Manderson seeking own water operator

During the Sept. 14 Manderson Town Council meeting, there was a discussion about the town getting its own water operator.  
Town resident Chris Saunders told the council that he's been discussing books and what needs to be done with Kim Parker, the   operator certification officer for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
"She told me that Mr. David Frame is the facility administrator for the town. Mike Dellos ... it was pulled from him because he wasn’t doing anything for the town of Manderson.”  (The facility administrator is the person responsible for keeping the Town of Manderson’s list of operators up to date.)
Saunders said before he could do any of the work discussed the previous month, Frame would have to designate him as an operator for the town. Saunders said he has asked Frame to do this several times.  He also noted he has been working with Mayor Rod Patrick to figure things out. The cost of the books needed for training for water treatment and wastewater is $100.
Mayor Patrick said he thought Frame was listed as operator and trainer. Saunders reiterated that he was told by Parker that Frame was listed only as an administrator. At one point, Dellos was listed as facility administrator but when Frame called DEQ to work on getting an operator license, Parker changed Frame to the administrator.
Mayor Patrick explained that when he got his license, he had to be an operator-in-training first, then pass a test. Saunders went on to say that Parker told him he had to be employed with the town. “That’s just a small technicality. I believe when I gave my mosquito license to the town, I believe I already became an employee of the town per se. So that part is already taken care of.” He added that the state was requesting documentation from when Saunders already worked for the town under Kenny Hall, when Hall was the water operator. This needs to be sent in along with a letter on the town’s letterhead.  
At this point he is waiting for Frame to designate him as the operator or operator in training, get the books and then take the test. “Then the town will have an operator on staff,” finished Saunders.
The mayor said the town will try to get together with Parker to see if Saunders can be put in under Frame as operator-in-training until Saunders passes the test. He figures Saunders will soon have enough hours to get his regular license.
A clarification was requested as to whether Saunders is currently an employee of the town. Saunders said he believed he was. The mayor said Saunders was because he is currently the backup mosquito sprayer.
Bugs Chambers, whose husband Troy is a council member and town’s current mosquito sprayer, said when he was hired to do the spaying, he was hired as a contractor, not an employee.
Mayor Patrick responded that it was a fine line. He explained, “If you are going to be a contractor, you have to furnish all your own equipment. So, he is slash employee, part contractor.”
Councilman Troy Chambers said that while Saunders has been hired as the backup mosquito sprayer, the hiring was not approved through the council. The hiring of Saunders for this position was then added to the agenda. The motion to hire him passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
• Thea Chambers asked the about the town putting the ordinances online. She volunteered to help do this. Mayor Patrick said the town would get something together for her and he appreciates the help.
• The mayor read a statement he said was from Carlene Brown, who was unable to attend. The statement said she has seen animals in the park and people sitting at the picnic table. The mayor noted that animals are not allowed in the park unless it is a service dog. “No sheep, no goat, no chickens, no dogs, no nothing.” He added this will be enforced and there will be fines.
• UW’s Big Horn County’s community vitality and health educator Melissa Cook introduced herself to the council.
• A fall clean-up will not take place this year as the mayor and some council members said the town could not afford it. The cost includes the rental of dumpsters, mileage and weight.  According to the mayor, bills were coming in from the previous administration that the town was struggling to pay, including one for $5,000. The town is also going through an audit. Council Tim Patrick said the town is having to use the community fund to pay bills.
• No clerk/treasurer report was available as the clerk, Lisa Ruffing, had an excused absence. No maintenance report was given as David Frame was not at the meeting. There was discussion as to whether his absence was excused.