By Michael Howell
The Town of Stevensville has a new police officer. Officer Craig Robertson was sworn in last Sunday. Robertson previously was employed as the county’s Adult Probation and Parole Officer. He worked for six years in the Sheriff’s Office in San Bernadino, California. He will be attending the state Police Academy starting on January 5, 2015.
Following a public hearing on Thursday, December 11, the Town Council approved on first reading an amended Development Code, but postponed the second reading until January 8, 2015. Some changes included in the code are the designation of a Historic District that includes the first four blocks of Main Street, four corresponding blocks on the west side of Church Street and four corresponding blocks on the east side of Buck Street.
The Council also adopted new flood plain regulations to come into compliance with the state’s new flood plain maps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has required all local governments to review and update their flood plain regulations by January 1 to make sure they are in compliance with the new map and in order to be sure that residents living in the flood plain qualify for flood insurance. The town itself does not own land in the flood plain but four or five residents do.
The Council approved a change order in the ongoing water project, reflecting the increased cost of $1,136.13 for the installation of variable frequency drives for the well system to resolve electrical problems at the well house. The work will be done by Pavlik Electric and brings the total cost of the entire project to $2,295,358.68.
The Council also approved a contract with Eagle Drilling to remove and reinstall a well pump on Well #2 following its failure to pump the desired amount of water due to sand infiltration. The new equipment and the cleaning procedure are estimated to cost $24,280.
A minor subdivision of the Adams Family Trust property located at 610 East Second Street was approved. The action creates a single additional lot on the property which currently has a single residence being used as a day care. The property will remain under the existing R-2 zoning.
The Council approved a letter to the legislature in support of increased funding for the Local Government Study Center located at Montana State University in Bozeman. The Center was founded in 1985 and provides technical support, training and research for local governments across the state. Funding for the center was cut in half in the last legislative session. The Council is asking the legislature to increase the funding back to previous levels.
The Council vote was split on the issue of accepting a contract with Ravalli County Recycling for placement and service of a recycling bin in the town. According to the contract, the town would put up $4,700 for the purchase of a large recycling bin that would be placed in the town. The town would then be credited at the rate of $100 per month on the service fee for 47 months. A charge for yardage picked up will still apply until after the 47 months when the fees and yardage charges may be re-negotiated.
Councilors Robin Holcomb and Jim Crews voted against the proposal. They stated that the deal was unfair to residents that don’t recycle but will now have to cover the cost for those who do.
The Town got a letter from Stevensville Hardware Store owner Phil Henderson complaining about other property owners along Main Street who do not clean the snow and ice off the sidewalks as required by town rules. He asked for better enforcement of the rules. Currently the law requires property owners to remove the snow and ice or the town will do it and charge the property owner for the work. If payment is not made a lien can be placed on the property.