Nielsen joins Manderson Town Council

Jack Neilsen was appointed to the Manderson Town Council at its Oct. 10 meeting to complete the term of Troy Chambers. Neilsen has been a council member in Manderson. His term will end in December. 

Manderson Town Clerk Michelle Freitas provided the clerk/treasurer report, sharing the balances of all the town’s accounts including general fund, police, community and court. 

Janet Reasoner, the court clerk, said she received an email from Wyoming Homeland Security and the grant the police department applied for was approved. However, since the town is on the state’s non-compliance list, the grant may not be awarded.  

Councilman Tim Patrick gave the maintenance, water, sewer, streets and alleys reports. He said that all the pipes were picked up, the bathrooms in the park have been shut down and all but five sewer filters replaced. Work needs to be done on four or five tops for septic tanks. The tops have settled enough that they can’t be opened so new filters can be put in. He gave a list of septic tanks that need to be pumped. The list included Bury/Neilsen, Tim/Gail Patrick, Cloud Peak Church and the city park. He said there is 18 inches of sludge. Mayor Rod Patrick said the town has no choice; the tanks must be pumped. 

Mayor Patrick said he would like the town to hire a contractor to get the work done before there is frost in the ground. A motion to do so was made and passed. 

Neilsen asked if the fire hydrant across from town hall was going to be replaced. It had been hit by a vehicle. The mayor said it has been turned into the insurance company and the town is waiting for authorization to replace it.  He said if it doesn’t get fixed this year, it will be next year. 

Chief of Police BJ Kidgell said the PD was sponsoring a trunk or treat on Halloween from 5:30 – 7 p.m. He invited others to join in and provide a trunk. The department is doing a highway clean up on Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. He noted that the dispatch fee to the county has not been paid. The bill,  around $27,000, was due Sept. 1.  Mayor Patrick said the town just needs to receive a bill. Reasoner said she had placed the bill on the clerk’s desk. Councilman Patrick said a check would be sent out the following day.

Town resident Travis Study asked to speak to the council in an executive session. He said it was a sensitive matter. The request was declined. 

In other business:

• Dennis Chambers gave an update from the water district. He said the district is working on getting into their new building by the first of the year. 

• Councilman Patrick provided a list of miscellaneous equipment the town would like to sell along with suggested starting bids. The council voted to move forward. 

• Councilwoman Judy Bury said she has been concerned about the ongoing yard sale on main street. It has been 3-4 weeks since it started and that it looks horrible. She wondered if the town could do anything. The mayor said the town will write a letter to the homeowner first and ask for it to be cleaned up. Councilwoman Julie Williams said she would discuss with the homeowner.