Thayne council approves water‑meter placement for developer, schedules staff training and upgrades community center tech

The Thayne Town Council on Aug. 16 approved several utility and operations items, including placement of a water meter for a private property, technology upgrades for the community center and staff training for water operations.

Developer request and meter placement: Mike Collings of CNB Enterprises told the council his previously proposed White Barn Second Addition subdivision would not proceed and instead sought to place a 1" meter pit on Town property next to the East Booster pump and run a 1½" service line to a single residence, noting the change from a subdivision main to a single‑service line and the need for an easement from a private landowner. The council approved a motion to allow Collings to place the meter to coincide with permit 2022‑05007; the motion was moved by Councilmember Passey, seconded by Councilmember Heward and carried.

Delinquent account enforcement: Resident Rick Tharp requested more time to pay delinquent water charges. Mayor Simpson said the council had worked with the account for months but reiterated that the prior agreement called for service to be shut off if the account was not paid in full; the mayor recommended shutting off water on Aug. 17, 2023 until delinquent charges are paid and said a notice would be posted at the residence. The transcript records the mayor’s recommendation but does not show a separate recorded motion by the council to enact the shutoff.

Infrastructure and operations updates: Robert Hood of Sunrise Engineering reported progress at the East Booster Pump (fence posts installed and the overhead door work under way) and said pumps are out until Aug. 31. Hood noted outstanding punch‑list items for Wright Street sewer repairs and the need to clean up dirt and gravel from the prior sewer repair. The mayor asked whether available irrigation‑grant funds could be used to purchase parts now for a spring irrigation project; Hood said he would check with the grant agency.

Community center and equipment approvals: The council approved a $1,800 Wi‑Fi upgrade (router, cabinet and antenna) for the community center and voted to replace existing cabling and install a new camera system for $20,541.53 through EZ Access LLC. Councilmember Pelletier presented two estimates — $15,319.87 to reuse existing wiring and $20,541.00 to replace cameras and upgrade Cat‑5 — and the council favored the full upgrade. The council also discussed purchasing a man basket for the backhoe (basket $2,800; quick attachment $5,500) and asked staff to investigate alternatives such as a forklift safety cage; no purchase motion for the basket appears in the transcript.

Staff training and maintenance planning: The council approved sending Cliff Eggleston to fall Water and Wastewater training in Glenrock Sept. 5–7. Councilmember Woolley said the backhoe is in Idaho Falls for repairs and recommended compiling chip‑and‑seal bids for next year’s budget, mentioning Dana Street as a candidate.

Why it matters: These actions affect town infrastructure capacity, service reliability and public safety (meter placement, pump repairs, delinquent account enforcement), and commit modest capital for technology and staff development.

What’s next: Staff will file the meter permit work to coincide with permit 2022‑05007, post a shutoff notice for the delinquent account as described by the mayor, report back on irrigation‑grant allowances and proceed with Wi‑Fi and camera upgrades after procurement.