TF Council considers park security system

The Thompson Falls City Council this week discussed purchasing a security system for Ainsworth Park’s Veteran’s Memorial. “There’s so much money wrapped up down there and we need to do it for our veterans,” council member Shawni Vaught said at Monday’s meeting. The council is considering purchasing two cameras to oversee the area. After contacting a possible company to hire, Big Sky Networks, they were surprised to learn how affordable it would be to have a system put into place. The installation, with one camera, was quoted to cost $1,524.98 They had originally wanted to put in only one camera but decided upon putting in another after learning it would only cost an extra $299 for the additional camera. The system includes night vision and viewing monitors which can be installed anywhere, even in the police station. According to Mayor Mark Sheets, the system is the same used by the county. The council will look further into the system and will consult the county for more insight into the system before officially deciding on having it installed.

Staff from the Highlead attended the meeting to make several requests. The requests concerned the front section of the restaurant. During the summer months, the Highlead puts out a covered eating area where they also use a smoker. Cody Mosher, from the Highlead, mentioned that after a pipe froze and burst last winter, the cement sidewalk in front was torn out and the pipe was replaced. When that rubble was removed, one of the Highlead’s temporary fence inserts was removed along with it. Mosher asked if the Highlead could drill into the cement and put in another insert. He also requested the closing time limit be extended after 10:30 p.m.. One reason was because of some new, heavier duty tables the Highlead was also requesting permission to use. According to Mosher, storing these tables away at night would increase the closing time, as they are far heavier. “We are looking to be more active in our kitchen,” said Mosher. All these requests were approved by the council, and the Highlead has been allowed to stay out on the sidewalk until they close each night.

The council also talked about including more signage into Ainsworth Park. These may include maps for local trails, identification of prominent locations and more. The council asked any residents with ideas to submit them to the Recreation and Public Properties Committee at the courthouse.

The final item brought before the council meeting was the consideration of a new set of rules, fees and regulations for the city pool. This year the pool will have the same fees for all customers, regardless of whether or not they are city residents. There will also be no refunds this year. Sheets mentioned that there is also a change that will allow staff to suspend anyone harassing employees or other customers. Sheets said there were several problems last year, and this year “we are not going to put up with it.”