Pine Haven set to decide ARPA funding

At a busy meeting on Tuesday, the Pine Haven Town Council heard that it will soon be able to ascertain whether the added matching funds put forth for the ARPA grant will put the town "in the cut", according to mayor Karla Brandenburg. The meetings in Cheyenne will be February 27 and 28, 8 a.m. until noon and the information will subsequently be available the next week.

"Hopefully, our extra money will help," Brandenburg advised residents attending Tuesday night's meeting.

"There is a possibility there will be more ARPA funds available following this round," HDR Engineering's Heath Turbiville stated via letter. The mayor noted that, because the present work for which the town is applying may fit that round better than this, "That will help us a little bit because ours is more water and sewer and infrastructure."

Public works

TJ Gideon is currently acting director of Pine Haven's Public Works and Dwight Dierking is working part time as crewman. Mayor Karla Brandenburg commended their efforts, saying, "They're actually doing a pretty good job."

She shared with the room that the town has received four applications (as of last Tuesday night) and interviewed these applicants recently, fully intending to hire one or "maybe two". Brandenburg asked residents, as the snow keeps falling, "Please be patient with us."

Councilwoman Emily Smith opined that those showing interest, "are all good applicants".

Fire Protection

Gideon, who is also the fire chief, has invited Jeremy Dedic from Wyoming State Forestry to offer a public presentation on how to create a defensible area around the home to better protect property and lives from the ravages of wild fire.

"I really hope we get a good turnout for this because to get him here was tough, he's a busy guy," he said.

Dietrich will be in Pine Haven on Thursday, March 9, starting at 5 p.m. with a social hour, and the presentation will begin at 6 p.m. at the community Center.