TORRINGTON – Torrington’s city departments are experiencing staffing shortages due to the impact of COVID-19 infections, according to Torrington Mayor Randy Adams. 

“We currently have several departments operating on split shifts in order to be able to deliver the critical infrastructure of water, sewer, electricity and garbage,” Adams said. “The city of Torrington will do whatever is necessary to continue to provide these critical services to our community.”

Adams said the Goshen County Department of Health had reported 132 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past week with one new death related to COVID-19. As of press time, the Wyoming Department of Health reports 684 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Goshen County with 318 active cases. 

Adams encouraged citizens of Torrington to avoid gathering in large groups, washing hands often, using hand sanitizer and wiping potentially contagious surfaces. He also urged citizen to stay home and avoid crowds to protect themselves, their family, their friends and the public. 

Torrington’s previous city council meeting was the final meeting with Councilwoman Deanna Hill as part of the council. As result of her resignation, the council is seeking an eligible Torrington resident to fill the vacancy. Those eligible for the position must be residents of Torrington who are registered to vote. 

Persons interested in the position need to have a letter of interest submitted to Clerk-Treasurer Lynette Strecker by Friday, Jan. 8, at 4 p.m.

The newly appointed councilman or councilwoman will be sworn in at the Jan. 19 meeting.

Torrington residents could see an increase in sewage usage fees to pay back a $3.5 million Wyoming Clean Water State Revolving Loan for a Wastewater Treatment Plan Modifications Project. The council held a public hearing on the matter, giving citizens an opportunity to weigh in on the matter. 

City of Torrington Engineer Jeff Harkins said the city was previously eligible for 50% forgiveness of the principal amount of the loan but were now only eligible for 14% forgiveness, or $503,420, of the project’s $3.5 million cost. Harkins said the reduction was made because of the state’s current financial status. 

Harkins said the city had also applied for a mineral royalty grant and would be bringing that before the board sometime in January.
Harkins told the council the city would be responsible for approximately $3 million of the loan payment as of now. 

Councilman Bill Law said he and Harkins had previously discussed an increase in sewer usage fees to pay for the project. Harkins said he and Strecker had ran the numbers and the figures were accurate.

Dennis Kelly of Torrington spoke in favor of the project and asked how the city intended to pay the $3.5 million loan; also asking for clarification about the figures discussed by Law, Harkins and Strecker. 

Kelly said he knew the project had started four or five years ago but was blown out of proportion at the time. He added the city needed the project to be completed but wished to know more about the number Law and Harkins previously discussed.

Strecker said the actual loan amount, without any grant assistance, would be about $2.9 million. The annual payment would then be about $192,000. Strecker said the city bills about 193,000 gallons per million each year. In turn, the city would charge about $1 per thousand gallons to come up with the $192,000. 

Strecker said the council could also decide to assess a fixed rate increase to cover the cost of the project, but it wouldn’t be decided until the project was finalized. 

Nobody chose to speak in opposition to the loan application and the council approved the application unanimously.

In other news, the council unanimously approved to proclaim Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19 and Dec. 26 as Small Business Saturday. The proclamation recognized the vast impact of small businesses and the “contributions they make to our local economy and community.”

The proclamation read, “the City of Torrington, Wyoming supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our communities…and urge the residents of our community, and communities across the country, to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.”

Torrington Golf Course Manager David Dent was unable to attend the meeting due to his recovery from COVID-19, but Adams addressed the matter of fee increases for the 2021 golf season. Adams listed off a slew of increases, but said they were consistent with previous years’ increases. 

City Attorney James Eddington read the third readings of two ordinance revisions establishing an R-2A zoning for the properties at 902 and 910 Sheridan Street and an R-2 zoning for the Halco 2nd Addition. The council unanimously approved both third readings.

Adams told the council he had learned the annual Winter Lights and Magical Nights Christmas Parade scheduled for Friday had been cancelled due to a lack of participation from the community. 

Law said he had heard the information as well but suspected this was the only event affected by the cancellation. Law recommended area residents to stay tuned regarding the Christmas tree lighting at the Goshen County Courthouse. 

Stay tuned to The Telegram’s website and Facebook page for updates on holiday events.