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edtl.r ,; December 17, 2015 -- 7
news letter journal
Todd Bennington
NLJ Reporter
Sweetwater Improvement and Service
District Director Bob Strickland appeared,
along with project engineer Ed Nowak,
before the Weston County Commissioners
on Dec. 1. The pair detailed plans to install
approximately 3,000 feet of six-inch water
pipe within Breakneck Road, and requested
that the commissioners allow access to the
county's area of easement on the road in
order to do so.
Nowak explained to the commissioners
that the improvements are federally man-
dated.
"The EPA had determined that
Sweetwater Improvement and Service
District is in violation of the Safe Drinking
Water Act," said Nowak. "They are sup-
plying unfiltered surface water to some of
the homes in their district, so they're under
administrative order to correct that."
Nowak continued, saying fines could
follow if the improvements are not made
in a timely manner. County Assessor Tina
Conklin said she believes the potential fine
ranges as high as $35,000 per day.
"It needs to be finished by the end of
August or the EPA wants a very good reason
why," Conklin stated.
The plan involves Cambria Improvement
and Service District supplying water to the
Sweetwater homes, and Conklin told the
commissioners that agreements to supply the
water have already been signed between the
Cambria District and the City of Newcastle,
as well as between the Sweetwater and
Cambria Districts.
In answer to questions from the commis-
sioners, Nowak said the taps involved will
be on a metered system, which he said has
the benefit of encouraging people to con-
serve water as opposed to a flat fee system.
Nowak told the commissioners that the
planned water line size of six inches is due
to cost concerns. He said other alternatives,
including the drilling of a Madison well, had
been considered but were deemed unfea-
sible due to the costs involved and limited
number of residences served.
Commission Chair Bill Lambert
expressed concerns about the lack of an
emergency shutoff feature in case of a leak,
but Nowak contended such a precaution is
unwarranted.
County Administrative Assistant Dan
Blakeman wondered as to potential growth
in the Sweetwater District area and whether
an 8-inch line wouldn't be more appropriate.
Blakeman also enquired into what fire pro-
tection services are available in the area.
Nowak said an 8-inch would be neces-
sary in order to provide fire protection,
which is not offered due to cost and the
number of hydrants required.
From a legal standpoint, County Attorney
William Curley expressed concern about
the placement of the line in the road. The
relevant question in terms of the county
-- See Waterline, Page 9
Main Street Gym
214W. Main St. * 746-5601
"Make the most of yourself
for that is all there is of you"
from page 1 ...................................................................................................................................................
team," she reasoned.
Trustee Joe Corley said he
doesn't expect to see the turnout
of the numbers necessary, while
Chair Bob Bonnar said he
doesn't think anything is added
by the plan that doesn't already
exist within the community
through the soccer league. The
expenditure is fiscally irrespon-
sible, Bonnar further seemed
to suggest, noting the cost of
putting on activities through the
school is significantly higher
than when it's done by private
entities. He also pointed to
the fact that the transportation
reimbursement from the state
is currently under consider-
ation by the Legislature and
the present 100-percent reim-
bursement rate may be reduced.
He said the trustees should be
good stewards of public funds
regardless of where they're
coining from.
"it's not free just because
the state pays for it ... I think
we've got a great community
program already," he said.
Trustee Dean Johnson
worried that with the economy
in a downward trend, the expan-
sion plan comes at a difficult
time, while Wright rebutted
that he believes that a shrinking
economy will be felt within the
community before it shows up
in terms of school funding.
Several visitors in atten-
dance spoke in favor of the plan,
while Middle School Principal
Todd Quigley mentioned to the
board that his numerous past
attempts to expand the swim-
ming program never received
the same consideration that the
soccer program expansion has.
Later, well after the vote had
been taken, Quigley asked the
board for some direction, noting
that the middle school typically
follows the Wyoming High
School Activities Association
rules, which prevent a school
from offering a team sport at
the same time as the sport is
available through outside club
teams. Quigley noted that there
are two non-school sanctioned
soccer tournaments that take
place in the spring. He also
questioned the board in regard
to the scheduling of games
against non-school rec teams.
High School Principal
Tracy Ragland said that both
of Quigley's questions raises
issues in regard to catastrophic
insurance coverage and thus are
legal matters.
Trustees John Riesland and
Tom Wright expressed irritation
with Quigley. Riesland accused
him of setting up the board by
not broaching the issues earlier,
which Quigley denied, saying
he'd only thought to ask the
questions of the board that day.
Ragland said that WHSAA
regulations tend to be very
loosely interpreted when
applied below the ninth grade.
While the athletes would be
covered by insurance should
they play another school team,
a gray area would exist if they
were to play a team not affili-
ated with a school or if they
were to take part in tourna-
ments or other events as part
of another, non-school team
themselves. Superintendent
Brad LaCroix said he would
enquire into the issues raised.
On a related note, Trustee
Wright made a motion to allow
for participation in two school
sports simultaneously, which
passed unanimously on its first
of three readings. Chairman
Bonnar said he was in support
of the motion because its dis-
cussion will help to provide
clarification by answering
some questions that have come
up in the context of the soccer
matter.
School Notes
Items diseut~sed at the Dec. 9 meeting of the WCSD #1 Board of:Trustees induded t~e foltowing: ..... ~ .... .....
~*' Officer elections were held with
Bob Bonnar elected as board chair,
Tina Chick as vice chair. Tom Wright as
d an ,'~
25 participants were neede : d : 29 remaiii the: sa , she said: .......
ended up donating, she said. • Transportation Director Mark
• High School Principal Tracy Peterson reported that he has two pro-
to donate basketballs in order to help get Behind. Ragland said the act has provi- a food drive m provide items for Bread
community open gyms started. Bettorf sions allowing those who have gradu- Inc. had been successful; He asked that
said adult open gyms will begin in ated from a certificate program with people keep district bus" driver Dave
January with youth/family open gyms no prior teaching background to beWhitford in their thoughts and prayers.
planned for later in the year. hired and paid at the level of those Whifford is currently in Denver under-
. Attorney Don Hansen reported on .................................. going treatment for leukemia.
which protects state governmental enti-
ties from lawsuits in most instances.
except when negligence can be demon-
strated. In most cases the district would
be liable for no more than $250,000 per
claim or $500,000 for multiple claims
stemming from the same incident,
Hansen stated.
"If you buy $10 million worth of
insurance coverage then you just raised
your potential liability to $10 million
.... " Hansen explained, noting the
limitations on liability imposed by the
Claims Act apply to standard tort claims.
"We're talking lawsuits in District
Court right down here on Main Street.
We're not talking federal constitutional
violations, anything like that. This is
just torts. If you get into those other
areas, everything I just told you doesn't
even apply," he continued, adding that
the amount of insurance the district
should carry is up to the trustees to make
as a board. No action was taken.
• Student Representative Sierra
LaCroix described the blood drive
funding it receives. Trustee Tom Wright to students. Quigley added that he is
said he believes the state's Professional following a lawsuit in regard to a stu-
Teaching Standards Board won't have to dent's use of social media in the state of
certify such instructors. Chairman Bob Minnesota that may have repercussions
to an unnecessary degree federal regula- Cass reported special education skiing
tions that may have been written with will begin this week.
other areas of the country in mind. • Superintendent Brad LaCroix
• Eastern Wyoming College Outreach reported that a dinner with legislatures
School students enrolled in concurrent prepare questions for the state legisla-
courses this fall and that 31 concurrent tars beforehand. Chairman Bonnar said
courses were offered in total, he believes a casual format has worked
• Curriculum Director Sonya Tysdal in the past and recommended against
reported that the new federal law preparing formalquestions.
replacing No Child Left behind should oat the tee board meeting immedi-
mean that the of the board
have to serve
state accountability systems, though board chair, Dana Gordon was elected
the new legislation contains lots of as vice chair, Dean Johnson was elected
unknowns. As far as testing goes, the as clerk, and Joe Corley was elected as
recently held at the school as a success, subjects and grade levels tested should treasurer.
Winter
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All ages and skill levels are welcome
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Mon - Thurs ll a.m - 7 p.m.
Frl-Sat 11 a.rn, - 9 p.m.
NOTICE
The first half of the 2015 property taxes
became delinquent November 11,2015.
If you pay the full taxes by December 31,
2015, no interest will be charged.
Susan Overman
Weston County
Treasurer
B &97 Custom Mat and Frame
or call for appointment
Will travel to Upton on Tuesdays
and Sundance on Wednesdays
A Message from Weston County Public Health
If you know someone who is in crisis::
Take a step forward
Recognize the signs of someone who is depressed
or suicidal
Availability of means. Remove any firearm& drugs
or sharp objects that could be used for suicide
Encourage the person to see a counselor physician
minister, or menial health professional immediately
If YOU are in crisis:
Take a step :back
Getting help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of
strength
Realize you're not alone; there are Nple who care
about you and want to help
Avoid alcohol drugs and other methods of self.
medication especially if you are in crisis
Everyone's recovery is different; don't give Up. With
help. comes hope
For more information and resources, go to
.w.. ww.,gr..ac~[or;~ !~rg..t..h .e.r..s: .c .o[~)
Call 91 I or the National Suicide prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-talk ( 1-800-273-82.55)