Assembly discusses new position at Nolan Center, request for toxicology report

The Wrangell Borough Assembly met Tuesday night to hold a meeting that was rescheduled from July 24.

Before getting into new business, the assembly heard a request from Lavern Lawrence, who lives at 4.2 mile. Lawrence said that she and her husband live right next door to the dump, and have had several health issues arise because of it. She came before the assembly because she said her doctors have requested they get a toxicology report to rule out what could be causing some of these health issues. Lawrence requested that the city assist in the payment for these reports, which she said would cost $804 a piece. The assembly assured Lawrence that they would discuss her request in more detail during an executive session of the meeting.

The assembly also discussed a resolution to create a new position at the Nolan Center. According to the resolution, the Nolan Center is staffed with several temporary employees as well as "1.5 full-time equivalent positions." The resolution also said that this is not enough to properly staff the Nolan Center, so the creation of a facility manager position is requested.

The facility manager would report to the Nolan Center's director, and would help keep the center and its programs running smoothly. The resolution lists the position's pay range from $32.19 to $29.22 an hour. The resolution was passed unanimously.

Wrangell Borough Manager brought several smaller items to the assembly's attention. She informed the assembly that the Irene Ingle Public Library recently concluded its summer reading program for the year, and had over 130 children participate. She also let the assembly know that Rick Groshong, with the Wrangell Police Department, has accepted a new position as chief of police in the city of Hoonah. He is expected to leave Wrangell in about two weeks.

Other items discussed in the meeting include:

• A new nuisance abatement ordinance;

• A vacancy on the Wrangell Medical Board. Wrangell Mayor David Jack proposed to the assembly that, as they had received no letters of interest for the position, they leave the seat vacant until it came up for election in October;

• Approval of a match agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for a repair project on the access road to the North Country Trailhead; and

• Approval of a match agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for a project to extend the Mt. Dewey trail.