I recently had a chat with the County Commissioners, Bob Pancratz, Mike Goffena, and Michael Turley. The following are some of the current events.
Homes on the Range - The low-income housing has long needed a remodel, and has become almost beyond repair. One apartment is so bad that it has not been able to be rented for years, leaving it unavailable for local housing. The commissioners state that due to asbestos, a poor and shifted foundation, and many other structural problems, the hope is for a new building all together. The county does not feel that remodeling would be cost effective. They also hope that it will be an opportunity to expand the housing capacity, as that is needed. Snowy Mountain Development is taking the lead and looking at getting a grant to fund a preliminary architectural report which would be necessary to show that the old building has out used its life and that a new building is in order. The county has access for funds to tear down building with asbestos. There are currently 49 residents at Homes on the Range, and it is full all of the time. There are many more people in Musselshell County who would qualify for low-income housing if it were available.
Fair Grounds - The commissioners tell us that they are about to break ground to put in the new water stations, and update RV spots at the Fair Grounds. There are currently 24 power pedestals. The commissioners are hoping the updates will attract more people to our events, and are hoping to charge for the camping sites.
Signal Peak - Signal Peak Mine is trying, with the help of Musselshell County Commissioners, to negotiate a Coal Trade with the Crow Reservation. This trade is CRITICAL for Signal Peak, and therefore the wellbeing of Musselshell County, and the state of Montana. The employment and tax impact of the mine industry to Montana cannot be understated. The commissioners have written a letter to John Tester in hopes that he gives this some attention. Signal Peak Mine is working to get a permit from the DEQ that would give them another 1000 acres of mining, if they do not get the permit, they will be out of coal to mine in September of this year according to commissioner Pancratz. If they can acquire the permit, it buys them a year, however, if the coal swap doesn’t happen with the reservation, there could be an end to Signal Peak mining. The state stands to lose 150 million dollars in taxes if the mine is unable to move forward. This should concern all Montanans.
Weir Furniture Building -The county is likely to acquire the Weir building, and if so, they are planning to repair and restore the building once it becomes county property. The county will need to mitigate the asbestos, hazardous waste, and make it structurally sound. It then would be attractive for a developer to buy it. The building has been for sale for a long time, however, the restoration on top of the purchase has not penciled out for prospectors. They do not have access to the abatement funds that the county can get. If the county can get the funding for the restoration, the county could then hope to turn a profit from the building, and keep one of Roundups original Main Street Structures from being torn down.
County Attorney Adam Larson is to become the new Judge for Musselshell County with the retirement of Judge Spaulding. There currently is no candidate for county attorney’s replacement.
Musselshell County Drone is newly acquired from a Signal Peak grant, and is going to be used by all emergency departments in Musselshell County. They are currently training several people to pilot the drone, as there are FAA and legal requirements involved. The drone is equipped with infrared, to help find hot spots during fire season, or help with search and rescue.
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