Fair board talks about Chuckwagon, internet, hail insurance

Members of the Great Northern Fair Board discussed construction issues relating to the incoming Chuckwagon, internet provider options and long-awaited incoming insurance money during Tuesday evening’s meeting at the Community Center on the fairgrounds.

Bob Kaul told the board it needs to capitalize on the construction of a new 4-H Chuckwagon and use the opportunity to improve the water drainage system during the public comment portion of the meeting.

The Montana State University-Northern engineering department did a survey last year of the fairgrounds, and part of that study included ways to improve the drainage system. Kaul said that if certain advice by the report is heeded, the opportunity to improve the drainage issues on the fairgrounds will not be missed. He urged the board to heed the survey’s advice and do things like grate the area and take other steps where the new Chuckwagon is to be built to prevent problems with water drainage.

Board member Tyler Smith said people on the board are aware of the report, adding that it doesn’t take into consideration certain important construction aspects. Also, Smith said, tearing up asphalt and doing the kind of work cited in the report is also unrealistic because of what it would cost as well as the construction delay it would cause.

Fairgrounds manager Dave Brewer told board members to consider looking for another telephone and internet provider. He said service was lost Monday for some time, again.

“We seriously need to look around — they go down all the time,” Brewer told board members.

Brewer said after the meeting that Century Link goes down “more often than it should.” Brewer added that one of his ideas for the fairgrounds includes hooking up wifi so people staying or visiting the fairgrounds can have access to internet.

The board discussed the insurance claim from damage caused by a July 4, 2015, hail storm, saying the claim is still being worked out. The claim has gone through several adjustments since and now it sits at the commissioner’s table, waiting for approval, fair board Chair Paul McCann said.

Other subjects discussed included the house on the grounds which is about ready to be rented, as Brewer has finished the repairs. Scott Doney said the rent will be $800 a month plus utilities.

Events coming up at the fair grounds include the college rodeo this weekend, followed by the high school the next weekend.

Members voted to pass a media policy, which designates the board chair, McCann, as the spokesperson for the board and the vice chair, Smith, as the next in line when McCann is not available.

One goal of the policy is to have a unified message to media.

The next fair board meeting will happen Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m.  in the Timmons Room of the Hill County Courthouse.