Town of Basin considers selling previous town hall

BY BARBARA ANNE GREENE 

    At the Basin Town Council meeting on Nov. 13, one item discussed was the selling of the previous town hall. It is located on South Fourth Street. 

Mayor CJ Duncan opened the discussion by addressing the three councilpersons in attendance. Those were Linda Weeks, Mike Dellos and Chuck Hopkin. 

“I’ve been visiting with Tony (Harrison-town foreman) a little bit. The stuff that is stored in the back of that building, we can find homes for most of that with the cleanup that has been done, with some of the proposed changes that may come later on. There are places we can go with all that equipment.   I would like to know what your thoughts are about putting that building up for sale.” 

He added that it is just going to continue to cost the town money. According to Duncan, the town spent $29,000 to replace the roof.  He is not expecting an answer from the council at this meeting but would like for them to think about selling it. The town would have to do at least a fair market analysis. 

Town attorney Kent Richins added there are a couple of routes the town could go. “If it is economic development, we don’t necessarily have to bid it. If we have someone who can buy it to develop the economy with a business. 

Dellos asked if Security State Bank was still interested in purchasing the building. Duncan said at one time the bank was serious about purchasing it. He has not approached them recently because he wanted to know how the council was feeling first before he put feelers out. The last time the bank was approached they were not as interested as they were before.  

Hopkin responded he believes the town owns enough buildings, “We need to get rid of some of the properties that we have.” 

Duncan’s response was that the town has worked very hard in the last 10 years getting rid of properties that are costing the town money. He gave the example of Washington Park. He continued that the building in question worked out as a rental property but because of the roof, the town didn’t make money. 

“I think as far as taxpayer’s dollars go it would be better off to sell it. Reinvest that income somewhere else,” Duncan said.  

Dellos stated that it would be a good idea for the town to break down where the equipment stored in the back half of the building would be stored. “Our garbage truck has been in there for years. Where do you put that? You have to have it heated somewhere.” 

Duncan responded that he has made some phone calls. “Ninety percent of the companies that run garbage trucks just plug them in outside. They don’t keep them inside. It isn’t profitable for them to build buildings to store them.” The town has two garbage trucks, one is a backup. 

The mayor expressed he is more concerned about the sand truck as frozen sand does not spread well. It can be loaded up, parked inside at night and be ready to sand roads in the morning. He continued that he had visited with Harrison about this as well. Duncan believes there is some equipment that could be sold that would create room. 

“That discussion needs to happen. As we move forward, we can work on that,” Duncan said. 

SEWER PROJECT 

Duncan gave an update on the sewer project. He said, “Not a lot has changed. Last month we did decide to have Kent send a letter of cancelation to AVI and also to refuse the bids for phase two. We are still waiting on some communication from [Rural Development] on how we can utilize the remaining balance in the loan and the grant portion or if we just want to stay where we are at. There will be some changes that have to happen depending on what we decide to do for design to have it move forward.” 

He continued that there have been discussions with town engineer Jesse Frisbee to get preliminary numbers on suggestions that came from Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. The town will explore those options and wait until those numbers are received before making a final decision. 

Duncan went on, “If we continue to use the approved loan with the remaining funds of $835,000 and then utilize the grant funds ($1,412,000) that would be available after that, our yearly payment will go up to $101,348. If we choose to go that route, it will be an increase of about $4 a month per sewer account. If we chose to stay where we are at, then there could potentially not be an increase to the sewer base fee to the residents.”

Hopkin asked if the decision would pertain to what the DEQ will let the town do. Duncan replied that would have to be a part of the discussion. He noted that the DEQ may say the town cannot stay where it is at with the sewer. If that is the case the town will have to continue to use the funding they have in place. 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Town Administrator Deaun Tigner presented the administration summary report. She noted that training has been set up for payroll and accounts payable for the year end. She has a meeting the following day with Ayres, Wyoming DEQ and the Wyoming Business Council to further discuss the SPURR program that could help with assessment activities redevelopment, revitalization and clean up.  An inspection of the current town hall has been done by the DEQ for asbestos, lead paint, etc.  The meeting was to ask questions and additional information from the town to help finalize their recommendations. 

Her report also included upcoming rentals of the town hall conference room for meetings/events; ninety-one delinquent notices were sent, five customers were shut off and the town is considering hiring a collection agency for delinquent accounts. 

Chief Kyle McClure gave the police department report. He said it was pretty short and sweet. He explained that public works has been using some of the old police radios. It has been working well. Bill Dahlke (Electrical Department) is working with the FCC to get a federal license to get the town’s frequency reinstated. The public works could then have their own radios to communicate. The PD also did an escort for a military funeral. McClure is still working with the ordinance officer 

OTHER BUSINESS 

• Councilperson Brent Godfrey had an excused absence. 

• The public works/water and electric monthly department written reports were reviewed by council as the department heads were out of town. Duncan read a few highlights from each report. Hopkin noted the town crew told him that the reading of the meters only took them ½ day vs the usual week. He added it was because of the new meters. Thus far 1/3 of the meters have been replaced by the new ones. Hopkin said he wanted to give kudos. 

• The council approved a request for individuals to put up Christmas lights in the old town hall on Fourth Street. The mayor noted he would visit with public works about putting up lights at Turtle Park as well. 

• The council reviewed building/demolition permits. 

• An executive session was held for contract negations. 

• The date for the town Christmas party was set. 

• Ordinance 718 Mobile/Manufactured homes passed on first reading with an amendment. It now reads mobile/manufactured homes older than 20 years will not be permitted anywhere in the town of Basin. Homes that are currently in town that age may be grandfathered in.