By Don Nelson
The Winthrop Town Council adopted the town’s six-year transportation improvement plan — a list of funded projects, hoped-for projects and dreamed-of projects to improve Winthrop’s streets — at its meeting last week.
The plan, updated annually, is required by the state to set priorities for projects and anticipated funding requests.
Projects which already have funding — typically a combination of state and federal grants — include a pedestrian underpass for the Chewuch River bridge; three roadway crossings on Highway 20 that are part of the Susie Stephens Trail project; and further extension of the trail south of Highway 20 and Bridge Street.
Other anticipated projects, in more or less chronological order, include pavement overlays on Perry Street, Lince Avenue, Rose’s Hill, Wister Way and Kennison Avenue; extension of the sidewalk on Castle Avenue; extension of the sidewalk along Highway 20 from downtown to the Spring Creek Bridge; retrofit and installation of handicapped-compliant pedestrian access ramps on Riverside Avenue; paving on Castle Avenue; pavement overlay on Norfolk Road and Greenwood Road; pavement overlay on Sundowner Road and Saddleback Road; and pavement overlay in the Horizon Flats area.
In other business, the council learned from Town Clerk Michelle Gaines that a propane generator suitable for operating nearly all Town Hall functions during a power outage could be acquired for about $13,000 — including installation by the Okanogan County Electric Cooperative — according to a local contractor.
Council member Rick Northcott said he would be more comfortable if there were other estimates to compare with that figure, and Gaines said she would get more information. The purchase would not need to go through a bidding process, Gaines said.
The council adopted a fee schedule for various town services. The only addition was a $200 fee for an amendment or modification of an existing permit.
The council also learned that there has been one applicant for the deputy marshal position that is vacant, and two applicants for a town maintenance job with expanded hours.
