Townsend City Council Meeting - 8/18/2026
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter
Article Published: 08/28/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 08Rachael Brug
Staff Reporter
Pet Pantry, Pickleball Court, and Permanent School Drop-off Lane Approved by Council
Community initiatives expand recreation and pet resources; permanent street closure allows safer student arrivals at elementary school
The Townsend City Council approved three community-focused initiatives during its August 18th meeting, expanding access to pet supplies, recreational opportunities, and school safety measures while streamlining administrative processes for special events.
Mayor Vickie Rauser presided over the meeting, which was attended by council members and city staff including City Clerk and Treasurer Kari Williams, City Attorney Ed Guza, and Public Works Director Eric Crusch.
Donated Fire Department Vehicle Accepted:
The council unanimously approved Resolution No. R02-2026, accepting a donated vehicle from the Broadwater County Sheriff's Department for use by the Townsend City Fire Department and volunteer firefighters. The resolution authorizes Mayor Rauser to execute title transfer, registration, insurance, and related documentation. Prior to operational use, the city will obtain title in its name, remove or return county license plates and registration, confirm insurance coverage, and authorize any necessary equipment modifications or decommissioning of law enforcement equipment.
Pet Pantry Coming to Holloway Park:
Georgia Wilde, a former animal control officer and current veterinary clinic employee, received council approval to establish a pet pantry at Holloway Park. The project addresses community animal welfare by providing accessible supplies to residents who need temporary assistance keeping their animals contained and tagged.
Wilde explained that the pet pantry will operate as a "leave what you need, take what you don't" resource, stocked with items such as collars, leashes, harnesses, and tie-outs. The pantry will occupy a small "little library" box approximately 4.5 feet tall and will be monitored weekly or bi-weekly by Wilde and volunteers to ensure it remains clean and safely stocked.
The council initially considered placing the pantry at McCarthy Park, but City Council Member Peter Simon raised concerns about the park's potential designation as a dog-free zone to support athletic activities. Ultimately, council agreed that Holloway Park offered better placement, with the box located near the pavilion area away from soccer fields. Wilde noted that the location works well because a co-worker living nearby can assist with maintenance.
Wilde indicated that while the pantry will not stock pet food initially, she and her veterinary colleagues can provide referrals for residents struggling to feed their pets, connecting them with community resources including the food pantry and local veterinary clinics. Council requested that Wilde return in two months to report on the pantry's use, benefits, and any challenges experienced.
"I really do support you. I just heard different things about maybe making McCarthy Park a dog-free zone," Simon said, framing his concerns as feedback he'd received rather than personal opposition. "I completely agree with you," responded Director Crusch regarding the project's merits.
Second Pickleball Court Approved at Tennis Courts:
The council approved Jeff Langlinais's request to paint pickleball court lines on a second tennis court at McCarthey Park (referred to variously as "Court Park" during discussion). The project follows the successful addition of pickleball lines to one court in recent years. Langlinais will measure, mark, and paint the lines himself, and Public Works Director Crusch confirmed that the city has paint available for the project.
Council discussion initially centered on potential conflicts with the established tennis program. Peter Simon expressed concern about whether additional pickleball lines might limit tennis court availability, noting that the existing lines on the first court already create visual complexity for tennis players who must navigate both sets of markings.
However, council members and community members affirmed support for the project. One resident thanked Langlinais for the professional quality of the existing pickleball lines, and a council member noted that the former tennis coach—whom she had texted—was enthusiastically supportive of adding another court due to increased pickleball demand.
Permanent Street Closure for Elementary School Drop-Off Approved:
Townsend Elementary School Principal Steve Cook received approval to make permanent the temporary closure of North Pine Street for student drop-offs during the school year. The closure, which has operated successfully for two years, runs from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on school days and has "increased safety there tremendously," according to Cook.
The closure directs parents to drop students at the playground area rather than at the school entrance, consolidating traffic and reducing congestion once buses arrive. Cook noted that the practice was well-established and working effectively, eliminating the need for annual council approval.
Council Member JB Howick suggested shifting the approval from an annual cycle to a five-year cycle, but Cook indicated that annual requests were not burdensome and would allow for flexibility if traffic patterns changed. The council instead voted to make the closure permanent, with an amendment specifying that it would remain in effect "in perpetuity or until such time as traffic patterns change."
Homecoming Parade Approved with Insurance Clarification:
Townsend High School Principal Sheri Heavrin received council approval for a street closure to accommodate the homecoming parade on September 25th, 2026, starting at 2:30 p.m. The parade will travel down Broadway, loop around the block, and return to the school, following the same route and format used in previous years.
The council noted a discrepancy in the submitted certificate of liability insurance, which listed "Central Electric" as the insured entity rather than the school district. Heavrin clarified that the error was administrative and would be corrected.
Discussion touched on school scheduling flexibility. Heavrin explained that homecoming dates are not chosen by the school but are determined by the Montana High School Association's football schedule, which sets the dates for the entire state. The school can only select which weeks work best given its limited number of home games.
One council member raised a procedural question about event applications submitted without firm dates, noting that the current ordinance requires 60-day advance notice. City Attorney Guza suggested that applications from schools might warrant an exception to accommodate circumstances beyond their control. This discussion was noted for future consideration.
Eagle Beverage Event Approved:
The council approved a street closure request from Eagle Beverage of Helena for a promotional event featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales on September 15th, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will see the horses proceed down Broadway from Front Street to Cedar Street, then loop back to park in an empty lot for public viewing. Eagle Beverage has already obtained state approval for the highway closure and provided required certificates of insurance.
Tax Levy and Budget Resolutions Approved:
City Clerk Williams presented the determination of tax revenue and mill levy valuations for fiscal year 2026-2027. The calculations showed a total market value of taxable property in Townsend of approximately $292.9 million. The city established a maximum levy of 62.57 mills, which could generate $214,641 in property taxes. However, council approved a levy of 54.87 mills for the general and fire funds, generating $188,227 and leaving 7.70 mills to carry forward to the next fiscal year.
Williams noted that the city does not have large individual taxpayers, so it did not establish a reserve fund under new provisions authorized by the state legislature. She also highlighted the city's flexibility to increase the fire department budget in future years if council deemed it necessary.
Following approval of the mill levy, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-R03, formally approving and adopting the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget as amended and finalized by council.
Fire Department Updates and Parade Safety Concerns:
Fire Chief Andrew provided updates on departmental activities and raised safety concerns regarding parade protocols. He highlighted the work of Mason, a new firefighter who spent three hours at the county rodeo raising $410 for a family that lost a child. Mason also replaced a door that had been cut to free someone from a room, demonstrating his initiative and willingness to tackle additional responsibilities.
The fire chief identified parade safety issues requiring attention in ordinance language and event applications. He noted that at the rodeo parade, children intentionally threw "pop" fireworks—devices that explode with a loud sound—directly in front of horses, creating a serious safety hazard. While the incident was resolved through coordination between the parade coordinator and fire department, the chief requested that event materials include explicit language prohibiting items that pop, bang, or make loud noises.
Andrew also noted communication gaps regarding street barricade placement and the need to ensure mandatory contact with the fire department. He requested that parade ordinance materials clearly specify:
- Fire department contact numbers and personnel for coordination
- Requirement that parade organizers provide advance notice and contact information
- A single, clearly designated parade route map to avoid confusion about turns and turnarounds
- Notification of any emergency conditions that would require barricades to remain in place even if fire personnel must respond to calls
"We all love helping out, we love being a part of the parades and we'll continue to do that just as long as we have some notification ahead of time," Andrew said, noting that staffing challenges have increased as older retired volunteers are no longer available for street blocking duties.
Chief Guza and council members acknowledged the fire department's concerns and committed to reviewing event application materials to ensure that parade protocols are clearly documented.
Compliance Officer Recruitment Update:
City Clerk Williams announced that the city has received two applications for the compliance officer position. Williams indicated she would be scheduling interviews with both candidates and asked if any council members wished to participate. Two council members expressed interest in joining the interview team.
Pending Business:
Council noted that the following items remain pending or in process:
- Pool facility assessment and maintenance planning
- Title I and II program reviews
- Fire Department Memorandum of Understanding
- Wage and salary study updates
- General ordinance review
- Telecommunications Franchise Ordinance (nearing presentation)
- Animal Control Ordinance revision (to resume in September)
Public Works Update:
Public Works Director Eric Crusch reported on water system progress. The new water tower was filled for a second time without issues and has been isolated pending bacterial testing. Samples were expected to be returned by Saturday, with the system returning to service early the following week.
Crusch also noted an upcoming opportunity to address pothole issues on I Street while contractors work on paving around the new water tower, capitalizing on the grading work to address a long-standing community concern.
He reported minimal progress on the North Cherry development, with contractors still conducting material sampling and base preparation to ensure adequate foundation work before proceeding.
