CITY OF TOWNSEND COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES FOR MARCH 4, 2025

Call to Order:  Mayor Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  In attendance for the council meeting are Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Doug Sitton, and Nate Brown.  Also in attendance are Dennis Schenk, Vickie Schwartzenberger, Shawn & Nichole Simon, Tim Rauser, Eric Crusch, and Kari Williams. 

Public Comment:  Any matter not on the agenda, but under the City’s jurisdiction—no public comment. 

Minutes from February 18, 2025:  Angie made a correction to the minutes, to note that there is a public hearing with Planning Board on Thursday, March 13^th at 6:30 p.m..  Angie made a motion to approve the February 18, 2025 minutes with the correction.  Vivian seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Handicap Sign/Signs request for D Street (Townsend Senior Housing):  Vickie Schwartzenberger spoke on this.  She stated that she uses a walker from severe arthritis, and her neighbor is on full time oxygen, so she thinks it would be helpful to have two handicap spots.  Discussion was held.  Vivian asked Eric his thoughts on this.  Eric said it’s tricky to know where to start and stop with these spots.  Mayor Rauser stated that there is already one handicap spot for another resident there.  Vickie Schwartzenberger stated she won’t go away mad either way.  One is better than none.  Vivian made a motion to add one handicap parking spot on D Street at the Townsend Senior Housing.  JB seconded the motion.  JB commented that if there’s a need for more in the future, he suggested that the council have a conversation with the owners.  All in favor, motion carried. 

MCR Grant Update:  Mayor Rauser stated that we’re still waiting to hear from MT Dept of Commerce to see if we can change the scope of the grant that was awarded. 

Swimming Pool-Staff and Cover:  Mayor Rauser stated that Eric has been in touch with the pool manager we had last year, and there is also some interest in the lifeguard positions.  Eric stated that the pool cover has exceeded its life expectancy, and we’re in need of a new pool cover.  Mayor Rauser stated that the bid for a new cover with a pro-rated warranty is $7,288.  JB stated that ordering early might be wise, considering there is a tariff war that may take place.  Mayor Rauser stated that is a good point. She stated that Eric is working on two more quotes for this, and this will be on the agenda at the next meeting so council can make a decision on it. 

Consideration of Snow Plow Acquisition (Approx $3500):  Mayor Rauser stated that TJ Gravely contacted her regarding the City purchasing one of their snow plows.  Eric stated that there is no where to store it at this point, and he cannot load that plow with sand and then store it inside.  It would have to be parked outside of the lift station.  JB asked if it’s his recommendation to pass on this offer.  Eric stated yes, that is his recommendation.  Angie asked Eric if the truck he’s using now could have a plow put on the front of it.  JB stated that he had one resident say they’ve seen the sanding truck driving around without a plow on it.  Angie stated that there is an ordinance that the City is responsible for only the emergency routes if there is eighteen inches or more of snow.  Doug stated that eighteen inches seems excessively high and asked if it could be changed.  Mayor Rauser stated yes, and that it’s an interlocal agreement with the county to borrow the plow after eighteen inches of snow accumulation.  JB said this subject is worth tabling while we weigh out the pros and cons of this. Nate asked if Eric could take a look at the snow plow, and Eric stated yes if that’s the council’s request.  Mayor Rauser stated that we’ll get some additional information and report back. 

Dennis Schenk/Townsend Flooring:  Dennis stated that he owns Townsend Flooring and received a letter from the City stating that he will now be responsible for paying the water, sewer, and garbage for  the apartment he put in above his business.  He said no one from the City contacted him prior to ask him anything about this addition.  He stated that the apartment is used as a showroom for his business.  He stated that it’s been a big success for his business.  They tapped into the water, and the ordinance states now it will need to be paid.  He stated that he doesn’t use it as an apartment and does not use the water.  He stated that if he used it as an apartment, he’d pay for it, but he doesn’t.  Angie asked if the sewer was also tapped into, and Dennis said yes.  Mayor Rauser stated that there was another person here several months ago that requested a modification to the ordinance.  She owned a duplex and did not have one half of the duplex rented.  Council did not allow for the modification due to the fact there was water to the empty unit.  Mayor Rauser stated that there is the option for a meter to be installed.  Dennis stated that this is an addition that is part of his business.  JB stated that he’s brought up a good point, and that Dennis added the addition to be a part of his business.  Mayor Rauser stated that she believes a way around this is by installing a meter, that way if the apartment should ever be rented, there wouldn’t be an issue.  JB stated that he’s inclined to a waiver, but he’d like to have a meeting with the Planning Board.  Nate asked if there’s a way to turn the water off to the apartment.  Dennis stated that he does not want to shut the water off.  Nate asked if it was his ever his intention to rent it out.  Dennis said no, but he built it in such a way that if the showroom didn’t work out, that he could rent it out because it looks like a home.  JB asked the price of a meter, and Eric stated that he will check on that.  Nate asked if there is a separate entrance to the upstairs and Dennis stated yes, there’s an outside entrance with a deck.  Mayor Rauser stated that the City reserves the right to set meters at the cost of the consumer and charge the meter rate specified in the fee schedule whenever there is any doubt as to the quantity of water being used.  Nate asked if the back entrance could be used as a fire escape, and Dennis stated yes.  Vivian stated that she doesn’t know why it was hooked up with water and sewer in the first place, because other showrooms are just for showing with no services.  Dennis stated that they wanted it to look like a real home, and if it didn’t work for what they planned for, they could use it as an apartment.  Dennis said that he thinks the ordinance is wrong for him because it’s part of his business.  Mayor Rauser stated that if this business changes hands and the apartment is rented out, the appropriate fees are not being charged.  Mayor Rauser stated that this is council’s decision, not the Planning Board’s decision.   Angie stated that there is no difference between the duplex owner and this issue.  Angie stated that we need to follow the ordinance.  JB stated that he thinks that this situation is rare, and since this is part of his business, he thinks there should be an exception.  He also stated that he doesn’t think the council wants to be perceived as trying to rake in cash.  Angie said that’s true, but we’d also be setting a precedence that could open the door for a lot more headaches.  JB asked how.  Angie stated that by giving someone the right to something that we’ve said no to others.  More discussion was held both in favor and against making an exception.   Angie stated that before making a rash decision on changing this ordinance, it would be best for everyone to review the ordinance and come back to it.  Mayor Rauser stated that we’ll get the price of a meter and check the size of the water line at this business and report back.

Pending

• Fireworks Draft Ordinance:  JB stated that this was not presented to the council for action, but to give it to council to read.  This will be on the agenda at the next council meeting.    
• General Ordinance Review Process:  Angie stated we have a Draft of the Fireworks Ordinance.
• Events Committee/Ordinance—meeting 3:00 p.m. on March 5^th at City Hall
• Telecommunications Franchise Committee/ Ordinance:  Angie stated that he and JB talked and will ask Peter Simon for the information he has on it.  Vivian volunteered to help on this committee. 
• Garbage Cans on Broadway—no comment
• Sewer Ordinance—no comment

Claims for February:  Angie made a motion to approve the claims.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Round Table

Public Comment-

• Shawn & Nichole Simon stated that the Rotary purchased the four tires that they needed for the fire truck.  
• Tim Rauser stated that he came to the meeting to say that the contractors are doing a very good job and he’s glad to see the new fire hydrants going in. 

Mayor/Council:  There is a public hearing at the Planning Board meeting on March 13^th at 6:30 p.m.  There is also a pre-bid meeting on March 14^th  at 11:30 a.m. for the Streets Project.  Mayor Rauser stated that she attended the Executive Forum in Helena last week and that it was well worth her time. 

Nate asked about the cars parked in front of the fire department.  The City Compliance Officer will look into that. 

Angie asked Eric if the streets will be fully repaired from the hydrant and valve work.  They will. 

Doug thanked Mayor Rauser for speaking at the Rotary meeting last week.

Clerk:

Public Works:  Eric stated that they found a hydrant today that was supposed to be operational, but it did not work.  It has been replaced. 

Adjournment:  Nate made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  JB seconded the motion.  All in favor, motion carried.