Bitterroot Star - November 3, 2021

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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent

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On a roll

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Darby disc golf course removed from ‘no man’s land’ for now by Michael Howell

Florence’s Pat Duchien with a QB keeper all the way to the endzone. The Florence Falcon football team shut out Cut Bank in the first round of the Class B playoffs. They will meet the Columbus Cougars on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Florence. The Class A Hamilton Broncs will play Miles City in first round action on Saturday, November 6 at 1 p.m. in Hamilton. Photo by Stephanie K. Geiser Photography.

‘Existing Conditions’ report first step toward new Hamilton Growth Policy by Nathan Boddy The City of Hamilton recently unveiled an important first product in its efforts to complete a new Growth Policy by mid-2022. That first milestone is the Existing Conditions report, which is available for download on the website, www.envisionhamilton.com. The Existing Conditions report is the summary of a fact finding mission that began last summer and involved numerous interviews, online questionnaires, and workshops. Residents were asked a wide variety of questions ranging from what they like about Hamilton to which opportunities residents feel the city should focus on in the future. The three

biggest themes that emerged from the study are: being proactive to growth, maintaining a smalltown character, and strengthening self-reliance and resilience. The first of those themes was shown to be foremost on people’s minds. According to the report, Hamilton’s population is anticipated to increase 17% over the next decade, adding a potential 900 new faces to town. This growth, which has been in high gear since the COVID-19 pandemic shook many people free of their moorings in locations outside of Montana, has meant a serious housing shortage for Hamilton. Matthew Rohrbach, City Planner for Hamilton, See HAMILTON, page 6

Local business steps up for Imagination Library by Victoria Howell A2Z Personnel has launched a campaign to help Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the Bitterroot Valley. Imagination Library is a program that was started by beloved country music icon Dolly Parton which provides a free book every month to participating children between the ages of 0 to 5. The program costs $25 per child to run

and Jaime Devlin, owner of A2Z Personnel, has come up with ideas to raise money for what she considers a great cause. Devlin’s goal is to raise $20,000 for Imagination Library by December 31. She has challenged other businesses to donate and has made a commitment to match all donations up to $5,000. Individuals are also encouraged to donate. Checks can be made out to

Sapphire Community Health, the non-profit sponsor for the Imagination Library. Put “DPIL” in the memo and mail to: A2Z Personnel, 186 S. 3rd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 or call Liz at 406-880-2007 with any questions. Donations are tax-deductible. A2Z Personnel is also sponsoring the Parade of Trees, a live and online auction of See IMAGINATION, page 6

Last week a Supervisor for the Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) and associates, along with a Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) biologist, a Ravalli County Flood Plain Administrator, a couple of Darby Town Council members and a few disc golfers, among others, convened just on the edge of Darby in what would become referred to as the “no man’s land” between the Town’s declared limits and the river. They were there to consider possibly issuing a 124 Permit or a 310 Permit “after the fact.” Members of a local disc golf league had, with the former mayor’s approval, installed a disc golf course on what they thought was the Town’s property. The application they submitted to the Conservation District for a permit, however, had the Town of Darby as the applicant. The disc golfers said the town had approved the course and it was on their property. They also claimed to have been directed by the town to install the course. At least one council member disagreed, saying that the mayor had no authority to approve anything like this, nor did the council president, without council approval. That raised an issue. If it was the disc golfers who were seeking a permit, they would go to the Conservation District for a 310 Permit. If it is the Town of Darby seeking a permit, technically, they should go to FWP and seek a 124 Permit. As BCD Supervisor Bob Nelson, put it, “We work for the taxpayer, the landowner. Tax spenders, like municipalities, need to get a 124 See DARBY, page 4

Flu and COVID-19 shots available from Public Health Ravalli County Public Health has begun giving Flu vaccine as well as COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. Recommendations for administering the COVID-19 vaccine booster shots were made available to Public Health by Montana Department of Health and Human Services. For individuals who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster at 6 months or more after their initial series: • 65 years and older • Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings • Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions • Age 18+ who work

or live in high-risk settings Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine booster may be given at least 2 months after primary vaccination with the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, to individuals 18 years of age and older. Receiving a booster of the same primary vaccine is not required, meaning individuals may choose which approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine they’d like to receive as a booster. Vaccine is available at Public Health on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are preferred; however, See SHOTS, page 6

Stevi to apply for ARPA funds to fix water problems by Victoria Howell At its October 28 meeting, the Stevensville Town Council decided to approve revisions to the Preliminary Engineering Report on the Town’s water system and to apply for an American Rescue Plan Act grant to fund improvements to the system. Craig Caprara, of HDR Engineering, presented a revised

Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) on proposed water system improvements. The PER was first presented to the town council in June. At that time, a grant application to fund the improvements was submitted through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) but was not successful. Caprara told the council that the state awarded $125 million in

Round #1 competitive grant money, but most water system projects did not get funded. “If you didn’t have serious health and safety problems, you did not get ranked,” said Caprara. “The good news is that Stevensville doesn’t have issues like that.” The Stevensville application ranked 83. The top 75 in ranking were funded. Now Round #2 of the competitive grants, another $125 million, is open

for applications through January 14 and the Town could reapply, said Caprara. Caprara said that after presenting the first draft of the PER in June, the Town received a lot of public comment. He said people wanted more emphasis on resolving the significant leaks in the Town’s water See STEVI, page 5


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