Commissioners lift fire ban

Holly Dorman
Posted 11/4/21

The Goshen County Commissioners met Tuesday, Nov. 2 to hear reports from department heads and lifted the partial fire ban on Goshen County.

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Commissioners lift fire ban

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TORRINGTON – The Goshen County Commissioners met Tuesday, Nov. 2 to hear reports from department heads and lifted the partial fire ban on Goshen County.

The meeting began at 9 a.m. at the Goshen County Courthouse. Chairman John Ellis led the meeting, beginning with a mention of the Oct. 19 joint meeting and process with other counties in Lusk to appoint a new representative after the resignation of Hans Hunt.

“I enjoyed it and I thought it was well done,” Ellis said.

Goshen County Road and Bridge Department shared its report first. Road Superintendent Valorie Hankins presented the department’s request for a credit card to help pay for new equipment. The commission approved the request.

With several permits in the works coming through Road and Bridge and recent snowfall in the county, Commissioner Justin Burkhart asked about the possibility of a map showing which roads were the county’s first priority for snowplows. The map would be available to the public and, while it would be difficult to say exactly what time snowplows would reach certain roads, citizens would know where the snowplows were headed first and be able to plan accordingly.

Burkhart also said the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution had contacted the Commission about clearing a road to and from the prison in the early hours of the morning to let personnel come and go during shift changes. WMCI usually changes shifts at 5:45 a.m. and personnel often find themselves stuck in the snow if the snowplows haven’t reached it yet.

Hankins agreed a map and prioritizing a way to and from the prison were both things Road and Bridge could do. She also updated the commission on the overall state of things at Road and Bridge saying, “Communication is good.”

County Surveyor Bob Taylor and County Planner Gary Childs presented the commission with seven subdivision plats all needing individual approval from the commission before work could continue. The commission approved all seven plats.

Goshen County Deputy Assessor Tricia Otten presented the County Assessor’s report, including two reduction orders needing the commission’s approval. After a misunderstanding regarding some notes on tax forms, a Goshen County resident found himself with a bill much higher than what he was expecting. After clearing up the confusion with the County Assessor’s office and with Tuesday’s approval from the commission, the mistake has been rectified and the bill corrected.

Goshen County Clerk Cindy Kenyon presented the earnings report for her office and warrants for payment. The commission approved and accepted them all. Kenyon also informed the commission of six total open positions on various boards in the county. There are currently two open seats on the Lodging Tax Board, two open seats on the Planning Commission Board and two open seats on the Predator Board. Those looking to apply must do so before Nov. 22.

Along with the Road and Bridge Department, the Goshen County Clerk’s office and Maintenance Department both sought approvals to apply for credit cards for travel purposes.

The commission gave its approval.

Goshen County Fire Warden Bill Law presented his report to the commission and his request that the partial fire ban be lifted. The fire departments in Goshen County have brought in over $632,000 since the first fire of the year on June 9. Those funds will go towards buying new equipment for the various fire departments in Goshen County and wages for firefighters.

Law reported no firefighters have sustained serious injury or illness this year even with several units traveling to California to help fight wildfires there. The last unit from Yoder came home from California the week of Oct. 24.

With the commission’s approval, the partial fire ban on Goshen County has been lifted effective Nov. 2. The fire ban has been in place since July 5 of this year.

While the fire ban has been lifted, Law still urges caution. The danger of fire is not gone just because summer is. Conditions are still dry, and fires should be closely monitored. Drivers should avoid tall grass and weeds, as hot exhaust pipes can set fire to dry grass. Law urges those planning any burning to call the Torrington Dispatch Center at 307-532-7001 and let them know when and where the burning will be and to call again once the fire is out.

Emergency Management Coordinator Shelley Kirchhefer presented two grants which came through her office and needed the commissioners’ signatures. One grant was for $65,000 to go towards a generator for Eastern Wyoming College and the other was $20,000 for portable radios for the Goshen County Sheriff’s Office.

While Goshen County Public Health is still accepting applications for the Public Health Response Coordinator position, the commission signed a contract to fund the position. The funds for the PHRC position come from the federal government and are dispersed through the commission. The contract between the Wyoming Department of Health and Goshen County is signed every year.

The meeting adjourned at 10:13 a.m. The next commissioners meeting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Goshen County Courthouse.