Thayne grants temporary fireworks-sales variance, sets business-park price and plans to advertise police vacancy

Mayor Devin Simpson told the council that Valley Market asked whether cashiers under 19 could sell fireworks if supervised by an adult. The town’s ordinance currently bars anyone under 19 from selling fireworks; the council agreed the ordinance must be rewritten and granted a temporary variance allowing supervised sales by under-19 cashiers until the ordinance completes three readings. The variance motion was moved by Councilman Woolley, seconded by Councilwoman Passey, and carried.

Simpson said two parties have shown interest in the last vacant .81-acre lot in the Thayne Business Park and he set an asking price of $250,000. The council did not take a binding sale action; a formal offer is expected within a couple of weeks according to the minutes.

On community programming, the Community Center interior painting is complete and the Community Clean Up Day drew roughly 60–70 participants. July 4 activities are scheduled for Saturday, July 3, including a 5K/10K race at 6 a.m., a firemen’s breakfast at 7 a.m., a parade at 10 a.m. with Carly Jensen as grand marshal, a rubber-duck race and a Firemen’s carnival, with fireworks to begin at 10 p.m.

Mayor Simpson also reported that Officer Putnam resigned; council discussed options for law-enforcement coverage including contracting with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, hiring off-duty officers for shifts, or hiring a new 30-hour-per-week officer. The council decided to advertise the vacancy publicly.

The council approved routine checks and bills and adjourned at 7:19 p.m.