Feasibility study begins for MTC

A quorum of three sat to conduct town business and hear concerns and issues brought before them by guests Monday night.

MTC study

Rural Community Consultants, the company hired to conduct the feasibility study for the Moorcroft Town Center (MTC), has provided survey sheets at town hall for citizens to give their opinion about the facility. People may pick up the paper and follow the address to complete the survey online. Representatives of the consultant group will meet with town officials on July 17, at 5 p.m. to discuss the process. They will also attend Jubilee and the museum to hand out the survey invitations.

Staying up late

Deere Haven Liquor and Lounge owner Mandy Gideon asked council for a decision regarding the town bars remaining open until 2 a. m. on Sundays as they do the rest of the week. After speaking previously to the liquor establishments in town, Moorcroft Mayor Pro-tem Ben Glenn advised his fellows of their agreement with adjusting this time.

Until the town’s ordinance can be amended, the governing body approved a variance allowing this time change on Sundays for all licensed liquor establishments in Moorcroft.

Tobacco and kids

Crook County Public Health Prevention Specialist Katie Allen spoke to the body and audience about programs offered to county residents.

Allen reported that “vaping” and alcohol consumption are on the rise among kids in Crook County to the tune of 1000% among high school teens and 400% among middle school youth (sixth through eighth graders) between 2019 and 2020 nationwide.

This communication is part of the Be Well Coalition to facilitate prevention with information and practical assistance for those who want to quit tobacco, including vaping, chewing and regular cigarettes. Adults may call 1-800-784-8669and teens can text “Start my quit” to 36072.

She asked that the town put signs, provided by the coalition in the municipal parks to make vaping in these areas illegal.

While council appreciated the issue, Moorcroft currently has no ordinance governing this matter so the body was able only to take the situation under advisement at this time.

Finishing up the lagoon

With the near completion of the electrical network and the improved fencing of the site, HDR Engineering’s Jeron Smith reported the instruction of personnel as the last step on the upgrade of the municipal sewage treatment facility west of town.

The public works personnel will be trained on the equipment and operations of the lagoon the third week of July and the training will be videotaped to show to any future personnel as well.