Westport Town Council met on Monday.
The council discussed the cemetery budget and rates. Both the current budget and the ideal budget for the cemetery were presented to the council. The ideal budget was based off of how and when to replace the equipment used to maintain the cemetery and the budget should operate on its own. They have been in the red for the past 7 years, with the last two years only being out of red due to COVID. They currently have no funding for extra grave maintenance, unforeseen repairs, or tree maintenance. The new price for a single grave to be ideal for the budget would be $600 which is in line with the surrounding areas. However increasing a plot to $300-$400 would be a stepping stone to that goal as would raising the opening and closing prices. This was tabled for a public hearing at next months town council meeting where the public can make their comments.
There was a request to hire a capital assets specialist. The state board of accounts requires them to have a capital assets list and they need a specialist to have this be properly put together. It would cost $6,000 for the company that did their audit to send a specialist for all 3 departments needed. The clerk would like to do further research on pricing. This was approved.
There was a discussion on dam safety. The dam is a low head dan which according to the DNR makes it unsafe to be there and to launch boats there as well.
There were several budget line items presented for next year. One was to update the towns website for $3,000 to be more secure and up to date. This was approved. Another was for paving the town hall lot for $45,000 and the water plant for $28,000. Both were approved.
There is an animal ordinance being written to keep both the residents and animals of westport safe and healthy.
Morgan Schofield
WTRE News
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