Bids for town sewer projects open in April

The Basin Town Council was given an update on the sewer project at the Feb. 27 town council meeting. Town engineer Jesse Frisbee said they will open for bids April 18, tentatively. The bids will be awarded June 24 should additional funds be found.

The cost of the project increased by $2.1 million from the original estimate. Frisbee noted that the actual cost increase won’t be known until the bids come in. The increase was the project engineer’s estimate. The USDA is looking for additional funding for the project, which may come in the form of a grant or loan.

Construction is slated to start July 30, 2025, with a completion date of July 30, 2026. Town Attorney Kent Richins stated that by June 24 the town will know if it’s received USDA funding.

Frisbee added that the State Revolving Fund (SRF) has reserved $4.2 million for a loan with 40.89% forgiveness. This is an alternative funding source. The Town will officially apply.

Mayor Duncan explained that what Frisbee shared was just for information. The Town is moving forward. “The issue on the table is, are we going to explore the option with SRF and work out the math? If we use all the 4.1 million, say 40% is forgiven, we’ve got to pay back $2.3ish. Whereas with USDA, we have to pay back all $4 million.”

Frisbee said the town already has to pay back what was loaned for phase one of the project. “There is only about $700,000, roughly, left on that loan. Which then we break into the grant which is $1.4ish. If we go and ask USDA for additional funds…they are pretty positive it will be a grant. It would be better to use USDA at this point.” Duncan thanked Frisbee for the clarification.

COUNCIL MOTOCROSS
DISCUSSION

As reported in last week’s paper, a special meeting was held prior to the regular council meeting. That story covered community input. The following is the discussion that occurred during the regular meeting.

Councilperson Mike Dellos shared a concern that the proposed parking lot for the motocross track has the town’s main water line and main raw water line beneath it. The raw water line is only three feet deep.

He expressed concern about heavy campers, trucks pulling campers, etc. that could cause issues. Dellos was asked how deep the water lines in the town’s alleys are. He stated they were about three feet for the entire town. When asked about the water line at the ballfields, Dellos said it is a service line around six feet deep and it is not driven or parked on.

Councilperson Chuck Hopkin stated that the town’s full garbage truck weighed more than any camper that might come and that the garbage truck hadn’t damaged any water lines that he was aware of. He asked when the water lines were put in. Dellos estimated 1988. Hopkin said the water lines could be dug up if need be. Dellos pointed out a raw water line that runs on the lower end of the road that feeds the baseball field and cemetery. Josh Huggins, who brought the idea of motocross to the town, said the track would be fifty feet from the road.

Hopkin confirmed that he has received phone calls about the track. One individual was concerned about the traffic on A Street. Three other callers were in support of the track. Those callers’ homes are not located in the area that would be impacted by traffic.

Councilperson Linda Weeks agreed with Hopkin. She received a concerned phone call from someone that “lives that way.” She also talked to her neighbors. Most were for the track.

Dellos asked for clarification on what the lease amount would be. Duncan replied that WYDOT is charged $10 a year for the land they lease west of town. He added that when a charge is decided down the line, it should be reasonable. The current discussion was about whether the town was in support of the club bringing a track to town.

As noted in last week’s paper, the council voted 3 to 1 in support of a land lease agreement with the motocross club if/when the club is formed. Dellos voted no.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Town Foreman Tony Harrison gave his report for public works.  Harrison provided an update on a split for water lines for two adjacent properties on South Sixth Street with different owners. He estimated the cost would be around $3,500. He said there are similar situations throughout town that will need to be addressed.

Duncan gave background on a few of the other situations and said he believes that in these cases, unlike the South Sixth Street properties, the landowners should pay. He asked the council to approve him sending a letter with a completion date. Otherwise, water services will be turned off.

After additional discussion, Harrison was directed to do more research and bring the information back to the council.

Harrison also said the water tank needs repairs/cleaning/inspection. His estimate is around $18,500 and includes cleaning three inches of sludge. He proposed $20,000 for the project for next year’s budget. Town Attorney Kent Richins asked if three inches of sludge was in the tank or was it a guess. Harrison said it was a guess. Richins asked if there would be additional charges if there was more than three inches. Harrison said he didn’t know.

Councilperson Brent Godfrey asked for confirmation that the last time similar work was done was in 2022. Harrison said the company that does the work called him. That is how he first learned about it. Frisbee pointed out that this work is typically a three-year cycle. The council made a motion to approve the expense and work.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Building permits were approved for Oates-Doyle.

• A chicken permit was approved for Derik Henderson.

• A 24-hour alcoholic beverage sales permit was approved for the Wild Turkey Foundation Banquet.

• MOUs from Big Horn County Water Supply Joint Powers Board and Big Horn County Water District were signed by Duncan.

• The Third Street Project will start soon.

• Weeks gave an update on the Activities Committee. The Town’s clean-up day will be April 26. She is working on a town beautification committee.