City cedes operation of Townsend Airport to Broadwater County
 | Author:
Linda Kent, MT 43 News Staff Reporter
MT43 News Correspondent |
City Council 03052024
Suggested Headline: City cedes operation of Townsend Airport to Broadwater County
Linda Kent
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
After receiving no public comment during the March 5 hearing regarding terminating the city’s joint operation of the Townsend Airport with Broadwater County, the city resolved to end the agreement in a unanimous vote. The resolution also cedes the land where the airstrip is located to the county.
Broadwater County is nearing the end of planning a multi-million dollar project to upgrade the airport and airstrip, with work to begin this year.
Also in the March 5 meeting:
● City firefighters will be receiving updated breathing equipment after the council approved the purchase of 16 sets of cylinders, masks, and packs. The approximately $11,000 purchase comes at a timely moment, as fire department representative Shawn Simon said, as another mask recently failed.
● Councilman Angie Wintrow reported that the county airport board would like to see lighting on the new water tower. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the planned tower without lighting, Wintrow said lighting is included in the cost estimate for the $11 million airport restoration project.
● Mayor Vickie Rauser informed the council that the city would likely not be able to meet a March 31 deadline for applying for a grant offered under the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act (SLIPA). The city did not have a documented, prioritized list of infrastructure projects prior to a Dec. 31, 2023, cut-off date. Councilman JB Howick proposed that the development of such a plan be added to a future agenda.
● Jane Gillette presented a summary of a Community Responsiveness Fund grant available from the Montana Community Foundation. The grant's priorities are basic needs and short-term assistance, community assessment building, health and wellness and, and restorative and emergency response. No match is needed for what would likely be a long-term grant if the city were to successfully apply. No action was taken at this time.
● The pool committee will meet after the March 15 deadline for applications for the position of pool manager. Howick reported that no applications had been received as of March 5. If a pool manager is not selected, the city pool will not open this week.
● Councilmembers approved the installation of a new “Welcome to Townsend” electronic sign. Paid for by the Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce, the new sign will stand approximately 24 feet tall, standing above the cows and monument on the corner of Heritage Park. The sign replaces the current sign located on the southwest side of the intersection of Broadway and Front Streets.
● The council gave City Works Director Eric Crusch the go-ahead to have local contractor Danny Kirk TV the sewer lines between South Cherry and South Walnut Streets, at a cost of approximately $600. Other estimates Crush had received ranged from $5,000-6,000. The video will provide Crusch with an accurate map of the sewer tie-ins along that stretch of the city main. The work was identified in anticipation of the planned Copper Creek subdivision’s proposed lift station.
● Dela Chatriand of the Townsend Lions Club requested the city’s permission to hold the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Heritage Park on March 30. The club will block off portions of B, C, and South Pine streets during the event. The council approved the event unanimously.
● Several ordinances are currently being drafted by City Attorney Peter Simon, including a telecommunications franchise ordinance tabled for the March 19 council meeting and a sewer ordinance to be addressed at a later date.
● The council also tabled several items due to a lack of updates or information. These included: the installation of Wi-Fi at City Hall, installing dog waste stations in city parks, clarification of the city’s role with the county parks and recreation board, an ag lease agreement with Joe Nelson, and the status of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s planned route.
