Town Working on Annual Budgets, Preparing for Upcoming Events

At the July monthly meeting of the Whitehall Town Council, held Monday, July 11, budgets were the item on everyone’s mind. From the town clerk to the county commission, as well as all the committees, budgets were being finalized, discussed, and amended as July marks the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Besides budgets, upcoming events such as the Copper K Fiber Festival this weekend at the Copper K Barn as well as Shakespeare in the Park at the Main Street Green on July 18 and Whitehall’s annual Frontier Days events were discussed.

Mayor Mary Hensleigh noted that discussions with the Montana Department of Transportation had yielded an agreement that the road work on Legion Avenue would begin on July 18 but that crews would have the roads and detours cleared in time for the beginning of Frontier Days on Friday, July 22. The road will be in the process of being graded and milled, so both the Town and the Whitehall Chamber urge Frontier Days attendees to be mindful of their footing while enjoying the festivities next weekend.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• The Town Council voted to approve a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Town employees of 8.6%.

• The Town Council voted to join the Montana Rail Authority as a town entity for $250 for the next two years. Hensleigh mentioned that the possibility of bringing passenger rail transportation to Southwest Montana is very good utilizing already established railways and that the Authority is also looking into reestablishing the railways from Whitehall to Butte.

• Hourly wages for pool staff were voted on and approved.

• The Council voted to vacate the alley between the Star Theatre and KBar.

• Street closure from the Main Street alley to Legion Avenue was approved for the evening of July 18 for Shakespeare in the Park.

CONSENT AGENDA:

• M&M Vintage & Antiques business license approved.

• Tay’s Pizzeria (formerly Stageline) business license approved.

• Rathe - variance request, approved.

• Irving - development permit, approved.

• Lyons, development permit, approved.

HIRES:

Public works seasonal hire: Karson McMillan.

Lifeguards: Hope Shockley, Lily Shockley, Maddox Kidwell, Cody Fuller, Payton DuBois, Maddy Seccomb, Zach Christensen.

The next Town Council meeting is slated for August 8 at 7 PM.