Buckle up, or get pulled over

"The seat belt law (Bill 2362 in the North Dakota Legislature) passed," Carrington Fire Chief Ken Wangen told the Carrington City Council at their meeting last week.

During the meeting held on Monday, April 10, Wangen said it is now a primary offense to get caught not wearing a seat belt and police can legally pull-over a vehicle if the driver or any of the passengers are not wearing a seat belt.

He said all passengers must wear a seat-belt until all seat belts are used. Then, anyone without a seat belt will not be fined.

In other business:

Committee Reports

FIRE:

• Wangen reported that the fire department is replacing all of the lights in the fire hall with LED lights.

• He also said they received ice rescue suits.

• Wangen reported that there were several calls for service on the city side consisting of vehicle accidents and one rural structural fire.

• Finally, Wangen reported that for many years 100 percent of the fire insurance tax was allotted to fire departments, but that changed to only 45 percent in the 1980s. He said now 100 percent will be given to fire department.

AIRPORT:

• Jason Wolsky reported that a lot of snow is being removed from the airport and they are running out of places to put it.

TREE BOARD:

• It was reported that the emerald ash borer is now in Moorhead and getting closer to Carrington.

PUBLIC WORKS:

• Wolsky said the water plant processed 7,756,000 gallons of water in the month of March.

• Wolsky also said that the SIRN (Statewide Interoperable Radio Network) has asked to put up an antenna on the water tower.

• He said it will cost $10,250 to repair the lift station in the southeast part of the city.

BUILDING OFFICIAL:

• Wolsky reported that one building permit was issued in the month of March.

CCEDC:

• It was reported that the CCEDC has only received one applicant for the Chamber Scholarship.

• All ten of the incentive programs the CCEDC offers to residents were reviewed with changes made to seven of them.

• Two nurses will be arriving this month to work at Golden Acres Manor and Estates.

CVB:

• The OK Tire Car Show is set for Saturday, July 29 on Main Street.

Carrington was not selected for any of the NDSRA (North Dakota Street Rod Assoc.) events for 2023, but they can apply again for 2024.

• Electricity will possibly be coming to the park for The Market.

• A marketing grant request was received from the park board for assistance for the State Legion Baseball Tournament the week of July 26-30, 2023.

LIBRARY:

• Carrington City Library Director Michele Seil presented an annual report to the council.

The report explained the services the library provides as well as events held there and some interesting statistics including circulation, patronage, funding and technology.

Seil's monthly report was also presented to the council stating the library was trying a plan of being open until 7:30 one evening per week, but had to be discontinued due to the lack of an employee to cover that time slot. The plan will be reconsidered in the fall.