Beulah Beacon News
Water ordinance moves forward
A new ordinance that deals with water and wastewater in the city inched forward Monday night (Dec. 2) after brief discussion by the Beulah City Council.
Plans heard for changes at Dakota Westmoreland
Last week Mercer County zoning commissioners heard plans from one of the oldest operating mines in the area, and the newest.
Copper tubing stolen over weekend
Sometime in the early hours of this past weekend, thieves broke the copper tubing off of two propane tanks behind Bronson’s Marketplace and vanished into the night.
Crossfit finds approval on variance request
Aprogram that focuses on core strength and fitness has received the go-ahead from Beulah’s City Council to temporarily occupy a building until its own structure is built.
Variance recommended for Roughrider Crossfit
A business focused on physical fitness and well-being passed the first step toward moving to a new location within Beulah last week.
Commission hears plans from Coyote Creek
Ordinance passes first reading
A water and wastewater ordinance is moving forward after Beulah City councilors held the first reading Monday night. Multiple revisions were brought up during the meeting, which will be applied to the ordinance for the second reading. In its draft form, the 13-page ordinance seeks to provide an overall update to the city water/wastewater ordinance, including water works systems, applications, rates and how and when water could be disconnected or discontinued to a location. After formally opening up the reading for discussion, the council dived into the topic. Councilors Roger Gazur and Clyde Schulz offered the most questions for the ordinance, highlighting old language they felt needed updating. Gazur focused first on installation and access, noting that there should be some rules that should govern each topic, before applying similar argument to further language. “What is a claim for defective service?” Gazur asked. “Insufficient water flow, insufficient water pressure, no water at all, all of the above?” He then moved on to ask about clarifying the language in sections regarding when water meters would be checked and how often, water/wastewater funding and fines. City Attorney Scott Solem stated that some of the fines that were listed dated back four decades. “There was a $5 fine for someone who breaks a seal in a water meter,” Solem said. “Five dollars isn’t going to discourage anybody. There’s a $1.50 fine in here for something. We should take a look at the application fees, the deposits and the various fines. Brant (Keller) updated the rates, but other than that the most recent language is from the mid-1970s.”
Get out your winter safety kit
Cold weather is creeping back into the state, and a recent presidential emergency declaration for southwest North Dakota is a stark reminder that winter is coming. Mercer County Emergency Manager Carmen Reed is aiming to remind residents of the importance of being prepared for severe winter weather, and just how to go about it. According to Reed, now was the time to get those winter safety kits checked and placed into vehicles.
