Here we are in November with no snow on the ground just yet; that will undoubtedly change soon. In the meantime, here’s a rundown of happenings at the Ranch for the past week:
Tuesday, November 7th at 5pm the Town of Star Valley Ranch (TSVR) Roads Advisory Board met at Town Hall. This is only the second meeting of this newly created board, and the members are currently working to define their mission and identify initial tasks. You can read the meeting agenda at this link.
Wednesday, November 8th the TSVR Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board met at Town Hall. You can find draft meeting minutes here. Note these draft minutes clarify that the driveway approach ordinance change, and possibly other P&Z ordinance changes are expected to go before the Town Council in December.
The biggest news of the week was the Public Meeting held at 7pm on Thursday, November 9th at Town Hall. The purpose of the Public Meeting was to inform residents of emerging water system requirements being proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—namely for TSVR to initiate water system chlorination until the Green Canyon Water Storage Tank is repaired. An email notice (read it here) sent to residents on Tuesday morning, November 7th provided additional details in advance of the Public Meeting. During the Public Meeting the Mayor and Council relayed the following developments and committed to keeping residents informed as the situation evolves:
Following discussion with EPA representatives and after receipt of assistance from state leadership (including local State Senator Dockstader and United States Senator Barrasso), TSVR will provide a Correction Action Plan to the EPA with alternatives in lieu of initiating system-wide chlorination.
Alternatives may include audit of current water sampling processes, re-training of staff, shock chlorination of the water system followed by resampling, installation of discrete water sampling taps, and possible acceleration of the Green Canyon Water Storage Tank liner installation project.
I’ll be sure to keep you informed on this subject as it develops.
Veterans Day was observed Saturday, November 11th at Star Valley Ranch. Volunteer residents met at sunrise to install 50 American flags along Vista Drive. These same volunteers came together again at sunset to take the flags back down. This is the last time these flags will be installed and taken down for calendar year 2023. We really appreciate the time and effort from these volunteers (coordinated by the Lincoln County Democrats) in taking on this task after our local Boy Scout Troop could no longer perform the service for our town. Want to be a volunteer next year? Drop me an email and I’ll put you in contact with the volunteer group when they get back together in the spring.
Volunteers put up flags at sunrise along Vista Drive on Veterans Day. Other news notes for the week:
In case you missed it; you can read a few weekly news updates from around the Cowboy State in my latest “Around the 307” post.
The Town of Star Valley Ranch (TSVR) has hired a new billing clerk. Be sure to say hello to her next time you’re at Town Hall.
With a TSVR Council Meeting coming up next week, you can access and read proposed ordinance changes at this link.
And there’s still time to review the Star Valley Ranch Association (SVRA) 2024 Proposed Budget and Fee Schedule—check it out at this link.
Calendar items for next week (with most everything seemingly happening on Tuesday) are as follows:
Tuesday, November 14th there is a lot going on:
Coffee with the Mayor, 9am at Town Hall
Town Council Work Session, 2pm at Town Hall
TSVR Natural Resources Board meeting, 2pm at Public Works building
TSVR Municipal Court, 2pm, upstairs at Town Hall
SVRA Board of Directors workshop, 6pm at Cedar Creek Center
Town Council Meeting, 7pm at Town Hall
Thursday, November 16th at 7pm the SVRA Board of Directors will hold their monthly meeting at Cedar Creek Center.
A final note and photo—look at this handsome fella! I call him Big Boy Junior or BBJ. (His namesake Big Boy hasn’t been seen for a couple of years now.) BBJ loves to snack on fallen aspen leaves on the lawn. He and others of his ilk are actively moving about during this time of year as they work on fattening up for winter. So, please keep your eyes open as you’re out and about on Ranch roads. Have a great week!
Thanks for reading! As ever, I appreciate you sharing the Close to Home 307 website with your Ranch family and friends. Email me anytime at: close2home307@gmail.com