Post by Admin on Jul 27, 2019 5:57:36 GMT -7
High South Road and Golemeyer Creek Excavation Updates - July 27, 2019
The Forum had a chance to speak with Glastonbury Landowner's Association (GLA) President Dennis Riley and Road Committee Chair Ken Hurley on July 25th, 2019. We met in Liberty Hall at 7 PM for a scheduled Road Committee meeting. Upon arriving we learned that the meeting date was in error as the actual meeting is three weeks away. Ia Williams, Claudette Dirkers and Director Richard Johnson(RJ) were also in attendance. Both Riley and Hurley graciously answered Forum questions regarding High South Glastonbury roads and the Golemeyer Creek excavation of 2018.
We first asked why High South roads past SpecTec were not graded or graveled this spring. Hurley replied that they were supposed to receive regular maintenance but Standish Excavation failed to complete the work requested. He went on to explain that the work would be included with fall grading. A culvert is to be included for Sagittarius Place, gravel and grading for upper Hercules, Sagittarius Place and Sagittarius Skyway.
Our next question concerned snow fence repairs and upgrades for two sections along Sagittarius Skyway. The Forum offered to find volunteers to upgrade the fencing to what was installed by the 2017 Road Committee in Low South along Dry Creek Road and in North Glastonbury. We estimated the cost at between three and four hundred dollars for materials. Labor would be donated. Riley and Hurley thanked us and promised to bring our offer up at the next Road Committee meeting.
We also expressed concern for the huge weed problem on excavated land along Golemeyer Creek. Riley told us that he spread about $80.00 worth of grass seed at the first spot that was excavated. He also explained that the GLA stopped spraying weeds several years back. Now they use mowing as an alternative. We requested that the weed problem in High South be addressed at the next Road Committee meeting.
Finally we asked about the status of the 2018 Golemeyer Creek excavation project led by Road Committee member Walter Wunsch and President Riley. We wanted to know if there were any violations or GLA Board communications with the government agencies that issued the permits; the Park County Conservation Board and the Army Corps of Engineers. President Riley repeatedly and emphatically stated "there were no violations or Board communications with the agencies". He went on to tell us of an inspection done last fall that he and Hurley participated in. Riley related that a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks representative also attended and had warm words of praise for the work done. Chad Standish of Standish Excavation was also complimented on the excellent job he did in filling in the old creek bed and creating a new one. Riley went on to say that he would speak with Project Facilitator Walter Wunsch to see if he received any violation notices. He again strongly reassured us that he was not aware of any violations and that the GLA Board had not received any such notices either. He added that the GLA Board did not have any communications with the various agencies.
The Forum has contacted Walter Wunsch by email and he replied on July 26th. We asked Wunsch "Could you please confirm whether you are in agreement with Dennis and the GLA Board regarding the absence of any violations?". Wunsch replied "Dennis and Ken's statement are overall correct.". He added "However...neither the GLA our[sic] Kathleen Ramp have received an official formal letter affirming the same.".
We first asked why High South roads past SpecTec were not graded or graveled this spring. Hurley replied that they were supposed to receive regular maintenance but Standish Excavation failed to complete the work requested. He went on to explain that the work would be included with fall grading. A culvert is to be included for Sagittarius Place, gravel and grading for upper Hercules, Sagittarius Place and Sagittarius Skyway.
Our next question concerned snow fence repairs and upgrades for two sections along Sagittarius Skyway. The Forum offered to find volunteers to upgrade the fencing to what was installed by the 2017 Road Committee in Low South along Dry Creek Road and in North Glastonbury. We estimated the cost at between three and four hundred dollars for materials. Labor would be donated. Riley and Hurley thanked us and promised to bring our offer up at the next Road Committee meeting.
We also expressed concern for the huge weed problem on excavated land along Golemeyer Creek. Riley told us that he spread about $80.00 worth of grass seed at the first spot that was excavated. He also explained that the GLA stopped spraying weeds several years back. Now they use mowing as an alternative. We requested that the weed problem in High South be addressed at the next Road Committee meeting.
Finally we asked about the status of the 2018 Golemeyer Creek excavation project led by Road Committee member Walter Wunsch and President Riley. We wanted to know if there were any violations or GLA Board communications with the government agencies that issued the permits; the Park County Conservation Board and the Army Corps of Engineers. President Riley repeatedly and emphatically stated "there were no violations or Board communications with the agencies". He went on to tell us of an inspection done last fall that he and Hurley participated in. Riley related that a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks representative also attended and had warm words of praise for the work done. Chad Standish of Standish Excavation was also complimented on the excellent job he did in filling in the old creek bed and creating a new one. Riley went on to say that he would speak with Project Facilitator Walter Wunsch to see if he received any violation notices. He again strongly reassured us that he was not aware of any violations and that the GLA Board had not received any such notices either. He added that the GLA Board did not have any communications with the various agencies.
The Forum has contacted Walter Wunsch by email and he replied on July 26th. We asked Wunsch "Could you please confirm whether you are in agreement with Dennis and the GLA Board regarding the absence of any violations?". Wunsch replied "Dennis and Ken's statement are overall correct.". He added "However...neither the GLA our[sic] Kathleen Ramp have received an official formal letter affirming the same.".
Landowner Kathleen Ramp owns the waterfall property that also received creek excavation work from Chad Standish. Permits were required and like the GLA, she is still waiting for final approval letters.
Perhaps the two best known and most trusted men in Glastonbury, GLA President Dennis Riley and 30 year resident and CEO of SpecTec, Walter Wunsch, have stated that there were no violations in the 2018 Golemeyer Creek Excavation. All of the GLA Directors we spoke with were in agreement with Riley and Wunsch. It appears that the project is complete, all agencies are satisfied and the GLA is waiting for official letters of approval from the Park County Conservation Board and the Army Corps of Engineers.