Government briefs

County

The Lincoln County Commissioners approved a resolution last Wednesday requesting distribution of the county’s portion of allocated Bridge Road and Safety and Accountability funds from the Montana Department of Transportation.

The county had to match $1 of county funds for each $20 provided by MDT.

The money will go toward the cost of altering Fifth Street Extension in order to improve safety at the railroad crossing, as well as toward a project improving Jennings Haul Road.

According to the appendix to the resolution, the project costs are estimated to total just over $175,000.

Troy

During their regular meeting last Wednesday evening, the Troy City Council heard from John and Barb McClure, who are interested in creating a place in Troy to stay during the summer.

The McClure’s did not seek a variance Wednesday, but approached the council to discuss the possibility of one.

During discussion, it emerged that the couple wish to arrange a property within the city limits in order to be able to stay there during the summer in a fifth-wheel camper.

The council agreed a variance for staying in a camper would require the resident to be actively engaged in preparing the property or constructing a home.

Council member Chuck Ekstedt told John McClure that they could potentially receive a variance if they planned to build something on the property.

McClure said that he and his wife had considered building a tiny home on the property, but thought Troy required the home to be a minimum of 900 square feet.

City Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Rebo said that there is no restriction on the size of a tiny home placed on a foundation, as it is considered a house, and does not fall under restrictions placed on mobile homes.

New businesses

The Troy City Council approved a new business license at their regular meeting Wednesday, voting unanimously to approve the license for Breiland Excavating, LLC.