Quiet Town Council Meeting as Snow Sets In

The falling snow was the biggest news of the evening at the February Town Council meeting, held Monday, February 13 in the Whitehall Town Hall.

Before the monthly meeting, the town held a public hearing on the town’s chicken ordinance. The Council suggested that a max of six poultry (no roosters allowed) would be allowed, with a required five square feet available per animal. The coops are also required to be covered from predators in the evenings and owners must clean up after their animals. Comments and further questions may be addressed to the Town Hall. Another public hearing will be held in March.

Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh announced that the Town Hall will be closed to the public on Fridays, but employees will still be working. The public may contact the office at 406-287-3972, email, or drop off payments into the outdoor box on Fridays.

Newly elected Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Grimsrud introduced himself to the Council and said he needs to know the needs of the community in order to do his best possible job. He added that four deputy positions are currently open and one of those positions will be dedicated to the Whitehall area.

Jefferson County Commissioner Dan Hagerty reported that Boulder resident Jim Murphy had been hired as the new JeffCo Health Director.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• Business licenses were approved for K&K Roofing, Merit Mechanical, Precision Cleaning Services, The Healing Spot, CAT Graphics Inc., Precision Masonry Construction LLC, and Red Dog Painting.

• The following individuals were added to the existing members of the Recreation Complex Board, bringing the total on the Board to ten members: Bridget Morse (Saddle Club Rep), Kelley Seccomb (Pool Rep), Gina Ossello (In-Town Rep), Tim O-Donnell (Rodeo Rep), Curtiss LaFountaine (Out-of-Town Rep), and Hannah Nieskens (School Rep).

• William Pierce was approved as a new volunteer to the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department.

• Scott Pettersen was hired as a full-time Public Works Laborer.

• The Council voted to purchase a hydro-vac for Public Works using excess sewer cash reserves. Public Works Director Kory Klapan said that the equipment was ideal and will be put to good use.

The meeting closed with an Executive session regarding the Deputy Clerk’s promotion and the litigation strategy in the lawsuit of Janik v Town of Whitehall.

The next Town Council meeting will be held Monday, March 13 at 7 PM at the Town Hall.