Council sets meeting to discuss crime

With criminal activity on the rise, local residents voiced concerns at the Whitehall Town Council meeting on Monday night.

Town Attorney Ed Guza said he would like to set up a meeting with Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle to update the current contract and to hammer out issues with the increase in crime around town.

One resident that attended the meeting said, “Our little town isn’t our little town anymore, they (criminals) are breaking into homes during the day. It isn’t just at night anymore.”

Jefferson County Commissioner Leonard Wortman said it isn’t just Whitehall, there has been an increase in crime in general. Mayor Dale Davis suggested contacting Doolittle to answer questions the public has for him a week from Wednesday. Whitehall Town Council members acquiesced and the meeting was set for August 23 at 7 p.m.

Alderman Gary Housman spoke on behalf of the Planning Board about issues that have arisen at the Mountain Horizons Subdivision that was recently annexed about a month ago. Council members agreed with the board’s recommendation not to allow anymore building permits until the division is in compliance with the town ordinances. The violations include things such as trash blowing around, junk vehicles (vehicles on blocks), and large weeds. The Town Attorney’s office will be sending a letter to the subdivision on the infractions.

Public Works Director Kory Klapan reported the office has been taking water samples as far as seven miles from the town of Whitehall. There are currently 33 samples being done. Council plans on having a meeting when the samples all come back.

Klapan also reported around 430 water meters have been installed. Klapan hopes to have all of the meters installed by the end of the month. Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows said all of the kinks of installing the new meters should be smoothed out after next month.

Gerry Keogh reported for the Park Trees and Cemetery Committee (PTC). Keogh said there have been issues with people not taking the ground decorations in the cemetery down in a timely manner. Klapan suggested as part of the PTC board, to have a public notice published to give a date on which decorations need to be taken down or the town would take them down.

Mayor Dale Davis said, “In the past the city has removed them. The rules on how long people can keep them are posted as you enter the cemetery”.

In her report, Town Clerk/Treasurer Summer Fellows said her office is wrapping up with the auditors, the annual financial report has been completed, and there is more work to be done on the budget. Council members approved to have a budget meeting on August 28. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Councilman Tom Jenkin said in his report for the Recreation Complex Board he was contacted about reserving the rec complex for Montana Mule Days & Mule Clinics for 2018 through 2020, and also a softball tournament. Council approved the reservations provided all fees are paid and applications are completed.