Town council cruises through light agenda

Perhaps it was the snow that fell heavy and wet in the late afternoon, for the Cathlamet Town Council found itself with a light agenda Tuesday.

The highlight of the agenda was supposed to have been a visit from Washington Department of Transportation engineers to talk about potential solutions for traffic control.

However, the visitors called before the meeting and asked to be excused because of poor travel conditions in Clark County.

The council quickly approved contracts with the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Wellness. The Chamber will provide business promotion, community events such as the Bald Eagle Festival, and pursue economic development. Columbia Wellness will provide counseling services for emergency responders.

The council also declared surplus a 1973 fire truck, 1990 ambulance and 1979 three-quarter ton truck.

Public Works Director Duncan Cruickshank reported a pedestrian, Mike Kochan, spotted a possible water leak at the intersection of Spring and Columbia streets. When the crew investigated, they found a ruptured pipe leaking a huge amount of water, a 20 percent increase in January, he said.

Clerk/Treasurer Kerrie McNally reported that the Internal Revenue Service had reduced the penalty for withholding tax payments that weren't made several years ago from $29,000 to $5,587.

"I paid that invoice immediately," McNally said. "I am thankful that the council allowed me to consult with a tax attorney, and I feel that the $2,000 that we paid him was well worth the effort."