Ravalli County citizens got a preview last Wednesday, January 6, of the proposed Hamilton Transportation Plan being drafted by CDM, a consulting firm out of Helena. Working in conjunction with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), the City of Hamilton and Ravalli County, CDM is producing a draft transportation plan that will provide a blueprint for transportation infrastructure investments over the next decade. In addition, the availability of a local transportation plan is a requirement for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding eligibility.

By analyzing all elements of the current transportation system, including roadway and intersection operations, trucks, bicycles, pedestrian uses, public transit, and land use, CDM has determined that many traffic intersections are already suffering from capacity issues. In addition to major roadway improvement recommendations, the firm is also making recommendations to address immediate lower-scale issues such as adding left and right turn bays, implementing additional crossing times, and addressing sight-distance problems. Potential pathways for pedestrians, bicycles and other non-motorized uses were also identified.

CDM consultant Jeffrey Key, author of the plan, cautioned the audience that the plan is a broad visionary recommendation and not meant to be taken as a mandatory checklist for local implementation. He noted that implementation will depend upon funding and agreement between MDT, city and county officials. He said that the previous plan, for instance, done in 2002, identified 18 projects, only two of which were ever completed.

Key picked out five of the largest projects that he felt should be at the top of the list without prioritizing them. They include:

• A $2.7 million project to reconstruct Fairgrounds Road from Old Corvallis Road to the Eastside Highway to a “business collector” standard with curb and gutter, on-street bicycle lanes, sidewalk, and appropriate signage and pavement markings. Additional right-of-way may be needed to attain an 80-foot right-of-way width.

• A $5.8 million project to reconstruct Old Corvallis Road from Fairgrounds Road to Glaxo-Smith-Kline to a “business collector” standard. Key stated that this area has been identified by the Hamilton Growth Policy as a likely area of future development.

• A $2.64 million project to create a new East-West Corridor connecting Old Corvallis Road and the Eastside Highway up to “residential standards” to provide an alternate connecting route.

• A $130,000 project to create a comprehensive Access Management Plan for US Highway 93, beginning just south of town to the Angler’s Roost Bridge area.

• A $310,000 project to reconstruct the intersection of Fairgrounds Road and Old Corvallis Road.

Key said that the plan attempts to balance the needs for major improvement projects which could take decades to complete with minor projects that could be completed in a much shorter time and at less cost.

The plan also includes a non-motorized plan for pedestrians and bicycles that includes recommendations for bike lanes, shared-use paths, signed bike routes and wider shoulders.

Bike lanes are recommended on Fairgrounds Road, Old Corvallis Road, 4th Street, Golf Course Road, Marcus Street, Skeels Street and West Main Street. The report also recommends considering a river trail from River Park to Angler’s Roost and along the Montana Rail Link right-of-way, although Key cautioned that neither of those alternatives could be realized without the cooperation and consent of landowners and the railroad company.

Key said that he hopes to come out with a final draft for consideration by state, county and city officials by the end of January.

Copies of the draft transportation plan can be accessed on the internet at the city of Hamilton’s web site at www.cityofhamilton.net.

Economic development consultant hangs shingle in Stevi

Ron Klaphake, former Missoula resident, economic developer and entrepreneur, has returned to Montana and opened a new business in the Bitterroot Valley. Community Economic Development Services (CEDS) focuses on helping communities with infrastructure and renewable energy projects. CEDS also assists private companies and nonprofit organizations facing growth and survival issues by providing business planning and financial assistance.

Klaphake, as chief executive officer of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC) from 1986 to 2000, was one of the principals in creating the vision for MonTee (Montana Technology Enterprise Center) and organized its initial governing board. He also set up the first revolving loan funds operated by MAEDC. As one of the founding members of the Montana Economic Developers Association, Klaphake served for two years as its first president. Prior to his tenure in Missoula, he led the staff of a downtown development corporation and was a city manager in the Midwest.

Klaphake left Missoula in 2000 to direct the Greeley/Weld County Economic Development Action Partnership in Greeley, Colo. From 2005 until this past summer, he was CEO of the Arizona Broadway Theatre, a state-of-the-art, 475-seat professional dinner theatre that he and his son designed and developed in the Phoenix metro area.

Klaphake can be reached at 777-2828 or rklaphake@cedsmontana.com.

Soroptomist scholarship available

Soroptimist International of Hamilton is offering a Professional Technical Award of $750 to a female resident of Ravalli County admitted to or attending a technical or vocational program. She must have stated career goals, evidence of community service and financial need. Applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2010. To receive an application e-mail patmurphy@centric.net.

Mountain snowpack below average

Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Snow Survey officials report that statewide mountain snowpack was below average and below last year. January 1 represents about 45 percent of the expected seasonal snowfall, so more than half of the snowfall season remains. Low amounts of November and December precipitation resulted in the January 1 mountain snowpack being below average and streamflow prospects for the spring and summer being below to well below average. NRCS Water Supply Specialist Roy Kaiser advises that, “Water managers pay particular attention to their local area and plan for possible low streamflows in the event that mountain precipitation continues to be poor.”

Mountain snow water content statewide was 76 percent of average and 87 percent of last year. West of the Continental Divide mountain snow water content was 74 percent of average and 92 percent of last year. East of the Continental Divide mountain snow water content was 80 percent of average and 86 percent of last year.

Snow water content measured on January 1 in the Bitterroot River drainage was 61 percent of average and 70 percent of last year.

Commissioners’ Activity Report

Week of January 4

Monday:

-Voted 4-1 to appoint Greg Chilcott chairman of the board of county commissioners. (Voting no: Rokosch)

-Voted 5-0 to appoint Carlotta Grandstaff vice-chair of the board of county commissioners.

-Voted 5-0 to reschedule the Rivers Edge II subdivision hearing until Feb. 1 to consider new information.

-Voted 5-0 to approve Resolution #2431 requesting prosecutorial assistance.

-Voted 2-3 to award annual legal and print bid to the Ravalli Republic. Motion failed. (Voting no: Chilcott, Driscoll, Rokosch; Voting yes; Grandstaff, Iman)

-Voted 4-1 to award annual legal and print bid to the Bitterroot Star. (Voting no: Iman)

-Voted 5-0 to sign a letter of support for MR TMA.

-Voted 3-2 to grant a request from Town Pump for two approaches to access property south of Dutch Hill Road. (Voting no: Rokosch, Driscoll).

Thursday:

-Voted 5-0 to continue the Island Park subdivision hearing to Jan. 19 at 1:30 p.m.

-Voted 5-0 to execute Resolution 2432, authorizing participation in Intercap loan program, securing $165,000 in loan fund for patrol cars; and 5-0 to authorize the chairman to sign the closing documents.

-Voted 5-0 to authorize spending $100 from the commissioners’ department budget for registration fee for weed district conference in Missoula. (Sending Commissioner J.R. Iman)

Stevensville Clothes Closet Report

The Stevensville Clothes Closet is a free, non-profit store that serves the community as a recycle and distribution center. It accepts donations of clothing, household linens, and small kitchen goods. The volunteers then wash and sort them as necessary and offer them to the community free for the taking.

The Clothes Closet was started in 1993 as a VFW project. Since then it’s been through many changes, the most recent being a total reorganization in December of 2008 when the store moved to its present location. The year of 2009 was the first full year in its present form.

The numbers truly do tell the story of growing needs in the Bitterroot Valley. It came as no surprise that December was the busiest month ever on record with 1,100 shoppers and 8,264 pounds of goods given out. The fourth quarter was also the busiest yet with 2,694 shoppers, 22,516 pounds of goods given out and 1,322 volunteer hours logged. For the year of 2009, the Clothes Closet gave away a total of 65,291 pounds of goods - that’s 32 tons.

The store is changing with the increased needs. Beginning in January, they have added another day of operation are now open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1-4.

At this time they are especially in need of children’s clothing and shoes as these items are usually the first to go out the door. They’re also low on bath linens and kitchen items.

The Board of Directors and volunteers would like to thank all those who have given so generously to the Clothes Closet, most from their overflow, some from a place of need and all from their hearts. They are continually amazed and privileged to see firsthand how the offering of one person meets a specific need of another in the spirit of loving their neighbors as themselves.

The Stevensville Clothes Closet is located at 3862 ALC Way off of Middle Burnt Fork Road in Stevensville. The website address is HYPERLINK "http://www.stevensvilleclothescloset.org" www.stevensvilleclothescloset.org. Tax-deductible contributions are always welcome and can be sent to 1384 Meridian Road, Victor MT 59875. For more information call Gail at 777-5694 or Molly at 961-4614.

Victor garden plots possible

Do you need a garden plot in Victor? The school owns four acres on 5th Street, and the school board is considering a development plan for this land. Part of the field could be used for gardens for the community and school if there is enough interest. If you or someone you know would like to have a low-cost garden plot in Victor in spring, or would like to volunteer for school or community gardens, call Luci Brieger at 642-3943. The board needs to hear from you by March. Spread the word!

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