Town secures grant to begin water system improvements

The Town of Greybull is inching closer to starting the first phase of improvements to its water transmission system.

The first of three phases calls for the replacement of the storage tank and the first 5 1/2-mile segment of the 17-mile transmission line that delivers water to it from the town’s three underground wells near Shell.

Both the tank and the transmission line are more than 50 years old and failing, and the town has been seeking funding from two sources to address them.

Having already received a positive response on their request for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan, the town got the other green light it needed earlier this month at a joint meeting of the Wyoming Water Development Commission and the legislature’s Select Water Committee.

A WWDC grant of $1.582 million was approved for the preconstruction of the first phase and all eligible costs related to the water tank replacement. The grant amount covers 50% of the total cost.

“Some easements are required for the transmission pipeline, which could delay the project,” read the recommendation from the Wyoming Water Development Office.  “The tank and some associated pipeline work will be completed on town-owned property, so no delays should occur with funding this portion now.”

Administrator/Finance Director Dawn Norton, who attended the meeting with Mayor Myles Foley, said the town would have to approach the WWDC for additional funding once the preconstruction work is complete.

In other Monday night business:

• Norton announced that the town has yet to fill its public works foreman position, vacated earlier this fall by Mason Irvine.

• The town opened bids for the purchase of a new truck for the public works crew.  Three were received — Fremont-Riverton, $47,056 for a 2026 Chevy Silverado; Fremont-Lander, $50,153 for a 2026 Ford F-250, and Denny Menholt-Cody, $45,938 for a 2026 Chevy Silverado.

Ralph Matheny, of the public works crew, was tasked with reviewing the bids.

No decision had been made prior to the council adjourning to executive session.

• Norton also reported that the bidding process for the new multi-purpose court is expected to begin soon.