Plains council approves items

The Plains Town Council meeting last week went for nearly three hours, mostly because of the public comment period for a proposed ordinance, which took up more than half of the time. Still, the council was able to vote on six measures on the agenda, including most of the new proposed Community Decay Ordinance. The Junked Vehicles section was tabled until next month’s meeting.

Gary Revier, on behalf of the Plains Golf Association, asked for the council’s approval to establish a seven-spot RV park at the golf course. Revier told the council the closest RV parks are located in Thompson Falls and St. Regis. He feels an RV park in Plains would help the general community and help support the golf course. The land of the nine-hole golf course is owned by the town. Revier said the work would be no cost to the town and they still must get approval from the county and state. The council unanimously approved the request.

The council also approved Mayor Dan Rowan’s appointment of Tom Collins as the town judge, approved two variance requests, and accepted the town’s social media policy. Rowan said the town is creating a Facebook page to help keep people in the community better informed. In addition, the council approved the request of a $50,000 grant to purchase two new police cars, which are estimated at $80,000 for both vehicles, said Rowan. The council also unanimously voted to continue its pursuit of the Treasure State Endowment Program grants to block the erosion of the Plains Wastewater Treatment Facility. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently dumped thousands of tons of riprap along the shore near the treatment plant’s UV structure to stop the erosion, but Rowan feels the town still needs to find a more permanent solution. The council had already approved the construction of a steel barrier at an estimated $1.1 million, most of which will be paid by grants.

The mayor said Weatherly Electric will begin working on replacing the old and outdated electrical system at the public works/fire hall next week.

Rowan also let the council know that the town would not receive the road district tax funds until November. He was under the impression they would get them sooner and hoped to have Farmer Street, the worst of the town roads according to the Public Works Department, done this summer.

Work on the drainage portion is slated to begin next week. Meanwhile, Rowan said they’re looking for funds from some other source to get the job finished.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 2, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.