Manderson council votes to increase dog at large fines

At the Feb. 13 Manderson Town Council meeting, increasing fines for violation of a dog ordinance was reviewed. At the meeting were Mayor Rod Patrick, council members Julie Williams, Tim Patrick, Sharon Sanford and Thea Saunders. 

Councilman Patrick asked to amend the agenda at the beginning of the meeting to add a proposed ordinance amendment submitted by the Manderson Police Department, represented by Officer Josh Wheeler. The ordinance in question had to do with stray dogs, according to the councilman. 

Councilman Patrick read the amendment to the ordinance. The penalty for first offense for dog at large is raised to $50. The second offense is $75. The third offense is $100. It read in part “Officers shall issue offer at forfeitable for the first three offences. The fourth offense is punishable as set out in Section B below and must be an appear in person citation. All fines are in addition to any impoundment and veterinary fees.”

The changes came from the town attorney, Jerry Williams. Mayor Patrick said the chief of police, Darold Newman, asked him for the changes. “The police department and the judge, so somebody doesn’t have to go before the judge for every offense. If they do, they can be fined up to $750. This is for dogs at large, a dog that is a nuisance. If it is a vicious dog that goes after a kid (or adult) then you go before the judge.” 

It was the first reading of the ordinance change. The mayor explained that even though it passes on the first reading, changes could be made for the following readings. 

Saunders pointed out there was a problem with the original ordinance with enforcement and also how to know whose dog it is.  The mayor said the enforcement now will be a citation from an officer. 

Wheeler stated the department was just trying to simplify the process. They feel with set fines for the first three offences and an order to appear for the fourth, everyone is treated the same. People should take a picture of the dog and bring the photo to an officer.  

The ordinance passed. 

Wheeler gave the department report. He explained that the PD had e-citation training; all the equipment has been received by the town. Things have gone smoothly and are user friendly. He believes it is a great addition and will make traffic stops more efficient. 

Councilman Patrick said dog tags are due April 1. The fee of $7 will increase to $10 after April 1. 

MINUTES

When the mayor asked for approval of the Jan. 9, 2025, minutes, Saunders noted that in the board training she has taken, the minutes from the previous meeting are to be read to make sure they are accurate before being accepted. The mayor replied, “We never read it, but it is your responsibility to read it before we get to the approvement.” Saunders went on to say in the portion about how meetings should be run that is what is taught. She would like to know why the town isn’t following those instructions. 

Mayor Patrick answered “Because no towns do it. There’s very few towns that do it. If it is easier for you to read them before the meeting and know what’s in them and know if you have any changes then have them read here. It just makes it a lot easier. If you want them read then you can read them. I’ll make you the official minute reader.” She said it is the clerk’s job. 

Other councilpersons were asked their opinion by the mayor. Tim Patrick said he agrees that it is the council member’s responsibility to read the minutes before the meeting. He added it would add to the length of the meeting. 

Councilperson Williams stated that the council should read the minutes before approving them. Freitas said that copies are available prior to the meetings should the council want to read them. 

Tim Patrick said the same is true about the agenda. Former Councilwoman Judy Bury asked to speak from the audience. She suggested the items be emailed to the council/mayor prior to the meeting. A motion was made to approve the January minutes. 

 MAINTENANCE, WATER, SEWER

This report was given by the mayor. He explained that the doors on the town shop were repaired. He added that the town will be doing maintenance on all the doors including the police department.  

A one-foot extension was put on the hydrant across from town hall. He said he has been working with an outfit out of Montana on the sewer. The company will be sending staff from Sheridan this summer. They will be going through the sewer plant & teaching anybody who wants to know how it works. The company will also help anybody that wants to take the test for a license. 

The mayor explained he bought a snow shovel and ice remover. He did clean up in front of town hall. Councilwoman Sanford asked why the town parking lot was not plowed prior to the meeting. She was concerned that the ice kept some of the elder residents away. 

Mayor Patrick responded that “If we don’t catch it to begin with, it is almost impossible because it turns to hard snow and ice. When you plow the parking lot out here you are just moving gravel out.” 

OTHER BUSINESS 

• Saunders had questions about the bills. She said there were bills included in the package that were not on the list of bills the council was given. The mayor said they were likely overlooked. Freitas explained she may have had them off to the side and must have missed them when she made the spreadsheet. Saunders continued that the bills that were not included are “kinda big.”  Freitas explained what the three bills were for. The mayor added that typically the council comes in one-half hour before the meeting to look at the bills. 

• Freitas gave the clerk report which included balances for the police account, general account, community account, enterprise and court account. Tim Patrick noted during the report that the water bills were late because the town’s printer went down. It is now fixed. 

• The Court report was given by court clerk Janet Reasoner. March court is scheduled for March 21. She passed the public officer test. 

• Dennis Chambers gave the Water District board update. 

• A building permit was tabled for Sherry Showalter.    

• Saunders had a list of items for discussion on the agenda. Those items included keys to town hall, access to town policies/procedures, job descriptions, town hall hours, compliance with State, emergency plan, budget, and bookkeeping. Saunders said her discussion is mostly fact finding. 

She expressed that she would like to see the town operating within its own ordinances. One example was that the town meeting ordinance says the council meetings are the second Monday at 6:30 p.m. Currently the meetings are the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. 

The complete discussion may be watched on YouTube at Manderson Town Meeting, Feb. 13, 2025. 

• Sanford asked why check payments for water bills were taking so long to clear the bank. Freitas said she was holding them until they all came in, so she wasn’t making weekly trips to the bank. She will go back to depositing weekly. She also asked about the “water situation.” The issue in question is for the residents that have had their water turned off. The town continues to send a bill. Former Councilwoman Judy Bury explained even after the water is turned off there is still a monthly fee. Councilman Patrick said it was set up that way because when the sewer system was put in, DEQ & State of Wyoming wanted to know how it was going to be paid for. Sanford said she wants to investigate it more and will research it. Once down, she will follow up with questions at the next meeting. 

• An executive session was called to discuss litigation and personnel.