Castle Dale begins preparations for Christmas

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Castle Dale City met in their November meeting on Veteran’s Day. Mayor Neal Peacock called for a moment of silence in honor of those now serving and those who have served our country in the past. He said this past year a few Castle Dale veterans have passed away. Work is beginning on the Castle Dale fire station, the electrical contract fell below the amount needed to advertise for the bid.
The community impact board list of projects Castle Dale City would like to see completed was approved. One of the projects is the modification of the old pool and its removal along with redoing the heating in the building, the amount listed for the project is $250,000. Another project is the demolition of the old forest service house and construction of a pavilion, stage, bathrooms and dressing rooms.
The brick from the old pool will be used as a decorative brick face on the fire station. When the city goes to the CIB for these projects they will ask for a grant and will participate with some funding from Castle Dale City. The next CIB funding cycle will be Feb. 1 and June of next year.
The city council discussed the animal control resolution. Council member Jeremy Jewkes and Mayor Peacock met and reworked the resolution. This resolution deals with the city animal control officer and what their duties and responsibilities entail. They will keep the city vehicle clean and in good repair. They will answer to the city council member under animal control which is Jewkes. The animal control officer will keep track of city animal traps. These traps can be loaned to other cities, but they need to come back after the borrower is finished with them. The animal control officer is a contract employee with no benefits and no insurance. The officer is paid for handling an animal. Every situation is different involving different circumstances. The animal control resolution was approved.
The council discussed the government trust insurance.
Dr. Glen Jensen from Emery Animal Health brought up the rabies vaccination clinics and the dates involved. Dec. 18 from 8-noon and Dec. 28 from 2-6 p.m. They are conducting well animal clinics during this time and will give these examinations and rabies vaccines at this time. They are asking dog owners to schedule an appointment for this clinic. Dr. Jensen wants the animals who receive vaccinations to be healthy. Pet owners will be able to purchase their dog licenses for their particular city at that time. Dr. Jensen sees several advantages to doing things this way. The animals will be examined for overall health, pet owners will avoid long lines at rabies clinics, pets won’t be exposed to other dogs who may be ill or unfriendly. It is expected the appointments will only take 10 minutes and they will be able to move dogs through fairly fast. Those who only want a rabies vaccine can do that at this time for the rabies fee. A $35 fee will include the wellness exam, deworming and rabies shot. The council agreed this sounded like a good way to handle things with the dogs and licenses. The city will include the information about the two days of the clinics in their city newsletter. The city dog tags for next year haven’t arrived yet, but hopefully they will be here in time for the first clinic.
The Castle Dale City Christmas party will be on Dec. 9 from 5-7 p.m. at the Emery County Recreation Building.
In the council members reports Julie Johansen said the planning and zoning commission is two people short. The planning and zoning has adopted a city vision statement. They are reviewing the city general plan and when it’s complete it will need to go before a public hearing. Planning and zoning members include: Ronda Gardiner, Bry Clement, Devin Esplin, LeAnn Seely and Brian Dawes.
Richard Herring reported there are a half dozen people still in ordinance violation for having trailers, boats, etc. parked on city streets. There are a few outstanding business licenses. A late fee needs to be adopted for those who are late with business license fees.
All of the city businesses are listed on the city website by category and in alphabetical order which helps to advertise the businesses at no cost to the business.
The city is working with property owners who need their property cleaned-up, both businesses and residential.
Mayor Peacock reported he met with a couple of property owners with property on Main Street. They looked for solutions on what can be done to help the properties look better. One owner said he would sell if he had the chance. Property values are dropping, but the taxes on the property are not.
The resolution of the playground equipment destruction at Cheddar Field was resolved in court. The juvenile will do 100 hours of community service along with a $700 payment. The Castle Dale insurance will pay $41,000 and new playground equipment has been ordered. The other boy involved has been sent away. Mayor Peacock said he believes things turned out quite well as the insurance company didn’t want to pay, but a letter from the attorney to the insurance company convinced them the playground equipment was covered under Castle Dale City insurance.
Joel Dorsch, council member reported the Christmas lights are going up and the city has added a new manger scene this year that is very impressive. Council member Kollette Kologie thanked everyone for their help with the pumpkin festival and enlisted their help for the Christmas party on Dec. 9 at 5-7 p.m.
NIMs training will take place in January.
Jewkes reported Seth Smith is doing a good job as their new animal control officer.
The work at the fire station is progressing and Lofthouse is doing the electrical, Snow Heating and Ken Stilson are also working on the building.
It will be complete by early next year. The first three new fire trucks for each town in the county will be done in December. They will go back and pick them up in January. The new Castle Dale fire truck will be last because it is being painted blue and white.
Castle Dale City received a large donation for Christmas decorations from an anonymous donor and they would like to thank them for helping make Christmas a little brighter around Castle Dale.