Harrington news

City Council

An energetic but focused 26-year-old Mayor Dillon Haas opened his first city council meeting, the first city council meeting ever to have such a youthful man at the helm in Harrington. Preparations for the meeting included rearranging the seating, with the council members lined up on the far side of the table facing the audience and the new mayor sitting at the west end. The city clerk swore in Justin Slack at City Council Position #3, followed by the swearing in of Haas as mayor, who with a solemn quality to his voice repeated those familiar lines including "faithfully and impartially."

Present at the meeting were councilmen Rick Becker, Mike Cronrath, Levi Schenk, Peter Davenport and Slack. Others present were Bunny Haugan, Scott McGowan, Heather Slack, Carolyn Slack, Turner Slack, Stephen and Rebecca Hardy, Dave Michaelsen, Tim Campou, Dan Fromm, Sharon Schultz, Ashley Schenk, Gordon and Billie Herron, Alan Gay (Stantec engineer), Jacob Montgomery and Dylan Shockley (high school students), Karen Robertson, Crystal Hickman, Donita Simon and Marge Womach.

The mayor made a maintenance report on snow removal, with additions made by McGowan regarding the directionality of the process and the limitations of said removal. Primary attention has always been placed on clearing the hillsides and keeping the main route open, followed by a concentrated effort to remove snow without impeding driveways. A citizen request was made for the city to provide the clearing of driveways for senior citizens. After noting that the city cannot assume such liability, an offer was made by ASB president Jacob Montgomery to approach the school for students to perform this service for community service credits. A number of positive comments were directed to McGowan for his dedication to maintaining the safety of the streets and sidewalks. Simon expressed appreciation for prompt plowing for early departures. Maintaining the integrity of the curbs on sidewalks was also addressed.

A recurring problem with drains at the Memorial Hall was remedied this past week following 6-7 hours of hired labor. Additional problems lie ahead for the city to address over the next several years after roots and corrosion were detected in the pipes.

Gordon Herron of the Harrington Opera House Society's building committee reported on the present construction project of the elevator and interior changes being made to the Bank Block building of which the city hall is an adjoining portion. Don Trail, AIA architect, found a leak in the abutting wall which will be corrected by the construction crew at the expense of the opera house. The elevator is expected to be completed by June. An additional safety feature will be a portable evacuation chair on the old stairway which will be one of the fire exits from the building. Trail is financing this chair in lieu of his architectural fee.

The council discussed an on-going opportunity to apply for a $59,000 grant/loan from the Dept. of Ecology for a study of the water treatment plant to determine the cause of excess water in February and March which threatened the integrity of the lagoon. A vote was taken to forfeit this opportunity at this time, since such action will not affect future chances for similar grant/loan funding. The down-side according to Gay is that the cause is unknown, the situation will likely continue in wet winters and the system could deteriorate. However, up to now the lagoon has not overflowed and no damage has been detected.

The senior meals, serviced by Okanogan County, renewed their lease of the Memorial Hall at $9 per day which covers utilities. The council voted 5-0 to approve it. Mayor Haas had prepared a chart for a potential fee schedule for the Memorial Hall. After acknowledging the time spent on the chart, the council was inclined to view it as over-administrating. Davenport requested that the mayor prepare a new list with current data alongside the proposed fee schedule. The issue was then tabled to the next meeting.

The reciprocal agreement of the Wheatland Libraries was addressed in which patrons in good standing from any of the seven libraries would be eligible to check out books from the other libraries once all the pieces are in place. Failure of some patrons to properly check out books has created time-loss when the books are returned.

The council voted 5-0 to accept Ordinance 491, an amendment to the 2015 budget, which also amends Ordinance 487, an adjustment made to the 2015 budget at last month's meeting.

TIB grant status was discussed. Harrington has received two grants, one for the chip and seal projects and the second to re-do 2nd Street from Sherlock to Adams. The city will post in the Davenport Times and the Lincoln Advertiser the bid for the contract for this work to be done.

Dog licenses and ordinances were reviewed. Mayor Haas stated that he has a list of the non-compliant dog owners for failure to purchase a license last May, but his concern was how cost-effective the ordinances and policies are. The council members were concerned that the policy for the past seven months is setting a poor precedent in that the city is inconsistent in enforcing some of the ordinances. At issue, according to Davenport, is the need for the enforcement of "all" ordinances. Following a lengthy discussion, the council gave a directive to the mayor to start the notification process and return with results by the February meeting.

With other issues including discussion on cemetery fees, fax fees, variance and zoning fees, a digital recorder, the paying of bills, and brief mention of the M&O levy, the first meeting by Mayor Haas began at 7:32 and ended shortly before 10 p.m.

Community events

Harrington Church of the Nazarene provided a free movie on Monday night, January 11, "The War Room". A group of about 15 turned out to view the film on families in crisis that contained functional remedies to avert problems. Doug Perkins of Othello, a retired pastor, will be conducting the Sunday morning worship services through February.

Also Monday evening at the school was the Holiday Celebration concert which had been postponed last month due to winter storms.

Activity at the Hotel Lincoln continues most weekends with a goal of making ready an area for the Rusty Lark.

Harrington Food Market, under its new congenial owners, the Frieses, is continuing to be supported by the community.

Work at the former Harrington Haus has stalled during the winter season; however community interest continues with hopeful anticipation for its eventual opening.

Wednesday evening, January 13, the PTA and the Harrington Homemakers met. Saturday morning, January 16, the Harrington Historic Preservation Commission met at the home of Celeste Miller. Tuesday night, January 19, the Harrington School & Community Forum, an informational meeting on the Maintenance and Operations levy was held. The FFA provided a free taco bar and students provided day-care to encourage greater community participation.