Ferron City Council held a public hearing recently to receive comments on the proposed building of 100 new horse stalls at the fairgrounds. Councilman Joe Trenery stated this proposal would entail the installation of five buildings, each with accommodations for 20 horses.
Also included in this project would be the installation of a new sale ring for the stock show, and more sheep and pig pens for the stock show.
An estimate of the cost of the project is $285,000. The breakdown is: five 20 stall horse barns with 12 foot breezeway-$195,000; pig and sheep pens-280 six-rail panels-$27,500; 60×78 building for new show ring-$20,600; footings-$5,000; water lines-$3,000; power and lighting-$5,000; and labor-$29,000.
One comment from a resident was that there are a great many horse trainers who are looking for a place to train and be ready in time for the spring and summer shows. He stated that Ferron is the perfect place for those trainers. He also stated that Ferrons track is the best there is.
Another resident questioned the system to monitor the payments for stall rent. The projection is to hire someone in the future, part time, to oversee the stalls. The income from the stalls is anticipated to cover this expense.
Following the public hearing, the council approved to move ahead with this project.
The council also approved to move into negotiations with the Conover family concerning the exchange of property that would allow the city to access a 56 acre parcel of their property. At the present time, there is no suitable access to this property and the Division of Wildlife Resources wishes to put a fishing pond at the site. The city will now begin negotiations to acquire access for the public to use as access to the fishing pond.
City beautification chairperson Emily Nielson, announced that March 17-24 will be city clean up week. There will be five-six dumpsters placed around the city for residents to use for their personal yard clean up. Then on March 24, the residents are encouraged to meet at Mayors Park for juice and doughnuts. They will then be asked to help with the community clean up. Nielson asked permission to place hanging flower pots and other flower containers around the city. Permission was given.
Councilman Randy Fox announced the burn window is April 15-May 13. He stated there have been several people who have begun burning in town and that is not allowed at this time. The burn window is scheduled in conjunction with access to secondary water to control the fires. He also stated that permits are required from the city before any burning can be done.
Jordan Leonard, Millsite Golf Course manager announced that the golf course would be opening, weather permitting, on March 15. He said the crew will be removing the green covers on March 10. He also announced that a vendor has been secured to operate the restaurant at the club house. That vendor is R Pizza Place of Castle Dale.
Representatives from Nielsons Construction were at the council meeting to discuss the gravel pit and road conditions in Ferron. James Davis stated, I want to express that we feel we are a part of this community. We have coal and gravel trucks through here daily. When construction is slow, we haul gravel from the pit in the winter. Ferron is valuable to us. The speed of the trucks is a concern to us. We have talked to our drivers and have issued radar guns to the truck bosses. We have told the drivers they are not to use jake brakes in the cities. Let us know if there is a problem, get a truck number and we will take care of it. We need to be partners and we will address all concerns.
Mayor Gil Bowden went on to discuss the condition of 800 West with Davis, Bobby Pierce and John Nielson. In the past the repair work for the streets that are used by Nielsons has been split three ways, Ferron City, Nielsons and the Castle Valley Special Service District. The group decided to enter into negotiations to discuss the current needs of Ferron City. Davis added, We will be taking gravel from the Ferron pit for at least another five years. We appreciate your help with everything.
Councilperson Melinda MECCAriello announced the cost for a streetlight has been reduced from $3,000 to $900. This will allow the installation of a new streetlight on the corner 200 East Main Street. I am asking permission to work in conjunction with planning and zoning to come up with a plan to address the street lighting needs so we can install lights where needed. Permission was given.
The next Ferron City Council meeting will be March 8 at 7 p.m.
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