Medora debates sidewalk upkeep, tables TNR funding request and launches town website

Medora’s council spent part of its meeting discussing sidewalk maintenance responsibilities, a request for modest funding to support a local trap-neuter-return (TNR) effort and new digital access for residents.

Participants debated whether property owners or the town are responsible for sidewalk upkeep; several speakers raised safety and accessibility concerns, including blocked sidewalks that force pedestrians — and wheelchair users — into the roadway. The council agreed to start clearing some problematic walkways and to follow up on options for repairs.

A volunteer for a local TNR effort (S2) asked the council for help covering spay/neuter and vaccination costs for roughly 10 community cats, stating a per-animal cost of $60 for spay/neuter, rabies vaccination and basic testing. “It costs us $60 per cat for tracking and return. That includes spay, neuter. It includes a rabies vaccine,” the volunteer said. Councilors said they would seek guidance from the state council and tabled the funding request for discussion in September.

Separately, S2 announced the town website, townofmedora.com, is live and that the town launched a Medora YouTube channel to livestream meetings; recordings will remain available for at least 90 days. The presenter invited public feedback and suggested adding historical photos and community stories to the site.

Councilors also touched on camper and RV enforcement inside town limits, noting a few properties with extended periods to come into compliance and the town’s interest in aligning rules with neighboring communities to prevent long-term, semi-permanent camping.