Town Pushed to Move Forward by Ambulance District After Mistaken Case of Responsibility

At the October 11 meeting of the Whitehall Town Council, councilwoman Katy James put on a different hat and approached the Council as a member of the Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District (JVRAD) during public comment. James read a letter, which follows, in hopes that the Council would move forward with joining the District.

“Mayor and Council Members: On the November 2, 2021 Election ballot we (Whitehall Town Council) put on the ballot for the voters/residents of the Town of Whitehall, asking for their input as to whether or not they were for or against becoming a part of the Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District (JVRAD). Results of the election were 181 FOR and 62 AGAINST, and at the next Whitehall Council meeting it was announced and per the recommendation of the Whitehall Town Attorney, it was decided that it was now in the Jefferson County Commissioner’s hands.

Since then no action has been taken by the Commissioners or the Jefferson County Attorney. It has finally come to light that it is NOT the responsibility of the Commissioner’s or the County Attorney, BUT the responsibility of the Whitehall Town Council.

What I would like to propose is that we get it on the next (November, 2022) Council meeting, for discussion. Also, we create a Resolution, just as the Madison County Board of Commissioners did September 21, 2021, and present it to the Commissioners. Please note this is a Town issue not a County issue. Resolving this issue once and for all. Copy of the Madison County Resolution is provided with this letter to the Mayor and Council members this date, Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

Katy James; Resident, Ward 2 Council Member”

As the letter was read during public comment, the Council and Clerk could only listen to the appeal, though after the meeting Town Clerk Allissa Christensen and several other council members questioned why they did not know this sooner and where the ball had been dropped in proceeding forward.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• Kevin Brunet made a public comment about the oil tracking onto the street and other “mess” by Treasure State Solutions (21 E Legion) and asked why it is being allowed.

• Dana Brunet, owner of Peppertree Deli, commented that several RVs have overstayed the town’s limits on parking. She mentioned the longest-staying RV campers were rude to the Christian Bike Association that traveled through town, which probably cost businesses revenue.

• LBS Construction, LLC’s business license for construction was approved.

• Kent and Laurie Rathe’s request for a development permit for a new structure at 311 W Second was approved.

• Scott Pettersen was approved as a temporary new hire in Public Works.

• The Council voted to approve an updated business license approval process which will bypass the Planning Board and go straitgh to the Council for approval.

The next Town Council meeting is slated for Monday, November 14, 2022.