Water Tank Won't Cost Taxpayers as Much as New Funding Comes In

At the September meeting of the Whitehall Town Council, held on Monday, September 16th, in the Town Hall chambers, good news was announced when Public Works Director Kory Klapan noted that the town water tank had been funded at a much higher level than originally anticipated.

At the August Town Council meeting, an increase of $7 per month on residents' water bills was expected to cover the increased cost of the tank. However, Klapan reported that after returning to the funding agencies and explaining the massive increase, the funding went from $1 million to $2 million, now covered under grants. A total of $660K is expected from the Town’s contingency to cover the remaining portion. Klapan said that this change in funding would bring the per-month increase down to $3 or $4.

Klapan reported that boring was being conducted under the railroad tracks to attach to the water treatment facility at the Rec Complex.

PLEASE NOTE: The south side of Division Street will most likely be closed either Monday or Tuesday of next week (9/23 or 9/24) for the boring of the water lines and remain closed for AT LEAST one week. Residents are asked to use alternate routes to access Kountz Road, etc.

Klapan also reported that Yellowstone Trail to the school parking lot had been repaved and that most of the town’s potholes had been filled. Helena Sand repaved the school’s lot and will quote work on First Street’s corners near the Whitehall Country Store.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• Councilwoman Linda Jung thanked Town Treasurer Kennedy Kleinsasser and Clerk Tiffany McCue for all their hard work, as it is being noticed and recognized during their maternity leaves how much they each do. Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh also thanked Jung for her hard work during the maternity leaves, covering the office and assisting where possible.

• The Town will need to mill 108.5 mills for the 2024-2025 FY budget. A Town of Whitehall budget workshop and hearing will be held at 11 AM on September 24th at the Town Hall.

• In the new fiscal year, the Planning Board will charge $500 for zoning variances requested by residents. This is to cover expenses previously paid by the Town, which should be the property owner’s responsibility, not the taxpayers'.

• Bids for the Recreation Complex will be accepted on Wednesday, September 18th, and opened on Wednesday, September 25th, at noon. Two bids will be requested: one for the perimeter and one for the perimeter and the corrals. The arena's size will remain the same.

CONSENT AGENDA

Planning Board:

• Approvals for the following: Ken Cantrell (ramp), Joel Andrews (shed), Kathy Coughlin (shed).

Business Licenses:

• Approvals for Wild Sp9irit Herbals LLC and Black Hills Trenching and Boring LLCS

Fire Department:

• Cameron Edwards approved as a volunteer

The next Whitehall Town Council meeting will be Monday, October 21, at 7 PM in the Town Hall chambers.