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Public commenters press county to act after cemetery gopher-control dispute and Memorial Day shooting incident
Summary
A speaker representing the Cemetery Board told commissioners about an extreme gopher infestation and a separate Memorial Day shooting incident at the public cemetery; efforts by the cemetery board to post a 'no discharge of weapons' notice failed at the board level, and the commenter urged county attention and legal clarity.
During the public-comment period John Lybrand presented a detailed summary of Cemetery Board minutes and expressed concern about an "extreme overpopulation" of gophers damaging gravesites and a Memorial Day shooting incident that prompted police response. Lybrand summarized board actions: a motion to post a public notice asking residents to coordinate pest control failed; a motion to require a no-discharge rule failed by vote; board members and deputies discussed whether Montana Code 45-8-111 (public nuisance) could apply in some circumstances.
Lybrand said cemetery workers are testing a gas-exhaust approach (a modified Honda engine) to treat gopher holes and encouraged the board and commissioners to coordinate with law enforcement to prevent unsafe behavior. "I think we all appreciated Mr. Lund coming to the meeting to hear what's going on there," Lybrand said, and he urged the commissioners to consider options that avoid escalation and protect public safety.
