By Martin J. Kidston
The Havre City Council gathered Monday night to discuss several housing and zoning changes and to reassign members of the Havre Fire Department.
As Havre Fire Chief Michael Badgley retires at the end of the month, an opening will need to be filled within the department, Badgley told the council. Consequently, Badgley requested that Joel Lamphier be appointed to the department as soon as he fulfills the necessary qualifications. The council agreed and passed the request.
Mayor Phyllis Leonard then announced her proposed nomination of Havres new Fire Chief, Craig Ellingson, who will replace Badgley.
The council supported the nomination with a unanimous vote and moved to appoint Dave Sheppard as the citys new Assistant Fire Chief.
In other business, Project 74, a first-time home-buyers assistance loan, was approved for the amount of $3,460. A separate project, Project 38, was passed by the council to write off a loan given under the First Time Home Buyers Assistance Program. The amount of the write-off was $2,060.
Project 38, a home-buyers assistance project, was in the process of a trustee sale, Leonard said. The proceeds were insufficient to pay off the mortgage and the citys lien.
The First Time Home Buyers Assistance Program is a government funded program to help low-income families purchase their first home. It also helps renovate areas generally considered to be occupied by low income residents by creating the number of owner occupied homes versus homes occupied by renters.
The Council Finance Committee reported that two bids have been received for the Havre-Hill County Wireless Data System. However, neither bid was received on time and the committee, after review, discovered it has the right to wave such irregularities. The council was given the right to act when an acceptable bid was received. The mayor will have the power to sign the contract.
The council asked that Parks and Recreation Director Dave Wilson remind the Youth Hockey League that the code variance on the hockey facility will expire on Sept. 4. If the variance is not updated by that date, the league could loose the use of the ice.
The Ordinance Committee approved a request from Kitty Keepers to take in adoptable cats from the city pound.
On Aug. 28, the fire department will block off a portion of Fifth Avenue to establish a temporary toll booth in order to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On Sept. 5, the 1200 block of Lincoln will be blocked off for a block party beginning at 11 a.m., lasting until it is over.
