Culbertson Council Covers Future Improvements
The Culbertson Town Council discussed future improvements during its monthly meeting on Monday, June 14.
Due to the absence of Mayor Larry Crowder, council member Abe Rumsey led the meeting. “I’ll let you know now, I won’t run it as smoothly as Mr. Crowder does,” Rumsey said at the start of the meeting.
Regarding the capital improvement plan and growth policy, council members reviewed a priority list of projects to consider during the next 10 years.
The priority list included: fire hall, a new building potential with a dual purpose of a community center; swimming pool bathhouse; Highway 2 water main replacement with MDT project; new turnout gear for fire department; update pagers; crack seal and chip sealing on the west side; road patch and overlay four blocks on the east side; yearly valve and hydrant upgrade program, three values and two hydrants per year; increased sheriff visibility in Culbertson; improvements to Third Street West from Fourth Avenue West to Third Avenue West, old lines; water plant sale or lease; community center; town hall, minor maintenance needs; new building at airport; maintenance building pole barn, needs heat and concrete floor; storm water improvements on First Avenue West, football field; update to swimming pool playground; Third Avenue East (truck route) improvements; remove wading pool and add splash pad at swimming pool; bike path on Highway 2; Park and Trails master plan; and sidewalk projects throughout town.
The council plans to approve the capital improvement plan at its July meeting.
Officials said that the Montana Department of Transportation hopes to have final construction plans for the Highway 2 project by the end of this year. Funding for the project probably won’t be available until 2023.
Public Works Director Bob Jasper said a few youngsters have been trying to swim at Ike’s Pond. Jasper called the sheriff’s office once about the problem. A “no swimming” sign was also removed.
Council member Dave Solem said, “Hopefully now with the pool open, it will stop.”
Chip sealing is scheduled at the Big Sky Airport for this summer. Tentative plans are being worked on for a new building at the airport.
Officials are waiting to hear information regarding a grant for a new bathhouse and a splash pad at the swimming pool. Applying for possible COVID related and tourism grants was discussed.
