Plains town council talk civic improvements

PLAINS – Plains Town Council met on Monday, August 5 to discuss plans for improvements around the town as well as the possible construction of a veteran memorial park.

Sandy Chenoweth said the plans to construct a salute to veterans on the greenway in Plains are underway. The veterans salute would feature a slab of concrete and seven flag poles - each one honoring the military as well as featuring the United States and Montana flag.

Phase one would involve constructing the concrete and making it handicap accessible. The rectangle of concrete would be about 56 feet long to accommodate all the flags.

“Anyone who drives through town, they’re going to see this and they’ll say the people of Plains care about their military,” said Chenoweth.

Phase two of the project would involve an honor wall, although plans for the wall are still in the early stages. Military personnel from the area, whether deceased, alive or still active, would be recognized on the wall.

The one problem Chenoweth foresaw was the need for lighting. The veterans salute would need to have adequate lighting or otherwise the U.S. flag would have to be taken down every night. Chenoweth had been looking into solar lighting, an efficient way to light the area without a monthly electrical bill. However, if this option would not work, a nearby power pole could provide the power for the lighting.

Chenoweth said the erection of the project would not cost the town anything because of eager businesses and residents who want to help raise money for the salute.

Another issue brought up was that the railroad would have to grant permission for the use of the greenway, a hurdle that was not foreseen as problematic.

Chenoweth explained that both the Paradise and Thompson Falls greenways have structures on them.

“It will take some work and it will take some time, that’s for sure,” said Mayor Michael Brinson.

The amount of effort involved did not thwart anyone holding a council seat. The group agreed to allow the project to continue, with all in favor of it.

The town council also discussed the camera system they plan to install at the E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool Park. The bid for the cameras was $3,735.50 but with donations from a variety of different locations, the cost was brought down to around $1,500 with other donations coming in from the Plains Lions Club.

As they progressed through the meeting, the topic of repairing one of the tennis courts at the pool park arose. Brinson said the town had already sprayed and killed the vegetation in the cracks of one of the courts.

“In case someone comes up with the money so we can have the cracks repaired, they will be dead and ready to deal with,” said Mayor Brinson.

Numerous volunteers from the community have approached council members about fundraising money to get the tennis court up and running.

According to Brinson, there is no money in the budget right now. However, if the town does not have to pay what they originally thought for the camera system, they might be able to move $2,800 to $3,000 for the repair of one of the courts – the total repair cost adding up to between $6,000 and $7,000.

“If we could get donations for (the cameras) then we could probably move about $3,000 for the tennis courts,” said Mayor Brinson.

The council continued into discussing the possible construction of a dog kennel for the town’s use. Mayor Brinson said a volunteer agreed to put up the forms for the cement and the town still has to have an electrician look at the power system in the area.

The revised pool operations handbook was looked over with multiple changes made to the operation manual, something that was adopted back in 2008. The changes brought the information up to date and although a few other changes may occur, the handbook was approved.

The council looked into matching funds for a feasibility study on irrigation. According to Mayor Brinson, the town is trying to come up with $10,000 for the study and it aims to get people away from the river. The group involved in gathering the information did not meet the deadline and Mayor Brinson said the next mayor would have to take a close look at this issue.

Next on the agenda was the electricity at the Fred Young Park. Mayor Brinson said it was discovered that an electric meter on the building had the power cut and the council voted to put up a new meter so the gazebo would still have electricity in the bathroom and the main event area.

Plains Town Council meets on the first Monday of every month, however, in lieu of Labor Day the September meeting was moved to Tuesday, September 3.