Crews begin laying pipe in first phase of Thompson Falls sewer project

The sewer project will take shape this week as workers begin laying pipe, starting from the west end of Preston Avenue moving east. The project is estimated to take several weeks and progress can be followed on the city council website, under the infrastructure page. The city council spoke about funding for street repair, as the project moves along, during their meeting Monday. The city has received funds from a separate state program called the Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Program (BARSSA). These funds have been used on several city projects in the past and will now be used to supplement street repairs not covered by the sewer project. "Hopefully, we can get more new streets out of it than what we would otherwise," said Mayor Mark Sheets.

Crystal Buchanan showed up at the meeting, representing the Thompson Falls Public Library. The library is asking to put a time capsule at Ainsworth Park, and to be retrieved in 100 years. Buchanan brought in a handout displaying a size representation, and description of the time capsule the library wishes to purchase. Buchanan also spoke on giving location coordinates to several organizations throughout the community ensuring the capsule is not forgotten, two of these she suggested were the city council and the library. The council spoke about placing the capsule at the same time the park official opening, a date which has not yet been decided.

Mayor Sheets suggested logging trees taken down by the windstorm early this year. Sheets said they estimated about 15 loads of logs from around the old pump house alone, and that doing so in other places owned by the city would bring Thompson Falls some extra funds. The removal was approved.

The city council also accepted the resignation of City Judge Donald Strine, and accepted the appointment of Tom Collins, who is also the city judge for Hot Springs and Plains.