Quiet zone, tiny houses discussed at Lind Town Council meeting

Lind’s Town Council met on April 23 with a plethora of topics on the agenda. A council quorum was present, and councilmember Kathy Vedder was excused from the meeting.

Councilmember Rose Elkington shared the research she did regarding the Town’s rating and homeowner’s insurance rates being increased. Community member Gary DeMoss had attended the prior meeting and questioned the council why the Town’s rating had gone down. Elkington explained that when a town is protected by a volunteer fire department, it affects a reduction in the insurance rating of the town. That is what led to the reduced rating for Lind.

Mayor Paula Bell showed the council the old “Welcome to Lind” brochure. The pictures and some of the information is outdated, and Mayor Bell contacted Katelin Davidson to possibly do an updated brochure. Davidson quoted a price of $119.55 for 100 full color/full glossy paper or 500 full color/glossy paper at $283.40. Neither quote includes tax and shipping. Ms. Davidson is contacting other businesses to see if they would be interested in purchasing some brochures, as a higher quantity would discount the individual price. Councilmembers were asked to think it over and bring suggestions to the next meeting.

Mayor Bell passed a flier to councilmembers regarding an upcoming informational event addressing aging and adult care. The event will be held at 12 p.m. on May 17 at the Lind Senior Center.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) situation was also given an update at the meeting. Casie Monge and Ben from Aero-Mod were at the plant on April 22. They located some shredded belts and loose screws, which they fixed. The Town has received the new polymer, which is intended to help with getting the “good” and “bad” bugs in the Plant to even out. David Caballero will be running the press once a week until further notice. Also, Well 6 is getting busy with local trucks filling for their springtime farming activities.

Mayor Bell informed the council that the Town has received the invoice from Pacific Power for the fuel injectors and fuel cleaning for the Well 8 generator. Next, fuel needs to be purchased to fill up the generator at Well 8, as well as the generator at the WWTP. Bulk fuel will be purchased from Connell Oil. A 4-cent discount per gallon is available if the invoice is paid in full. Josamy Blake started the generator at Well 8; it is still a bit sluggish. Pacific Power suggested that the Town may need a couple of isolation valves. Those will be installed before filling with fuel.

Mayor Bell reported that the main water line on 7th street is now fixed. The pipe that was replaced was very old and rusted through. The road is still closed until Town employees can get more gravel/asphalt to stabilize the roadway and allow for settling.

She also reported that there is a leak under 5th Street. Town crew has located the area and will begin repairing. Continuing with reported “leaks,” there is a leak at the old swimming pool bathhouse. Valves have been shut off, but there is still a leak. There is a valve somewhere on E Street that needs to be located to stop the leak.

In addition to the foregoing updates, the council was briefed on various projects going on around Town. Robert Dew will be working on street patching and filling potholes. Parks are now getting mowed, new blades have been ordered, and weed control is coming soon. Mayor Bell and councilmember Elkington have painted a few more planters so they all match. Elkington stated that, weather permitting, she will finish the stenciling this week. Mayor Bell said the planters will soon be planted with seeds.

The Town street sweeper from Connell is still broken down. As soon as it is repaired and Connell has completed their street sweeping, Lind is next on the list. The council was reminded that golf carts are now coming out and registration dues are coming up. Dues are $15 per year, and proof of insurance is required.

Mayor Bell informed the council that last week she and Clerk/Treasurer Kylie Buell met with Andie Lorenz, the new assistant director/fire marshal for Adams County Building and Planning. Lorenz went over new forms that are now being requested, as well as the associated procedures.

Community member Robert Dew was in attendance to find out what was being done regarding train horns. Dew has gotten numerous signatures on a petition to adopt a quiet zone for the Town. He explained that there is a carbon fiber sleeve that is available that slides over the end of existing crossing gate arms that is long enough to not allow cars to drive around the arms, but he did not know where to purchase them.

Councilmember Jim Dworshak said that he will do some research to find out what options and process would help to establish quiet zones at railroad crossings. Dew also expressed concerns regarding the garbage around town and dogs barking continuously. He asked why nothing is being done to enforce the Town’s ordinances. Mayor Bell stated that the Town does not have funds for Code Enforcement.

Community member David Fremo was also in attendance to gather clarification regarding an article that was in the newspaper regarding tiny houses. Mr. Fremo was concerned that the way he read it was that the Town will not allow an individual to build a house within Town limits unless it meets a certain square footage requirement. Councilmember Rose Elkington explained to Mr. Fremo that the article in the newspaper was pertaining to the tiny houses that are on wheels. Tiny homes on wheels could be categorized as RV’s, which are not allowed as residences within Town limits.