The Winthrop Town Council has approved a deed agreement transferring ownership of the new Winthrop public library from Friends of the Winthrop Library (FOWL) to the town.
The action came at last week’s council meeting. The council had earlier postponed action on the transfer because of a few concerns about the wording.
Specifically, a paragraph on future structural changes was revised to say that any such alterations will be discussed with the town rather than approved unilaterally by FOWL. The revised version was quickly adopted by the council.
FOWL, a nonprofit, built the new library on White Avenue with a combination of donated funds and a state grant, with the intent of gifting it to the town. The new library officially opened on June 11.
In other business:
- The council agreed to extend town water service to property owner Kate Wynne, who owns adjacent lots on Horizon Flat Road that are just outside the town limits. Wynne had earlier asked the town to consider her request to facilitate the operation of composting facility on her properties. Council members had asked for more information before acting on the request.
Public Works Director Jeff Sarvis told the council that the town has adequate water to serve Wynne’s property with 8,000 gallons a month, a bit less than the 10,000 gallons a month Wynne had estimated her operation might require. Some conditions would apply, Sarvis said.
“I don’t see that it’s hurtful or harmful to the town,” Sarvis said. He noted that the town has about 85 water hookups in reserve, and is also updating its water system plan to provide more capacity and take full advantage of the town’s existing water rights.
“The town’s in pretty good shape,” Sarvis said.
- The council appointed council member Ben Nelson to represent them on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, replacing former council member William Kilby, who recently resigned.
- Council member Kirsten Vanderhalf was named mayor pro tem to act for Mayor Sally Ranzau when Ranzau is not able to preside over council meetings.
- Seth Miles was sworn in to replace Kilby on the council. Miles was selected from among four candidates at the council’s previous meeting.
