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Here’s your Ranch news roundup for the week of March 31st, 2024:
On Tuesday, April 2nd at 5pm the Town of Star Valley Ranch (TSVR) Roads Advisory Board (RAB) met at Town Hall. See the meeting agenda here. The RAB has been working to identify projects for possible inclusion as Special Purpose (6th Penny) Tax initiatives on the 2024 General Election ballot. Projects under consideration include paving of additional roads in TSVR as well as the possible addition of walkways and pathways.
What is the 6th Penny Tax? State law allows counties, in cooperation with cities and towns, to fund specific projects through a voluntary sales tax. Counties, cities, and towns pass resolutions that include proposed projects and amounts needed to complete those projects. Voters are then asked to vote on those projects. If approved by the majority of voters, a “6th penny” sales tax is added to your purchases. When the specific amount is collected, the tax stops.
I first wrote about the 6th Penny back in November—you can check out that post here in case you missed it. And, I’ll keep you posted on 6th Penny projects for TSVR.
On Thursday, April 4th at 1pm the TSVR Finance Advisory Board (FAB) held their quarterly meeting at Town Hall. Here’s a link to the agenda and minutes should be forthcoming soon. In the meantime, you can find the approved minutes from the FAB’s January 2024 meeting here.
Here are a few other news items for the week:
It’s the 80th birthday of Smokey Bear! To celebrate, the Pinedale Ranger District and the Bridger-Teton National Forest will host historic Rudolph Wendelin paintings of Smokey Bear (on loan from the USDA National Agricultural Library) at the Pinedale Library from April 8th through April 19th. Wendelin’s original paintings were completed from 1977 through 1995 and are considered the most famous depictions of Smokey Bear. Check out the exhibit if you can!
A 1982 rendition of Smokey Bear by Rudy Wendelin. Also this week TSVR began advertising to hire a Town Building Official. The Building Official will review building applications and plans, approve and issue building permits, perform building inspections, and enforce Town code in relation to building ordinances and the International Residential Code/International Building Code (IRC/IBC). Applicants will need certification as a building inspector and plan reviewer or the ability to obtain certification within a year of hire. The position is full-time with benefits. A full job description is available on request. If interested please email your resume to the TSVR Mayor (mayor@starvalleyranchwy.org).
On Friday, April 5th, our local animal shelter, Lucky's Place, posted a plea for adopters as they currently have no room for any incoming animals. Lucky’s Place asks “If you have been thinking about adoption, please come visit us at the shelter and meet our animals. When we don't have space, we are unable to help animals in need. Some have no time for waiting. We urgently need your help.” Thank you for reading and sharing this request.
Melty goodness conditions are starting to set in along our local trails. Check out the Star Valley Ranch Trail Crew Facebook page for the latest conditions.
Finally, last weekend there was a report of a wolf sighting at the Ranch with the following photo shared from a homeowner’s camera trap. This sighting has not been confirmed. To me, the image does not look like a coyote, however, I suppose it could be someone’s pet dog just running at large. What do you all think? There have been other wolf sightings from time-to-time in Star Valley and my husband and I saw two of them a couple of years ago off of Creamery Road close to the Idaho border. So, Canis lupis could be in our area.
Next week there are lots of things going on—here are calendar dates:
Monday, April 8th a solar eclipse will take place starting at 11:30am. Hope clouds don’t obscure our view!
Tuesday, April 9th has the following schedule of events:
Coffee with the Mayor, 9am at Town Hall
Town Council Work Session, 10am at Town Hall.
TSVR Municipal Court, 2pm, upstairs at Town Hall
Town Council Meeting, 7pm at Town Hall.
Wednesday, April 10th, at 5pm the TSVR Planning and Zoning Board will meet at Town Hall.
Final thoughts—although we’re now well past the spring solstice, winter tried to make a comeback this past weekend with 2 to 3 inches of snow at my house on Friday and again on Saturday. And, as I write this, it is snowing again outside. Spring where are you? Stay safe out there folks!
That’s all for today—Thank you for reading! Please invite your neighbors, family, and friends to check out Close to Home 307. Your support and feedback is very much appreciated! Email me anytime at: close2home307@gmail.com
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