Police warn of rising traffic calls; council discusses parade routing, equipment and a downtown demolition bid

Police Chief Jason Romberg told the Afton Town Council on Feb. 11 that the department received 954 additional calls for service from 2023 to 2024, most related to traffic, and that all felony and misdemeanor cases have been adjudicated.

Romberg recommended adding more hands-free traffic signs in the downtown area to promote safer driving and reduce officer workload. He also proposed rerouting future parades to begin at Lincoln so spectators could use fairground parking, implementing participant registration with agreed rules, and creating a standardized kit (barricades and signage) to ensure consistent event setup and reduce staffing burdens.

Separately, Mayor Jeff Jensen raised the deteriorated condition of the building at 453 Washington and the council agreed demolition and conversion to an open plaza would better connect East Alley public parking to Main Street. Council Member Will Wilkes moved to authorize the Town Administrator to solicit demolition bids that include options for reclaiming materials and non-reclaim alternatives; Council Member Dirk Hillyard seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Council also discussed seeking an additional Forest Service special use permit to allow winter plowing of Swift Creek Road; members expressed concern that such a permit might carry maintenance responsibilities the town would be expected to accept and requested staff to clarify implications before pursuing the permit.

No immediate changes to parade permits or road-plowing were adopted at the Feb. 11 meeting; staff and the police department were directed to return with implementation details and costs.