LAGRANGE – The town of LaGrange announced it is reviewing and updating its town codes section by section each town council meeting as an effort to consolidate, revise, expand upon and update existing codes for the town’s current needs and desires.

Earlier this month, LaGrange Town Clerk Cathy Stoddard announced the council would be going code by code, section by section of its town codes to update any outdated, duplicated or unneeded codes so the town could craft codes more suited for its current needs.

“Please watch for any changes in the upcoming newsletters as well as postings at town hall, LHS (LaGrange Heritage Square) and post office,” Stoddard stated. “Thank you to all who have had time to attend the town council meetings. We appreciate your interest in the town operations.”

At its regularly scheduled town council meeting in December, Stoddard suggested reading through the first section of the LaGrange Town Code Book beginning at its January town council meeting; she also suggested council review both sections one and two to begin with.

In January, at the town council meeting, members read through its first two sections of code and had a brief discussion; no changes were made at this time.

LaGrange Town Mayor Mark Marshall, Councilmembers Mike Huseby, Mike Meysenburg, Diane Humphrey, Kirk Haas, Clerk Stoddard and LaGrange Attorney Lena Moeller were present at the meeting earlier this month. LaGrange Public Works Director and LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tracy Pragnell was absent at the meeting due to being exposed to COVID-19.

New town lawyer Moeller, who took over after now-former lawyer and District Judge Ed Buchanan took the bench at the Eighth Judicial District Court in Torrington, told council members she, Pragnell and resident Scott Yetter met at the site of questioning from a previous council matter regarding the Yetter boundary permit.

Moeller recommended to council members to approve small adjustments in reference to the Yetter Boundary permit and after some discussion, the town council agreed.

Ultimately, Yetter will move the existing snow fence on the west side of his property to comply with the property line and LaGrange will move the fence on the east side running along the street to comply with the property line. The town is also requiring the Yetter’s to install two ten foot gates on the south side of the property, where there is an alley, to allow access through the alley.

LaGrange Councilmember Mike Huseby motioned to sign the boundary permit proposed from Yetter as he was in agreement with Yetter’s proposal. After some discussion, LaGrange Councilmember Mike Meysenburg agreed and seconded the motion.

At its regularly scheduled meeting in February, LaGrange council members will read and discuss the next section of code.

Additionally, in other LaGrange news, the LaGrange Heritage Square Computer Lab is offering a punch card special for $30, good for 30 visits and can be used within a year of purchase.

The computer lab is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and uses “up-to-date technology and software.” Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The LaGrange Fire Department offered their thanks to the community for making a recent event successful.

“LaGrange Fire Department would like to thank the community for coming to Town Hall on December 15 to share in the fun!” Pragnell wrote. “Santa really appreciated seeing and visiting with everyone!”

Adding, “Also, thank you to all of you that turned on your Christmas lights. All ages really enjoyed driving around the town in the firetrucks to see all of the beautiful lights and displays. It was a great evening for all.”

Upcoming events in LaGrange for February include:

Poppy Posters Contest: this event is for students in first through twelfth grades. LaGrange will offer poster classes after school on Fridays on February 3, 10, 16 and 24 in preparation for the contest.

LaGrange is also beginning its search for its Laycock-Gregory-Stark Scholarship to be awarded to a 2023 graduating senior who has ties to the LaGrange community. “The application involves interviewing a veteran and preserving his or her story,” Stoddard wrote. “Winner earns a college-trade school scholarship of $250.”

Interested high school seniors are encouraged to pick up a rules packet from Unity Library, the LaGrange Town Hall or from the school counselor; applications are due by Feb. 24, 2023.

LaGrange is also accepting entries for its Americanism Essay contest. The contest is conducted annual by elementary school teachers, usually in March.

Lastly, LaGrange is gearing up to select its Girls State and Boys State selections to send students to the leadership program over the summer in June. “Delegates attend one week of leadership opportunities and mock government experiences. Girls State is at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) in Cheyenne and Boys State is in Laramie. Interested juniors are asked to contact Stoddard at Town Hall for more information.

The Town of LaGrange wanted to remind residents to not overfill or put ash in the dumpsters. “There is an additional charge if the lid will not close,” Stoddard wrote. “Items next to the dumpster will not be picked up. Ash may cause fires in the dumpster or the truck.”

Council will discuss more codes at its next meeting in February and determine if any need to be revised.