Town addresses leash law, people picking up after their pets

The town’s leash law and the presence of dog feces on the walking trail were discussed at the Sept. 11 meeting of the Basin Town Council.

Several audience members brought up that there is dog feces on the town’s walking path. Town resident Peggy Danna said when she walks her dogs, it is hard for them and herself not to step on the dog poop that has been left by irresponsible people. She said it is the owner’s responsibility, not the town’s. 

Mayor CJ Duncan said there are signs on the entrances of the walk and the town tries to make sure there are bags. Chief Kyle McClure said he would send the town’s ordinance officer, Steve Gergley, to walk the path to remind people. It was suggested early mornings would be the best time. Duncan added “Bottom line, if you’re going to have a pet you should be responsible for your animal. Keeping it in your yard, keeping it on a leash, picking up after it. Basin does have a leash law.” 

He continued that he is up there quite often and sees about 80% of people using the path aren’t keeping their dogs under control. This is another issue the town needs to address. 

The council also discussed further the possibility of a fenced dog park at Lion’s Field. Duncan asked Town Engineer Jesse Frisbee to come up with an idea for the dog park and an ice rink. Frisbee gave the council a mockup of what that might look like; he said it was just a rough idea. 

There was an extended conversation about the logistics. Council person Linda Weeks said she liked it a lot and it would be a way to improve the area. She would like to see what the costs would be. 

Councilman Chuck Hopkin asked if the town still had the outside bracing from the old rink. Duncan said he has seen it in a couple of different spots like behind the town shop. Councilman Mike Dellos asked what size it would be. Frisbee said that what is on the mockup is what the original rink was (80 x 170). Councilperson Brent Godfrey reminded the council that the town had promised to rebuild the rink when it was taken down. To him the rink takes priority over the dog park. 

Dellos noted that the town needs to find out the cost before committing to do the project(s). The council voted to have Frisbee to research costs and bring them back to the council. 

MATTERS OF THE STAFF 

Town Foreman Tony Harrison gave the public works and administration reports. Town Administrator Deaun Tigner was unable to be at the meeting. During the public works portion, Harrison noted the crew has been training including the water distribution test. 

For the administration report Harrison said Joshua Fischer has been hired to work part time in the office. Also, an increase in chicken permits and dog tags was reported. 

Duncan added that Tigner, Frisbee and himself had met with a rep for USDA’s Rural Development Loan and Grant program regarding financing for the sewer lagoon. The town does not have any solid answers yet about possible financing. 

Bill Dahlke gave the Electrical Department report. He explained that the planned electrical outage lasted only 35 minutes. The crew deserves a big pat on the back for working diligently to make the substation transfer happen. Duncan praised the crew for the quick work. “That was five agencies coming together. You guys did a phenomenal job coordinating getting it ready to go and done.” 

  Godfrey said the fire department had provided a generator to a citizen that was concerned about not having power for his oxygen. The individual didn’t even have to start the generator because the work was done so quickly. 

 One of the projects the town crew is considering is replacing two rotten poles near the grocery store. 

McClure said Gergley has been doing well. His hours are split between ordinance enforcement and the town crew. McClure added the training for ordinance is slow as they have to make sure Gergley understands court proceedings.  There have been 17 contacts for ordinance violations and five letters sent to vacant properties. There has been a lot of positive response from those Cregley has had contact with. 

OTHER BUSINESS

• A moment of silence was held at the start of the meeting to honor those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001. 

• Town Attorney Kent Richins presented information about utility pole attachments. He said the agreements state that there is a $25 fee for each attachment to the town’s power poles. The agreements are for TCT and Spectrum. Hopkin thanked Dahlke and Richins for their hard work on the project. 

• An executive session was held for potential litigation. 

• The council voted to terminate the agreement with the Stulc gravel pit for which the town had a mining permit lease.