Ordinances in Manderson will be enforced

Councilman Tim Patrick brought the issue of ordinance enforcement to the Town of Manderson’s agenda on Nov. 6.
“There are some people in town that think they are being picked on about certain different things,” he stated. “I think we’ve got to start strictly enforcing our ordinances and got to do it to everybody. It’s got to be fair. Straight down the line.”
Patrick continued that the Town has heard about a lot of ordinances that aren’t being followed, so it might as well tear up the ordinance book if that’s the case.
Mayor Rod Patrick asked for comments. Councilwoman Judy Bury replied, “You know what I think. It’s pretty obvious. Either you enforce them or you get rid of them. We have police here. Their arms are strapped.”
Bury was asked at previous meetings why certain ordinances are enforced and others aren’t, since some people go by the rules and some don’t.
Councilman Patrick said he has heard that there is no ordinance enforcement in Manderson. “Our police department is our ordinance enforcement. We do have an ordinance enforcement here.”
Bury countered it was only for certain things. “We can’t do it for dogs.” Councilman Patrick noted that Basin, Worland and Greybull enforce their dog ordinances.
Bury pointed out that in those towns, the officers pick up the dogs, take them to a pound and the owners must pay to get their dogs out.
“We can’t do that, and if you fine them, some of these people don’t have the money to pay the fine. That’s my argument.”
Councilman Patrick agreed this was a valid argument and there was no easy answer. Bury added that some people don’t care if their dogs run away whether it’s a law or not. “It’s just like some of these other ordinances that people disobey and look at us and say, ‘Try to get me.’”
Councilman Patrick said there are many ordinances that can be enforced. Bury expressed concerns about the new goat ordinance, saying everyone should go by the rules, or at least try to. There should be someone checking to make sure the ordinance is being followed. Councilman Patrick said this should be the case for all the animal ordinances.
Both council people believed there are people with animals that don’t know the ordinances even exist.
Mayor Patrick said the Town needs to work on the enforcement issue, and he hopes the public will help. He’s unsure what other route to take.
Town resident Thea Saunders said that to get a copy of the ordinances, people had to come to town hall and wait for a copy. She has asked for them twice and still not received a copy. She would like to see all the ordinances.
Bury asked Saunders where she got a copy of the ordinances she posted on Facebook. Saunders explained they were provided by a previous councilperson. However, she wasn’t sure that what she had was complete.
Councilwoman Julie Williams said the full ordinance book was about 30 pages. Saunders was invited to stay after the meeting to look at the book to compare what she had.
Saunders is working on putting the ordinances into a Google document so it’s easy for people to search by subject.
GOAT ORDINANCE
Councilman Patrick stated he had gone through the ordinance and talked to the town attorney. Since the last meeting, he also went through Basin and Greybull’s ordinances.
The attorney recommended a few changes. One change will be the wording about who can inspect the property. It currently reads that the “governing body” has the right. The wording will be changed to “a representative of the governing body.” Added was “after a written notice of scheduled inspection is given.” Another addition was that the property owner has two weeks to respond to a written notice about an inspection. The response is to include arrangements for said inspection.
This addition should address the concern Councilman Troy Chambers had about Fourth Amendment rights at a previous meeting.
At this meeting, Chambers stated he was concerned about the “removal” of a goat. Councilman Patrick said the ordinance had been changed to say a removal would be done by the owner after a written notice was given that a goat was to be removed. If the owner does not comply, then Manderson PD or the brand inspector have the right to take the animal.
NEW CLERK
Melissa Winkler was sworn in as town clerk. The mayor asked for patience as she learns her job. She gave the Clerk/Treasurer reports. The enterprise fund has $24439.39, the community fund has $84723.56, general checking has $106,771.41 and the police department checking has $251,310.40. The total of bills to be paid was $39,501.47.
MAINTENANCE REPORT
The maintenance report, given by Councilman Patrick, detailed that all the fire hydrants are done and everything is in good working shape. A new hydrant was installed at the Hi Way Bar and Café. The hydrants will be flow and static tested in the spring.
He continued, “All the pipes have been picked up and put away. All the water lines have been blown out. Filters are being done as we speak. We’re taking the filters out and replacing the sewer tanks. We hope to have the sewer filters done by the end of the month.”
Patrick added that the Town’s equipment is being put away and oil changes/greasing have been done. Water meters were read on time, and water bills went out on time.
The Town’s pickup truck cannot be used at the moment as it is overheating. He hopes it is just the thermostat and plans to replace it.
OTHER BUSINESS
• Dennis Chambers gave a Joint Powers update. He said the water rates may be going up by July 2024.
• Bury asked for the status of the audit. She was told the Town has not heard back yet.
• The police report was given by Office Darold Newman. He said there have been more dogs running around town lately.
• Janet Reasoner gave the clerk of court report.
• Copies of the chicken ordinance will be sent to the residents that have chickens. The ordinance will also be posted at the post office.
• Bury asked if the Town’s time clocks have been fixed, since at one meeting it was stated that all employees must use the time clocks. She was told the clock has not been fixed yet.
• Travis Study asked the status of an abandoned alleyway.
• A complaint was received about feces on the picnic tables at the boat ramp. Concern was also expressed about the gate across the driveway to the ramp. The topic will be addressed at the next meeting.