Curfew Set in Place

Although the Blaine County Commission had to limit the attendance April 6 at its regular meeting, it still dealt with a substantial agenda.

Prior to passing the monthly appropriations and departmental reports, the commissioners let the bid for the majority of the work on the Greenfield Fire Department to Nolt Construction. That bid came in at $390,600 and includes the concrete, insulation, building and doors and the driveway, but does not include the plumbing or electrical work. Those portions of the work will be let separately and construction is to be complete 10 months after the plumbing bid has been accepted. The fire department has been saving its quarter-cent sales tax proceeds for the project and has the cash on deposit for the job.

The county also determined it would have to develop a leave policy in keeping with the Department of Labor’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act. It was unclear how the act should be applied to those who had used their leave time and had no sick or vacation days accrued and whether those days should be paid.

In response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the county enacted a curfew, limiting those on the streets to essential personnel between the hours of 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Anyone found in violation of the curfew can be fined $500.

Sheriff Tony Almaguer said he was hopeful the curfew would help limit the spread of the Coronavirus as well as decrease the nighttime criminal activity around the county. Anyone who notices a suspicious vehicle abroad during curfew hours is encouraged to report it to dispatch. The department has added additional deputies either temporary or part time and the department has gone to 12-hour shifts for the duration of the pandemic.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com