Froid council approves garage permit, pays October claims; public works reports water sampling and park gazebo progress

The Town of Froid council met Oct. 14, 2024, at the Froid Community Center and approved the minutes from the Sept. 9 meeting, a building permit for a garage addition and payment of October claims.

Council Member Gale Strandlund called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In the absence of Mayor Sheri Crain, Strandlund presided while Clerk LeAnn Johnson remained listed in the meeting roster. Council Members Laurie Young and Tyler Harris participated in motions and seconds during the meeting.

Public comment began with a guest raising concerns about juveniles "tearing around town." Council members advised that residents should contact the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Department to report concerning activity. A resident also asked that a faded 15 mph sign near the school be replaced; the council agreed the sign should be updated.

Public Works Director Alan Engelke reported routine maintenance and compliance work. Engelke said the town had collected and submitted required lead-and-copper samples and noted the town must take five such samples every three years. He reported blading streets, cleaning wood chips blown from the Northern Lights Playground after a recent wind event, and that fire extinguishers at the community center, fire hall and town office were inspected by Red Hot Fire Extinguishers. Engelke added that he is draining and winterizing the water depot and that the town did not purchase any water in the past year. He also said the forms have been laid for a gazebo slab at the Town Park, a project the Northern Lights Park Committee has partly funded with grant money.

The council reviewed the sheriff’s weekly call report; no representative from the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Department attended the meeting. A resident said a rental property had been broken into but that she had not reported the incident to law enforcement.

Under unfinished business, councilors reviewed delinquent water, sewer and garbage accounts and agreed to distribute door hangers and mail letters to those on the delinquent list as a next step toward collection.

On new business the council considered a building permit for a garage addition that the applicant said would meet required setbacks. Council Member Tyler Harris moved to approve the permit; Laurie Young seconded and the motion carried.

Councilors then examined claims for October 2024. Laurie Young moved to pay the claims; Tyler Harris seconded and the motion carried.

In other business Engelke reported that oil activity north of Bainville is picking up and said the town could see an influx of people seeking housing. Council members discussed empty houses and lots around town in that context.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned. The council scheduled its next regular meeting for Nov. 11, 2024.