Library movement discussions continue; emergency shutdown plans discussed

WORLAND – The Washakie County Commissioners met on Tuesday to discuss the costs and floor plan once again regarding a future move for the Washakie County Llibrary in to the Kennedy’s Ace Hardware building.

The costs that were presented and estimated are rough estimates, but are currently above the asking price that the commissioners are looking for in order for the project to move forward.

As of right now there is no official final design or cost lined up, and the attempts to bring the total cost including the purchase of the building to around $1 million to stay within the budget for the building and possibly set in motion a time table for the moving of the library and Ace into their respective buildings.

Another major item of discussion from the meeting was what would happen if the courthouse building were to close in a scenario similar to the courthouse in Big Horn County.

According to a press release from the Big Horn County commissioners, on Thursday, Aug. 8, the Big Horn County Commission was alerted to a possible asbestos exposure as a result of construction activities in the building. In an abundance of caution the elected officials closed the courthouse until proper testing could be conducted. The courthouse is anticipated to re-open next Monday. 

The discussion focused more towards the courthouse moving operations to the Washakie County Fairgrounds, and what would be needed in order to ensure that a backed up server would be available at the fairgrounds for work to continue. Each individual department was then asked to determine what they would need in order to function if a worst-case scenario were to happen and the courthouse were to be closed.

UPDATES

An advertisement for a job to help in the Building Maintenance department under Tom Schmeltzer will be put out and all applicants should get their paperwork in before 5 p.m. on Sept. 11 to be considered.

New grass will also be planted in between the north arena fence and the pig lots at the fairgrounds, as it used to be a grassy area but has since been enveloped by weeds.

Amanda Heinemeyer, Public Health nurse manager, requested that public health be allowed to purchase a new autoclave, in order to sterilize instruments safer.