Plains Council discusses grant for firehall

Plains has applied for a grant of about $95,000, which would be earmarked for improvements to the town firehall that require extensive repairs and improvements. The grant would require a 25% contribution from the town.

The grant was discussed at the Plains Council meeting last week. 

A separate grant the town applied for to fund improvements and encourage tourism within the community was not approved, according to a report from Mayor Joel Banham. 

The judge’s report and Police Department’s activities for May were highlight earlier in the meeting. 

Eighty-five new cases appeared before the court, with 71 still pending. Ninety-seven warrants were still active. The court received $8,238 in May. Sixty-seven disposed/waiting on payment cases were completed.  

Banham continued with a report on the town’s water usage, stating that there was a 20% water loss within the town’s system due to leaks.  

Plains City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Anthony Young was the only department head in attendance. Young reported that only one call out for firefighters occurred, which was a motorhome. The department’s Fill the Boot fundraiser during Plains Day brought in$773. The department added a new volunteer which brings the total number of firefighters to 10. 

The Plains Police Department reported 158 citations, 35 business bar checks, one arrest and 25 other agency assists during May. 

Banham announced that the town’s swimming pool will be opening June 10 from 1-5 p.m. Nine lifeguards have been trained and are ready for the season.  

Banham also reported that the new riding lawn mower has arrived and will be placed into service soon.  

He gave a short report on the success of Plains Day.  

“The turtle race was a hoot, there were over 60 turtles,” he said. “I hope they all found their way back to the creek.” 

Under unfinished business both items, parking of motor vehicle and the review of Chapter 4 ordinance billing were tabled.  

Banham said, “The hold up here, so you know, we don’t want to do this twice. Hopely we can put together an ordinance that we don’t immediately have to amend.” 

An informational presentation was given by Sanders County Public Health’s Tobacco Education Specialist Karren McKinzie. Her presentation during the council meeting centered around ways and resources available to further limit exposure in parks and public spaces. Sanders County’s Tobacco Prevention Program centers around ways to improve the health of residents by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and by reducing tobacco and nicotine products usage. For further information contact Karren McKinzie at kmckinzie@sanders.mt.us. 

Local resident Tracy Scott was reappointed to his second three-year term as a member of the Plains Police Commission. He also served as a reserve deputy for six years with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office. 

Replacement of the two remaining horses on the greenway is under consideration. The council is looking for some material that would be more weather resistant. 

Last on the agenda was a discussion raised by the public concerning the inability to make left turns along Railroad Avenue into parking spaces. Banham commented that the ordinance was put into place to alleviate congestion within town limits. Some citizens felt that the ordinance was a money maker for the town through citations issued. In 2023, 30 warnings were issued for the infraction, with six tickets written at $25 each.

    Plains Mayor Joel Banham discusses potential improvements to the town firehall at the Plains Council meeting last week. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
 Tracy Scott