Town moves forward with vacating property

The Basin Town Council voted during its July 10 meeting to vacate a portion of land on North Eighth Street to Brianna and Tyler Williamson. 

In June, the Williamsons sent a letter of interest to the town for a portion of property adjacent to their home. They have been taking care of the property for seven years as they thought it belonged to them. There is a large power pole on the lot. At the June council meeting the town decided to do some additional research on the property and possible options. 

Town Attorney Kent Richins told the council at this meeting, “We could go with either maintaining it as a street as it is, but it is not really a street. (On the original plat it would be a continuation of F Street should the town choose to develop.) Or we could put it out to bid for the highest bidder who would acquire it. I think the best option is if we want, entertain what the Williamsons are requesting. To vacate that and quit claim deed half to the Williamsons and half to the party on the other side. 

Councilman Chuck Hopkin stated that he realizes that the town doesn’t use the property. “But if you have gone down there and drove and looked at this property ... if they were to develop that, which has been started (subdivision) behind this property and we wanted a road through there for the city ... that easement is the only access other than from Golf Course Road.” 

Mayor CJ Duncan said he had reviewed the new subdivision plan, and it shows the subdivision access does not include the portion of land the Williamsons are requesting.  He conceded that Hopkin had a good point, but it isn’t applicable. 

Town Engineer Jesse Frisbee told the council that the portion of land behind the Williamsons has not been subdivided. It is currently a hay field. 

 Harrison asked if the town would maintain a utility easement on the vacated property. Duncan said yes. He said he believes the council should give the Williamsons an answer either way. Councilman Brent Godfrey made the motion to vacate. It was seconded by Councilman Mike Dellos. (Councilwoman Linda Weeks was not in attendance.) 

Brianna Williamson was at the meeting. She informed the council there are two power poles — one on the property and one in the alley. They have no issue with access to maintain either pole. When and if they build a fence, they will ensure the gates on the fences will be wide enough so a large service truck could get access to the power pole.  Richins said the motion should include a quit claim deed and an 80-foot utility easement.  Hopkin asked, “If we vacate that, we are giving the property to her?” Godfrey replied that anything the town vacates, the property owners on either side are entitled to it. That is state law. 

Hopkin then asked if the property owner that owns the hayfield and the approved subdivision decides to develop the hayfield, there would be no way to access the property from North Eighth Street. Frisbee said there is G Street, which is an alley between a home and the substation. Or they will have to access from Golf Course Road. Dellos and Godfrey voted yes on the motion. Hopkin voted no. The motion carried. 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS 

Town Foreman Tony Harrison said the town crew was shorthanded but had been working hard. A lot of payment patching has been done. There was a problem with a six-inch drain on Holdrege Avenue because of tree roots. The crew has been picking up branches and meter readings. Harrison purchased a cyclone rake that will help with leaf pickup in the fall. He also ordered a new lawn mower. The roof repair/replacement for the old town hall was scheduled. The crew has also been spraying for weeds and fertilizing. About 75 sprinkler heads have been replaced at the cemetery and parks. 

He thanked the electrical and police departments for helping the public works department. 

The electrical department report was given by Bill Dahlke. They have changed out two poles, retro-fitted 14 transformers with lightning arrestors. The department also installed six new transformer basements, trimmed trees and fixed a transformer in the alley that have a melting under sized wire.  Duncan asked the status of the substation by the fairgrounds. Dahlke they are waiting for parts that were ordered in May. 

Hopkin asked the status of the pole attachment agreements. Richins noted that the town needs to know when the attachments were attached. He asked Dahlke to get the information to him. 

Godfrey asked Dahlke about the fire sirens. He wondered if the town was maintaining and replacing batteries. Dahlke said that he was not aware of any guidelines on this. The electrical crew did replace the batteries the last time. They did maintenance at that time too.  The town will reach out to the county’s emergency management coordinator LaRae Dobbs. 

Duncan said, bottom line, the sirens serve the town very well. He feels the town should take the responsibility. If Emergency Management wants to help with the cost, that will be welcome. 

Town Administrator Deaun Tigner reported she has spent a lot of time with Harrison working getting ready for the new fiscal year. A new person was hired for public works. 

Hopkin asked about a grant for an antenna for the town. He was told the grant was disconnected. 

Next up was Chief Kyle McClure with the police department report. He said they had a busy month in June. There were 386 incidents which is up 150 from 2024. No arrests were made. 

The department is still waiting for delivery and installation for the vehicle radios. McClure has been involved with meetings with school districts and other law enforcement agencies regarding repeal of the gun free zones act. He has been working with Harrison and Tigner on a new position. The person would work part time on ordinance violations and part time for the public works department. 

OTHER BUSINESS

• Jessica Williams, Open Space Counseling discussed her concerns about a sewer issue at her business on West C Street. She hired a plumber, who believed that the issue was caused by the town putting in a power pole. The pole was for a new business next to her office. After some back and forth, including information from town electrician Bill Dahlke, Williams was asked to investigate more and to include the town in the loop with the plumber. If the town caused the issue, they would work with her to remedy it. 

• A building permit was approved for Weber on West E Street for a deck. 

• Hopkin gave a rec district report. He reported that the rec board’s meeting on July 2 they discussed the agreement between the district, town and school. He received verification from the school district they have no reservations about it. They were going to have their attorney talk to the town attorney. Richins said he had spoken to the district’s attorney. He said he told that attorney that the town’s position was the agreement should be between the rec district and school district. The town does not need to be a part of it as the town has leased the property to the rec district.   

Richins asked Hopkin for a clarification on “no reservations.” Hopkin replied, “They read it and turned it over to their lawyer and instructed him to contact you.” 

• The town beautification committee update included workday at Russell Park on July 12. A town of Basin flag has been ordered for the flagpole. Harrison said the flagpole and ropes are good. There is only one bench at Russell Park but three at South Park. Harrison said one of the benches from South Park would be brought to Russell Park. 

• Duncan reported for the activities committee that patio heaters were purchased for Home for the Holidays. These will replace the wood fire barrels. If the town gets an ice-skating rink again, the heaters would be used there. 

• Harrison gave an update for the South Big Horn County Joint Powers Board. He said financially it is in good shape. He noted the Regional Joint Powers Board rents a space in the County Joint Powers building. 

• The Big Horn Regional Joint Powers Board update was given by Duncan. He said they were in good financial shape as well. Possible funding for future projects were also discussed. 

• Twenty-four-hour alcoholic beverage permits for Lisa’s Western Cuisine were approved. They are for the Big Horn County Fair.