Monahan spearheads recycling at schools
By Adam Jerome, I-O Reporter
Ever since she retired from teaching, Carey Monahan has wanted to bring recycling to the Conrad area. After sitting in on a recycling roundtable sponsored by the Pondera County Recycling Coalition in late August, Monahan decided that it was time.
After learning that 33 percent of all waste in the landfills nationwide is made up of paper products and noticing the recycling efforts at UMS she decided that she would like to bring paper recycling to all the schools in Conrad.
Monahan explained her decision, “After I found out that our landfill is sending 200 tons of waste a year over what the city is being assessed I realized what an important part the school system could play in reducing that amount.”
After receiving generous donations from Kenny and Jackie Wheeler of Frontline Ag and Mayor John Shevlin, she was able to purchase receptacles for every classroom in the elementary schools and the high school.
Monahan explains her effort in the schools, “I believe if we can instill recycling values in our kids at an early age they will be lifelong recyclers.”
Every week there will be a pick-up at the Meadowlark School. Ron and Juanita Prewett have donated their time to transport the paper to Front Line Ag where it will be picked up by Pacific Steel and Recycling and taken to Great Falls.
In another development, the community will be allowed to bring their old newspapers to recycle at Meadowlark on the first Friday of every month. Watch the I-O for more details on the newspaper recycling.
Monahan also wants to point out that there are other recycling efforts in dire need of volunteers, including for yard waste pick-up. If anyone is willing to help, contact Adam Jerome at The Independent-Observer.
LITTLE RECYCLERS Last Friday was the first pickup day of paper recycling at the Meadowlark School. A student from each class was chosen to dump their first weeks paper collections. From the left in front are Caitline Bonser, Audrey Taylor, Braden VandenBos and Tatyana Rohrer. In the second are Jonna Myre, Shaylar MacGillivray and Natalie Broesder. Third Row- Aaron Kleinsasser, Max Richey and Tristin VandenBos. In the back are Jayleen Harris, Brandon Philipps, Bethany Grubb, Front Line Representative Joe Flesch and of Prewett Excavating and Construction, Juanita and Ron Prewett. I-O Photo by Adam Jerome
After learning that 33 percent of all waste in the landfills nationwide is made up of paper products and noticing the recycling efforts at UMS she decided that she would like to bring paper recycling to all the schools in Conrad.
Monahan explained her decision, “After I found out that our landfill is sending 200 tons of waste a year over what the city is being assessed I realized what an important part the school system could play in reducing that amount.”
After receiving generous donations from Kenny and Jackie Wheeler of Frontline Ag and Mayor John Shevlin, she was able to purchase receptacles for every classroom in the elementary schools and the high school.
Monahan explains her effort in the schools, “I believe if we can instill recycling values in our kids at an early age they will be lifelong recyclers.”
Every week there will be a pick-up at the Meadowlark School. Ron and Juanita Prewett have donated their time to transport the paper to Front Line Ag where it will be picked up by Pacific Steel and Recycling and taken to Great Falls.
In another development, the community will be allowed to bring their old newspapers to recycle at Meadowlark on the first Friday of every month. Watch the I-O for more details on the newspaper recycling.
Monahan also wants to point out that there are other recycling efforts in dire need of volunteers, including for yard waste pick-up. If anyone is willing to help, contact Adam Jerome at The Independent-Observer.
Taxpayers get a break; preliminary budget passed
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
In a move rarely seen, taxpayers got a break from local government on Monday.
On a recommendation from Mayor John Shevlin the council, on a 4-0 vote, moved to reduce by 10 percent the street light assessment.
Each year NorthWestern Energy informs the city what they are going to charge for electricity for street lights. This year NWE has recommended a 10 percent reduction in what they will charge the city and the council passed that along to the taxpayers.
On an 8,050 foot lot, the street light tax is approximately $61. The street light assessment is on your property tax statement and is paid on the first half installment.
City aldermen, also on a 4-0 vote, moved to accept a preliminary budget. Not set in stone by any means, Finance Office Agnes Fowler indicated, “this is still a work in progress until passed at a public hearing.”
Right now the bottom line for expenditures is $9,182,274 for FY2009-10. Keep in mind, this is only a preliminary budget subject to up or down changes.
The budget is open for review and public inspection at the front desk in city hall during normal business hours.
In other action, the council approved building permits for a variety of projects at 415 S. Main, 215 S. Maryland, 110 S. Delaware, 805 Mountain View, and 604 S. Delaware.
Amy Salois was on hand for the Sandrockets 4-H Club. For a community service project the club would like to construct a sign for Keil Park. Council members approved the clubs’ request.
Council members had a brief discussion on building permits.
There have been two recent incidents of work completed on projects before the permit had been approved by city council members.
It was decided that the council will take a diplomatic approach and write letters to contractors reminding them that all building permits need to be approved and passed by the council before any work can be started or done.
The aldermen received a letter from the Port Authority requesting $6,000, as they have in the past, for a revolving loan fund,. The PA has loaned out a little more than $110,000 for entities that have added six new jobs and six part-time jobs. Two loans are presently being paid on. The council moved on a 4-0 vote to approve the $6,000 request.
It was reported that interviews will begin shortly for a new water/wastewater operator. There were 15 applications received for the position, “but no one who is qualified,” said Public Works Director Richard Anderson.
On a related matter of employment, Chief Gary Dent reported that an officer who has been deployed overseas is not coming back.
His position was being held open for him, however, in light of the fact he is not returning, Dent was given permission to look for a replacement. He indicated he had received two good looking applications.
There was a quick report from Councilwoman Wendy Judisch on a meeting with the Conrad and Valier library boards over funding. To the surprise of no one, they could not come up with resolution to the funding split that exists between the two libraries.
They did agree to meet again at a future date. The funding issue will be decided by the county commissioners after the county budget is set.
No action was taken, however there was a short discussion on people being allowed to raise chickens in their backyards. It would be hens only, no roosters.
Councilwoman Judisch commented, “I kind of like the idea.” More information is being gathered before the council takes any action.
The next regular meeting of the council will take place on Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. in city hall, 411-1/2 S. Main Street.
In a move rarely seen, taxpayers got a break from local government on Monday.
On a recommendation from Mayor John Shevlin the council, on a 4-0 vote, moved to reduce by 10 percent the street light assessment.
Each year NorthWestern Energy informs the city what they are going to charge for electricity for street lights. This year NWE has recommended a 10 percent reduction in what they will charge the city and the council passed that along to the taxpayers.
On an 8,050 foot lot, the street light tax is approximately $61. The street light assessment is on your property tax statement and is paid on the first half installment.
City aldermen, also on a 4-0 vote, moved to accept a preliminary budget. Not set in stone by any means, Finance Office Agnes Fowler indicated, “this is still a work in progress until passed at a public hearing.”
Right now the bottom line for expenditures is $9,182,274 for FY2009-10. Keep in mind, this is only a preliminary budget subject to up or down changes.
The budget is open for review and public inspection at the front desk in city hall during normal business hours.
In other action, the council approved building permits for a variety of projects at 415 S. Main, 215 S. Maryland, 110 S. Delaware, 805 Mountain View, and 604 S. Delaware.
Amy Salois was on hand for the Sandrockets 4-H Club. For a community service project the club would like to construct a sign for Keil Park. Council members approved the clubs’ request.
Council members had a brief discussion on building permits.
There have been two recent incidents of work completed on projects before the permit had been approved by city council members.
It was decided that the council will take a diplomatic approach and write letters to contractors reminding them that all building permits need to be approved and passed by the council before any work can be started or done.
The aldermen received a letter from the Port Authority requesting $6,000, as they have in the past, for a revolving loan fund,. The PA has loaned out a little more than $110,000 for entities that have added six new jobs and six part-time jobs. Two loans are presently being paid on. The council moved on a 4-0 vote to approve the $6,000 request.
It was reported that interviews will begin shortly for a new water/wastewater operator. There were 15 applications received for the position, “but no one who is qualified,” said Public Works Director Richard Anderson.
On a related matter of employment, Chief Gary Dent reported that an officer who has been deployed overseas is not coming back.
His position was being held open for him, however, in light of the fact he is not returning, Dent was given permission to look for a replacement. He indicated he had received two good looking applications.
There was a quick report from Councilwoman Wendy Judisch on a meeting with the Conrad and Valier library boards over funding. To the surprise of no one, they could not come up with resolution to the funding split that exists between the two libraries.
They did agree to meet again at a future date. The funding issue will be decided by the county commissioners after the county budget is set.
No action was taken, however there was a short discussion on people being allowed to raise chickens in their backyards. It would be hens only, no roosters.
Councilwoman Judisch commented, “I kind of like the idea.” More information is being gathered before the council takes any action.
The next regular meeting of the council will take place on Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. in city hall, 411-1/2 S. Main Street.
County and FWS agreement approved
Commissioners approved on Thursday, a wildlife extension agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The county and FWS will each participate in conducting restoration work over approximately a 400-feet length of stream with a focus on improving the eroding bank on the Jones Memorial Park (lands) in Dupuyer which is owned by the county.
The term of the agreement is for 10 years and the FWS is granted the authority to complete a wildlife habitat development in the Park with restoration work over about a 400-foot length of Dupuyer Creek.
Funding for the project will be $3,000 in FWS funding and the county will provide in-kind contributions of material and equipment.
Commissioner Cynthia Johnson made the motion, seconded by Joe Christiaens. With Sandy Broesder voting in favor, the motion passed on a unanimous vote, 3-0.
Another agreement was approved, this one with Teton County for the administration of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Grant. Underprivileged women may receive up to $100 to get help for the screening.
On Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. or immediately following the hearing on the proposed budget in the commissioner’s office, there will be a public hearing on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
A contract with the Port Authority on the NSP, running through 2013, was approved which will enable the county, through the Pondera Regional Port Authority to purchase and fix up foreclosed single family homes..
In addition an Interlocal agreement was OK’ed to approve the NSP Sub Recipient Interlocal Agreement with the Port Authority.
This agreement will have the P.A. operate, manage and maintain the NSP program for the county.
On a related matter, there will also be a public hearing in the commissioner’s office on Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. concerning a proposal to close county offices on Nov. 27 – the day after Thanksgiving and for a half-day on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve).
A memorandum of understanding with the Montana Wool Growers Association was approved as well concerning predator animal control. The funding for the program is from an assessment of 60-cents per head on the sheep and stock cattle in the county.
The commissioners moved and approved to enter into an agreement between the county and Nelson Architects, LLC for services and subcontractor negotiations for the remodeling of the Conrad Community Center.
Pending the planning board’s recommendation, a Denney and Hastings minor subdivision were approved.
There was on abatement of $18.53 on the VandenBos property. The Department of Revenue reappraised the property resulting in a decrease in taxable value.
The county and FWS will each participate in conducting restoration work over approximately a 400-feet length of stream with a focus on improving the eroding bank on the Jones Memorial Park (lands) in Dupuyer which is owned by the county.
The term of the agreement is for 10 years and the FWS is granted the authority to complete a wildlife habitat development in the Park with restoration work over about a 400-foot length of Dupuyer Creek.
Funding for the project will be $3,000 in FWS funding and the county will provide in-kind contributions of material and equipment.
Commissioner Cynthia Johnson made the motion, seconded by Joe Christiaens. With Sandy Broesder voting in favor, the motion passed on a unanimous vote, 3-0.
Another agreement was approved, this one with Teton County for the administration of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Grant. Underprivileged women may receive up to $100 to get help for the screening.
On Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. or immediately following the hearing on the proposed budget in the commissioner’s office, there will be a public hearing on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
A contract with the Port Authority on the NSP, running through 2013, was approved which will enable the county, through the Pondera Regional Port Authority to purchase and fix up foreclosed single family homes..
In addition an Interlocal agreement was OK’ed to approve the NSP Sub Recipient Interlocal Agreement with the Port Authority.
This agreement will have the P.A. operate, manage and maintain the NSP program for the county.
On a related matter, there will also be a public hearing in the commissioner’s office on Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. concerning a proposal to close county offices on Nov. 27 – the day after Thanksgiving and for a half-day on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve).
A memorandum of understanding with the Montana Wool Growers Association was approved as well concerning predator animal control. The funding for the program is from an assessment of 60-cents per head on the sheep and stock cattle in the county.
The commissioners moved and approved to enter into an agreement between the county and Nelson Architects, LLC for services and subcontractor negotiations for the remodeling of the Conrad Community Center.
Pending the planning board’s recommendation, a Denney and Hastings minor subdivision were approved.
There was on abatement of $18.53 on the VandenBos property. The Department of Revenue reappraised the property resulting in a decrease in taxable value.