Council approves fireworks in town

At the June 16 Basin Town Council meeting, the council voted to allow fireworks within the town limits, but only between noon and midnight on Friday, July 4.

Mayor Duncan asked Chief of Police Kyle McClure if there were any issues from last year. The chief said there are some complaints every year, but he feels people cleaned up after themselves. Some residents asked if there was a place in town they could go to set off fireworks because their property was not conducive to do so. The town is not going to allow fireworks other than on a person’s own private property. People must clean up, especially if some fireworks get on the streets. 

There were also complaints about fireworks going off after midnight. McClure said there are properties adjacent to town that have set off fireworks after midnight. Because they are not located within the town, there is nothing officers can do. 

McClure cautioned those setting off fireworks that it is the dry season and that fires can start easily. He recommends they be prepared. 

MATTERS OF THE STAFF

Written reports are submitted by the department heads are included in the council packages. Each department head gives a verbal report during the council meeting. 

The public works/water monthly summary report was given by Tony Harrison. The new data cable line for the water tank is installed and working. The crew worked on the cemetery to prepare it for Memorial Day. 

They have also been spraying weeds and sweeping the streets. There were a lot of work orders for raw water hydrants. Most just needed general maintenance. 

Another project for the crew is the Lions Ball Fields. This includes digging and replacing sprinklers. With the purchase of a pull behind fertilizer cart they will start fertilizing the grass toward the end of June. 

The town hosted a confined space training on June 11 with Frandson Safety. The public works and lineman crew attended. Harrison is working on a confined space policy for the town. 

He will be purchasing a pavement crack sealer machine. They will start sealing cracks on the bike path in September. 

Bill Dahlke gave the electric department report. One project was fixing a leaking and tipping over transformer.  They also installed 6 URD (Underground Residential Distribution) units in basements. This means they are no longer in the dirt and are level. The crew replaced split bolts, completed the URD loop feed on the north end of town, and up graded two services and secondary. 

Dahlke told the council that Josh Huggins completed his lineman apprentice course. All course work is done; he just needs to get the hours down. Dahlke said it is quite the accomplishment. 

Town Administrator Deaun Tigner gave an update on the Admin Department. She said they have been very busy. Harrison has been keeping up with the utilities billing, delinquent billing and cemetery. 

There are two opening in public works and an opening for a clerk in the admin office. 

McClure told the council that in May the department had 268 incidents and opened six case files. 

The Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) are in and being used. Basin PD is the first department in Big Horn County to have theirs up and running. McClure said it wasn’t that hard since there are only three officers versus departments with more officers. 

OTHER BUSINESS 

• Building permits were approved for Liberty Holdings Ranch, Mike Dellos, Arthur Dahlke, and Charles Hopkin. The Williamsons permit was to add a deck and fence. The Williamsons were also at the meeting to discuss a letter of interest on properties next to their home. There is a portion of land they thought was theirs until a survey was done.  They would like to take ownership of that portion and another adjoining portion. The town voted to research how this could be done. It will be discussed at the July 10 meeting.  

• Duncan gave an activities committee update. 

• Weeks shared an update about what the town beautification committee is doing. She mentioned the new billboard coming into the town, yard of the month, town maps, welcome signs clean up, the mural and Basin Commons proposal. The commons will be located at the southeast corner of Fourth and C Streets in the currently vacant lot. She also mentioned putting a flag at Russell Park 

• Harrison gave an update on the South Big Horn County Joint Powers Board. They have an upcoming meeting. He expressed some concerns about the management doing things without board approval. 

• The Big Horn Regional Joint Powers Board update was given by Duncan. He said they are currently going through their budget. They are financially solvent. 

• The council will not hold a second meeting in June. 

• McClure and the council discussed the 24-hour alcoholic beverage sale permit application for fair week. McClure said he didn’t have a problem with the permit for July 29-August 3 but needed clarifications including a map of where the alcohol would be served and allowed.

He also asked for specific hours for each of the days. Fair manager Catherine Foss was at the meeting. She told the council that the vendor, Lisa’s Western Cuisine and Spirits, wanted to add Monday July 28.  Since they want to add the additional date, McClure recommended they apply for a new permit with that date, maps and times. 

• Foss asked the council about a banner across Fourth Street to advertise the fair. The discussion included talking with WYDOT and that the poles it would be attached to are not straight across from each other. Duncan mentioned that the town had put a long banner at C and Fourth Street. Even with slots in it, the banner took out lights. The council thought it was a great idea and will explore some options to see if it is possible.