Emery Town Discusses Forest Roads

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Emery Town installed its new council members on Jan. 5, their first official meeting was on Jan. 13 where the main topic of discussion was forest roads. The Emery Town council consists of Glenys Sitterud, Gary Jensen, Donald J. Riddle and Eric Anderson and Mayor Mike Williams.
Sitterud said that she had recently been to a meeting where the closing of forest roads was discussed. She actively encouraged the Emery residents to voice their concerns about any forest road closures. She displayed a map of these closures which the council examined.
It was determined that Emery Town draft a letter indicating that Emery would like all of the roads left open for access by cattlemen, recreationalists, water users, hunters and all other uses. Sitterud said, “Be specific with your letters, take a particular road and list the reasons why you don’t want it closed.”
Sitterud said the forest service is considering these road closures as part of their resource management plan which is in the planning stages. She also mentioned the Utah Environmental College which is pushing for the closure of forest roads.
Public lands council chairman, Dennis Worwood has said, “The Utah Environmental College is to forest lands, what SUWA is to the BLM lands.”
Sitterud said in talking to Bill Broadbear from the forest service, one reason listed for road closures is the forest service does not have adequate funding for the maintenance of all its existing roads. Sitterud did not view this as a problem because a number of those roads are not being maintained now and its not a big deal if they aren’t maintained.
The people need access to the reservoirs, cattle watering tanks and other places as well as access in a situation like a forest fire.
Mayor Williams said that all roads should be kept open unless there is a specific reason for closing a road.
In other business the council discussed the placement of some new yield and stop signs. It was determined to place 10 new yield signs. Some intersections are also impeded with low hanging limbs which Kenny Christiansen will trim.
Justin Childs from the fire department discussed the possiblity of a junior fire fighter program which gives youth the chance to participate safely in fire fighter training and go on calls with the volunteer fire department. It is the hope that such a program will encourage the youth to become volunteer fire fighters when they turn 18.
Councilman Riddle will be in charge of the fire department and he will work out the details as well as obtaining badges for fire fighters in Emery.
Money was allocated to build kiosks for the cemetery and money for Judy Riddle to attend computer programming training for town clerks. Sitterud also read a letter written by Ruby Minchey entitled, “What about Emery.”
Anderson told about plans for a Christmas in July motorcycle ride to possibly be held in conjunction with the 24th of July celebration in Emery. They would gather toys for kids for Christmas during this summer ride and also during their winter ride.
Sitterud asked the council if they would like to help sponsor the Arapeen Trail Jamboree again this coming September.
Mayor Williams said last year they donated two meals and it was decided this sponsorship will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting which will be held on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at city hall.