Collecting from the dead

The Medicine Bow Town Council met at 7 p.m. on March 12 at the Medicine Bow Community Hall. The council approved the minutes for the agenda and paid the bills.

Karen Heath, town clerk and treasurer, told the council there had been a problem collecting on utility bills from a deceased property owner’s estate because there were no clear protocols, such as how much time to wait before turning off the water or for filing a lien. Heath said there was no form for a family of the deceased to fill out and often contact numbers in case of an emergency were not available.

Mayor Kevin Colman said to put information of the deceased on the utility work order and within 30 days of the owner passing away, try to find the executor.

The second reading of Ordinance 1-2018 was approved. This is an ordinance authorizing High Plains Power to have a franchise within the Town of Medicine Bow. Colman requested that Heath invite a representative from High Plains Power to come to the regular town meeting on April 9 to answer any questions.

Shane Blakeman, town council member, said the sound system had been installed in the council chambers and he was expecting some channeling to be delivered to hide the cords.

The council approved series “A” of the bonds to be called in June by the Specific Purpose Tax Board. In order for the bonds to be called in, each participating municipality would have to pay a small portion up front by May but the municipalities would receive more back from an economic recovery rebate in July. Medicine Bow’s share of the fee was $4,497.69.

The Craft Fair fundraiser for the Medicine Bow Volunteer Fire raised over $800 said Colman.

Vernon Scott, resident of Medicine Bow, said he had driven by the school and noticed the school bell monument was in bad shape. He asked if the town could repair it. Blakeman said he would like to see the school repair it.

High Country Joint Powers Board (HCJB) representative Toby Smith said the board was going to have a special meeting for a budget session March 15, so HCJB would be able to have a budget to present to the towns at their next meetings in April. He said HCJB was looking at another rate increase as well as one for next year in order to meet their budget target by 2020. Wyoming Solid Waste Management (WSWM) had made a presentation to take over now, but the HCJB told WSWM the board wasn’t ready for it to be taken over at this time.

The next scheduled town council meeting is at 7 p.m. on April 9, at the Medicine Bow Community Hall.