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Laurel residents press council over stateforensic facility; staff communications and annexation plans draw scrutiny
Summary
Residents, school leaders and a county commissioner pressed the City of Laurel on Jan. 27 over a newly public plan for a State of Montana forensic psychiatric facility near homes and Laurel Elementary, demanding studies and answers about staff contacts with the state before any annexation.
Mayor Dave Waggoner presided over a nearly two-hour Jan. 27 City Council meeting in Laurel, where public comment was dominated by opposition to a recently announced State of Montana plan to locate a 32-bed forensic psychiatric facility on a 114-acre parcel west of the city.
Chief Administrative Officer Kurt Markegard told residents he would remain after the meeting to review his emails and walk the public through zoning and annexation law, saying, "I will sit here, and I will discuss it," and offering additional meeting times later in the week. Markegard also acknowledged staff communications with state officials dating back months and provided a copy of a Nov. 17 letter he sent to the state's Board of Investments identifying a potential site near Laurel and the water/sewer work already planned for the area.
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