Townsend City Council
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter
Article Published: 06/19/2026 Volume: 4 Edition: 50Rachael Brug
Staff Reporter
The Townsend City Council welcomed two new volunteer firefighters, authorized a budget adjustment for urban forestry, and advanced several ordinance updates at its June 2 regular meeting.
New Firefighters Join the Ranks
Mayor Vickie Rauser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with council members Angie Wintrow, JB Howick, Vivian Boaz, Peter Simon, and Nate Brown in attendance.
The council's first order of business was approving two new members to the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department: Mason Schmitz and Dustin Clark, both of whom have completed their training and passed certification. The council unanimously approved their addition, with the fire chief noting that 96 percent of the department's runs have involved ambulance transport. The chief also extended appreciation to the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office for its assistance during a recent storm, when deputies helped clear downed tree branches and block streets to aid emergency access.
Urban Forestry Budget Amended
The council approved a $10,000 amendment to the Urban Forestry Fund budget, raising the annual appropriation from $30,425 to $40,425. The increase is needed to cover an extended watering contract — stretched longer than usual due to a warmer-than-normal winter — and a larger-than-expected invoice for stump grinding and burning services. The Urban Forestry Fund currently holds $18,875 in operating cash, sufficient to cover the amendment. Because the change increases the city's total budget, it requires two publications in a local newspaper and a public hearing before final approval. Council members also discussed the need for better long-term budget forecasting to avoid similar surprises in the future.
Passenger Rail Membership Renewed
Council renewed the city's $400 annual membership in the Big Sky Passenger Rail Association (BSPRA), which provides regional coordination and a voting voice on passenger rail planning. Council Member JB Howick, a strong advocate for continued participation, noted that stakeholders hold strong confidence that passenger rail will pass through Townsend by the mid-2030s, though whether the train will stop in the city remains uncertain. Howick committed to attending the association's August annual meeting and delivering a formal report to the council afterward.
Telecommunications Ordinance
After months of work, a telecommunications ordinance has been finalized and submitted electronically to City Attorney Ed Guza for review. The 13-page ordinance addresses the city's authority to regulate telecom infrastructure — including wires, fiber optic lines, and conduit — within city limits, and defines the rights granted under the federal telecommunications act. It allows the city to charge providers a nominal fee for operating within city limits and clarifies responsibilities for installation, maintenance, and dispute resolution. Guza will distribute the draft to existing telecom providers with infrastructure in Townsend to solicit feedback before a public hearing is scheduled. Council emphasized the importance of early engagement with affected businesses and transparency throughout the process.
Water System and Public Works Update
Public Works Director Eric Crusch delivered a comprehensive report on city operations. Well 1, the city's largest water producer, is currently offline due to the construction of a new building and associated electrical work nearby. Wells 2 and 3 are currently meeting demand, with daily usage running at approximately 1 million gallons, though peak demand has reached 1.5 million gallons. Crusch emphasized the well itself is in good working order — the outage is construction-related only.
The water tower painting project is on hold, as the coating requires 10 to 14 consecutive dry days to cure properly and recent rain has interrupted the schedule. Tank pressure testing and disinfection have been rescheduled to June 22 to allow time for construction to wrap up and to avoid leaving the tank empty for an extended period.
In other public works news, chip sealing was scheduled for the past week on North Cherry, South Cedar, and Pine streets, with the 100 block of North Cherry receiving special attention due to deteriorated road conditions. The Montana Department of Transportation also plans to repaint crosswalks and street corners along Broadway before the start of the school year.
Animal Control Ordinance in Progress
The council's animal control ordinance committee is working to modernize city rules to address backyard chickens, rabbits, and other small animals not currently covered. The committee reviewed ordinances from Belgrade, Hot Springs, and other Montana municipalities. Belgrade's extensive permitting system was deemed too administratively burdensome for a city of Townsend's size, but smaller-city models offered consistent frameworks for coop standards, rooster restrictions, and modest annual permits.
Public health concerns — including avian flu risk — were weighed against support for educational programs like 4-H and FFA that rely on animal husbandry. A proposal to use GIS mapping to track permitted animals was discussed but raised privacy concerns; the council leaned toward maintaining a non-public internal database for enforcement and emergency response purposes only. The committee also noted that penalty language in earlier drafts will be aligned with existing municipal code standards. A public records request related to feral cat management is currently under legal review before the city responds.
Pool Opening and Upcoming Meetings
The city pool is scheduled to open June 15 with all lifeguards hired and certifications underway. Swim lesson dates are pending confirmation of instructor availability. The pool's liner leak remains an ongoing issue managed through temporary repairs. The council acknowledged that the pool, built in 1965–1966, will eventually require a long-term solution.
