SUBLETTE COUNTY – The Marbleton Town Council heard a timely request right after Veterans Day, at its Nov. 13 meeting.

Mayor Jim Robinson told councilmembers Jeff McCormick, Roger McMannis, BJ Meador and Karen Wenz that he attended the special Veterans Day luncheon and Veterans Room dedication at the Southwest Sublette Pioneers Senior Center in Marbleton on Nov. 10.

There, he conversed with American Legion Dee Fox Post 78 Comm. Mack Rawhouser about the possibility of a special place set aside for veterans near the town park’s Encana Shelter. The mayor said they talked about possibly setting a large piece of military equipment. It could be a place where veterans could gather for observances and ceremonies in town rather than driving to the Big Piney Cemetery in adverse weather.

Robinson asked the council for thoughts on dedicating a space, perhaps 25 by 25 feet, near the Encana shelter.

“I suggest the town go ahead and be proactive and give a space for them,” he said. “It would be a great gesture.”

Although the American Legion does not yet have a tank or large piece of equipment, installing a flat concrete pad could be done at any time, the council agreed.

McMannis asked if a 25- by 25-foot space would be large enough. “It’s a perfect spot.”

Robinson said he just grabbed numbers – “Smaller or bigger is okay. That’s all I’m asking for tonight.”

McCormick asked if the Legion needed flags.

“They have flags and suggested the shelter,” the mayor said.

McMannis crafted a motion to set aside an area by the Encana Shelter “for future military hardware (or) a veterans’ monument” on a 25-by-25 space “and more if needed.” The council approved the motion, 5-0.

Justice Center

South county citizens attended the county’s Justice proposed Center committee meeting on Oct. 27 to suggest a location in Big Piney or Marbleton. At the council meeting, the mayor asked Sublette County Sheriff KC Lehr about it.

“There’s lots of talk about the new Justice Center,” Robinson said. “We offered the possibility to put it down here, maybe at the (county-owned) ballfields across from the fairgrounds. I just want to bring up here tonight, even if it’s not down here, we want to be part of the team.”

Lehr said the next step is determining administrative, judicial and law enforcement’s square-footage “space needs.”

The committee would be open to considering the unused site across from the fairgrounds, Lehr said. Sublette County commissioners recently approved a $10,000 study by facility planning contractor Reilly Johnson Architects, who initially reviewed sites in Pinedale.

Fall into winter

Robinson told the council and employees that he heard rave reviews about the town’s recent Jack-o-Lantern Jamboree, ”Marbleton’s chili feed” and pie contests for the public on Oct. 27.

“It was a heck of a turnout – thanks again,” he said. “People were very appreciative.”

Town staff also delivered food donations for Bank of Jackson Hole’s Thanksgiving food drive that was greatly appreciated,” Robinson said.

Flicks N Pins manager Mike Orham related two successful and busy weekends of bowling tournaments, with participants watching movies and dining there. He said several local hotels “stepped up” with special lodging rates for those and future weekend tournaments.

The council renewed life flight insurance for Marbleton employees and volunteer board members. It also approved sending a

Sam Bixler reported that he will request a $6,500 Rocky Mountain Power Foundation grant for the community fishing pond building’s heater.

Public works manager Todd Brown reported that snowplows are installed and employees are doing a lot of cross-training online with other towns. They set up two temporary stop signs at problem intersections.

“We are ready with sand and sanders and all those things?” Robinson asked.

Last winter, Marbleton and Big Piney experienced more and earlier snow than usual.]

Brown said everything is ready to go.

“Keep the water running so pipes don’t freeze,” Robinson advised.

Consensus

The council approved third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2023-03, Zone Change Fee to be Set by Resolution.

It also heard about a garage at 115 Appaloosa that encroaches by 1 foot into the town’s alley and agreed to send the owner a letter “not to tear it down but to be aware.”

Town attorney Thayne Peterson said the letter would inform the owners “that we know about it and we know it’s not in compliance.

Peterson also addressed a notice from Sublette County that the town has money – $64,610 – from 2015-2016 in a consensus fund account, originally for wastewater system repairs and upgrades. Peterson said Marbleton could ask the other towns if the money can be reallocated.

“It might help if our opportunity is in the same range; go back and say we have a shovel-ready project.”

At the time eight years ago, Pinedale and Big Piney had water and sewer line issues, Robinson said. “Marbleton took a back seat to put the money where it was more critical. I think we should apply for it.”

The council voted, 5-0, to “chase it.”