City Council approves bulk water station repairs

Editor’s note: This version corrects the spelling of the name of Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shelli Sayers.

Havre City Council at its meeting Monday approved shifting funds to repair the city Bulk Water Station and to close roads in the city limits fo the upcoming Annual Art Alley Celebration and Bear Paw Marathon.

The council also approved applying for a grant to plan for a potential special improvement district to fix roads, curbs and gutter, water and storm drainage on the south end of town.

They also agreed to help look at possibly setting up a tax increment finance district to help revitalize downtown Havre.

Watch for more on those discussions in upcoming editions of Havre Daily News.

The city added a new payment system for the bulk water station in 2022, allowing use of prepaid cards and credit and debit cards to purchase water.

Last August, problems arose with the payment system and it shut down until repaired, then the system broke down again in September and has been shut down ever since.

The city has offered people the chance to buy bulk water from the city shop in the interim.

The council approved Monday transferring $18,000 from the replacement and depreciation account to the city water fund to replace the system.

Public Works Director Trevor Mork said he hopes the repairs to be complete in four to six weeks and the station will again be operational. He said it should make several improvements.

"To make it more user-friendly and more effective and accurate as far as the customer purchasing a set amount of water," he said.

He said the meter should be accurate within five percent, plus or minus, so someone purchasing 100 gallons of water should get between 95 and 105 gallons.

Mork said the charge for purchasing water will remain the same.

The board also approved a request from the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, presented by Chamber Executive Director Shelli Sayers, to close roads for the annual Bear Paw Marathon, set for June 1.

The council approved closing Bailey Road to 14th Street West to Ford Ave to 13th Street West to College Road June 1.

The letter the Chamber sent to the Council said the closure was requested primarily for safety concerns. Volunteers will be at the intersections to ensure everyone's safety and police presence would help ensure safety, the letter said.

Two or three water stations also will be set up with volunteers providing water and helping ensure safety.

The letter added that the race safety committee, headed up by Sayer, will coordinate with city and county officials on all aspects of the route and provide updates on any changes if and when they occur.

The Council also approved a Hill-Line Arts Council request to close the alley from Third and Fourth avenues between Second and Third streets - Havre's Art Alley - and Fourth Avenue between Second and Third streets Saturday, May 11 for the annual Spring Art Alley Celebration.

Bear Paw Development Corp. Executive Director Paul Tuss, a member of the arts council, presented the request to the council Monday.

Tuss, a Democratic state representative from Havre, is running for re-election and faces a challenge from the man he defeated for the seat two years ago, Ed Hill of Havre, the former Republican representative for the district.

Tuss said the event will be child-friendly and offer artists a chance to show and sell their wares as well as having live music.

"We've already had two or three bands scheduled to show up and play for this event," he said.

Tuss said the council will be using the nonprofit beer and wine license of Montana Actors' Theatre to sell beverages at the celebration, adding that it is on the street housing Crawford Distillery, so libations can be purchased there as well. He said the group will ensure all rules and regulations concerning the official area where alcohol can be sold.

He said the event also will again feature wall art, offering a chance for children and adult artists to create works on the wall of the alley.