Council prioritizes three goals

Moorcroft’s council came together in a four hour workshop Saturday morning to discuss progress of the large projects with which the town is currently dealing, including the lagoon upgrade, landfill development and the last phase of the Powder River Water Project. The group also prioritized smaller projects that are realistically within the budget of the town with the incoming one percent sales tax return that’s expected in May.

These smaller efforts were of a more intimate interest to the governing body as they will endeavor to make the town more visually appealing and bolster Moorcroft’s self-esteem.

Councilman Paul Smoot spoke to this concept: “We need to be looking at…our projects that are focused towards anything that’s going to enhance our [town]. Is there something we can do that is going to add to that?”

With some discussion over logistics, the council, as a whole, put moving town hall, public works and the police department into the MTC building as the first priority this year. The group hopes to begin construction around June or July, according to Mayor Dick Claar.

The second priority is the Moorcroft Cemetery. Councilman Ben Glenn spoke at length about the long overlooked project of mapping the area: “I think mapping the cemetery would be of huge benefit to us and everybody involved with that cemetery and its organization. We have got to get a better system than what we have now.”

According to HDRs Heath Turbiville, the current layout and plotting of the Moorcroft Cemetery is not filed with the Crook County Courthouse; the area must be platted correctly before it can be formally filed.

Creating a more aesthetically pleasing and practical front gate was also discussed. The current gate, which was built in 1974, is no longer of a height or width to accommodate the heavy machinery coming through and the writing is not noticeable to passers-by.

Glenn shared with his fellows the idea of turning this entrance into a walk, allowing visitors an option of a stroll through the tranquil setting to stop by a loved one’s grave while installing a new drive nearby.

The third and final priority will be a splash pad at Noonan Park. Glenn strongly advocated the installation of this playground water feature, saying, “I’m hugely onboard with a splash pad. I thing we have to give our youth something to do in the town.”