Council fills vacant position

The Cathlamet Town Council filled a vacant council position and acted on other business when it met Monday evening.

Council Member Steven McNicholas had written a letter of resignation after the council's April meeting which had a report of a $900 penalty for a late insurance payment. McNicholas said he was unhappy with the way in which that situation was handled. He later tried to rescind his resignation, but city officials ruled he had tried to withdraw the resignation too late according to state law.

The council had two candidates to fill the position, Hannah Booth Watts and Robert L. Kizziar. Booth Watts has filed for election to the position, and Kizziar has filed for election to a seat on the Port District 1 Board of Commissioners.

Booth Watts attended the meeting and had given detailed responses to a questionaire. She said she hopes to contribute to the overall efficient operation of the town. She has a master's degree in accounting and worked as an accountant.

Kizziar gave short answers to the question. He said he has served on many boards and committees and is willing to serve his community.

Mayor George Wehrfritz recused himself from the council during the discussion; Kizziar is a friend, he said. He added that Kizziar was on a vacation trip and had said he would, if appointed, serve only until he began his term as a port commissioner.

Council members voted unanimously to appoint Booth Watts.

In other business:

--Wehrfritz annouced that Connie Christopher is resigning her position as librarian.

--The council discussed a long-planned street lighting project and agreed that Main Street lights and as many others as possible along that route should get new poles, globes and hanging brackets, but not to include an irrigation watering system for hanging baskets.

--The council discussed a request from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to rent the Broadway Street Dock to serve as an access to offshore salmon rearing net pens.

Council Member Wally Wright said he supported the rearing program but disagreed with the location; upstream near the outlet of a creek upon which the salmon could imprint, would be better, he said. Otherwise they might not return to the area.

Council members and the audience discussed salmon rearing and related issues, expressing frustration with WDFW management, and they put off voting on the issue to gather more information.