the town’s matching funds to the State’s $2,257.05 and the Federal Government’s funds of $33,855.75. The mayor signed the State Aid Contract for the 2018 Seal Coat and Marking project. The town pays no money for this project

The next scheduled town council meeting is at 6 p.m. on May 15 at town hall.