TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council convened for its first September meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the Torrington Council Chambers. Mayor Herb Doby was present with council members Richard Patterson, Dennis Kelly, Wayne Deahl and Shane Viktorin. 

Chief of Police Matt Johnson took a few minutes at the beginning of the meeting to remember the service and sacrifice of Torrington Police Department (TPD) Lieutenant Harley Mark. 

Mark gave his life to the community on September 7, 1993. Johnson said Mark was fatally wounded in a motor vehicle accident while attempting to apprehend a violent predator who had harmed our community greatly.

“He selflessly placed the safety of others above his own,” Johnson told the council and community. “We will never forget his sacrifice or that of his family.”

“Mark was a man who didn’t think less of himself, but instead he thought more of others,” Johnson continued. “He was deeply committed to serving our community, building relationships and loving his family. We all are grateful recipients of the investments that he made here.”

Several members of the TPD presented Mark’s family with bouquets and paid their respects. The council also paid their respects to the family.

Director of Public Works and City Engineer Jeff Harkins presented the winning bid for the fiscal year 2024 “Golf Course Parking Lot Improvements (Phase II)” project. The winning bid was for J-Built Homes, Inc. of Torrington in the amount of $142,742.45. The other bid that was received was for Paul Reed Construction in the amount of $207,476.85.

“Funding for this project was established in the fiscal year 2024 budget under account number 10-90-230 in the amount of $120,000, $70,000 of that is ARPA NEU funds, $30,000 was the gold course trail fees, $20,000 was the progress program grant from Goshen Economic Development,” Harkins said. 

“Phase one went right next to the cart barn,” he continued. “The proposed phase two project was going to go all the way out parallel to what was done previously, come down and then continue out toward the main road.”

The project includes the removal, excavation and placement of parking pavement at the golf course. Each phase of the project is designed to replace the next section of the parking lot until the entire lot is finished.

However, Harkins explained that the bid came out to $22,742.45 over budget. In order to stay within budget, he said they will scale back the project slightly, which will keep them within the $120,000 budget amount.

The council unanimously approved the project.

City Attorney James Eddington presented the notice of intent to be a party with the Goshen Solar Project to the council.

“[By filing to be a party, we will have the right] to be informed, be a participant and be compensated with impact funds,” Eddington said. 

Doby explained that there are expected to be about 300 workers that are supposed to come in for the construction of this project. The impact funds help support communities that will be affected by the onslaught of workers. They can help support the increased need for law enforcement and ambulance services. 

“I consider it critical that we file this and become a party,” Doby said. “By being a party, it gives us rights and privileges that we would not have as a non-party, including participation and pairing, the ability to provide motions, documents, exhibits and so on.”

At this time, the only other city in the county that is for sure also planning to file to be a party is Yoder.

The council unanimously approved.

City Clerk and Treasurer Lynette Strecker presented the partnership agreement between the city of Torrington and Go Goshen to the council. She said this agreement was discussed at the work session. It has been in place for at least eight years. 

 “[With this agreement the city has been allowed to apply for grants,] we’ve applied every year that it’s been available and have been approved,” Strecker said.

The council approved the partnership agreement with a three-to-one vote.

Doby presented the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the town of Lingle and the city of Torrington. After the multiple West Nile cases which have been reported in Goshen County the need for spraying has become dire.

According to Strecker, this agreement was created with the purpose of recording the agreement between the two towns to provide Lingle with mosquito spray. Lingle approached the city of Torrington because they do not have any employees who are legally permitted to use the spray. It was agreed that the town of Lingle would pay $28 per hour for a Torrington employee to provide this service.

The council unanimously approved.

The council ratified an MOU that was signed on Aug. 30 between Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) and the city of Torrington’s Waggin’ Tails Shelter. 

Johnson explained that this agreement was created so the shelter could provide animals for the vet tech students to take care of for their classes. The students also volunteer at times at the shelter. This MOU is required for the program’s certification process.

The council ratified an open container permit that was approved on Aug. 25 for Diana May for a Retirement Party that was held on Sept. 3 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Jirdon Park. 

The council approved a catering permit for Julie Miller-Harshberger with the 307 Sports Bar and Grill for a Ladies Night at the theatre to be held on Sept. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at 126 East 20th Avenue.

The council approved three open container permits for Nathan Kendall with the Elks Lodge 1726 for a Fall Convention event to be held Sept. 14, 15 and 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. The permitted area will be confined to the outside space on the Elks Lodge property in front of the building facing East 20th Avenue.

They also approved a special event permit for Shawn Keith with Torrington High School for the Homecoming Parade to be held on Sept. 22 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Main Street. The fee for this permit was also waived due to the fact that Goshen County School District 1 is a non-profit organization.

The council accepted the financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

During the mayoral informational part of the meeting, Doby gave updates on the city.

“Please continue to acquaint yourselves with recent traffic and pedestrian control changes,” Doby said. “Especially the new four-way stop signs at the entrance and exit to the Torrington Middle School and the 17 new pedestrian crosswalks that extend the entire length of the city walking path.”

The next meeting of the Torrington City Council will take place Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Torrington City Council Chambers at 436 East 22nd Avenue.