Town outlines water-system work; residents press for hydrant access near subdivision

Town administrator Trevor updated the council on several water-system projects, and residents pressed for clearer hydrant access after a recent neighborhood fire.

Trevor said crews are removing a pit and bringing in road base on White Pine to pack around a pipeline; he told the council the current phase should be completed within a day and that the week's major cost (equipment rental) will be just under $25,000. He also advised pausing purchase of cellular-enabled water meters because carriers are combining services later this year, which could otherwise lock the town to a single provider. "So their suggestion was just wait a couple of months," Trevor said, describing staff plans to put meter procurement out to bid after engineers finish specifications.

Residents from the Sunrise Mountain/Star Valley Ranch area raised safety concerns about water availability for structure fires, recalling a July fire last year and asking whether a fire hydrant could be installed where a 4-inch blow-off currently exists. The council summarized its conversation with Mid Valley Fire Chief Jenkins, who said the 4-inch blow-off would be sufficient for pump-and-shuttle operations to keep truck tanks filled but would not replace a full-service hydrant. The mayor pro tem noted a parts-only estimate for installing a hydrant of roughly $14,000, and Trevor added that a full installation when bid could be higher once digging and connection costs are included.

Council members and residents discussed options: installing a hydrant, improving seasonal clearing around the standpipe so it does not freeze, or relying on drop tanks and shuttle operations for remote lots. No formal hydrant-installation decision was made at the meeting; staff were asked to explore costs, permitting and options for bidding vs. in-house work.