Concerned citizen addresses council

The Odessa Town Council met Monday night for its regular bi-monthly meeting and under Public Input heard from Odessa resident Jim Boss about what he says are continuing problems with a neighbor who does not respect his property rights. Boss said he had complained about damage to his property to Odessa’s two most recent chiefs of police to no avail. The problems continue.

A more recent problem involved him being blocked from leaving the back portion of his property by a large RV parked in the alley. His requests to have the vehicle removed, he said, were completely ignored. He says he called law enforcement and then had to wait an hour for a sheriff’s deputy to arrive, making him late for an appointment. The owner of the RV moved the vehicle at the request of the deputy.

Boss said he feels that his calls and concerns are being given little attention by the authorities, and he wanted to know why such a conflict was allowed to go on for so many years.

Mayor Doug Plinski said the council’s “police committee” would discuss the matter.

Other council business

In other business, the council approved and accepted a bid from Lowe’s in Moses Lake to reroof the cemetery chapel, the tourist park gazebo and bathroom. Lowe’s had the low bid of those submitted.

Also approved was the determination of nonsignificance regarding Avista’s request to enlarge its Odessa substation.

There was no report from the fire department.

Police

For the police department, Bryce Peterson reported average call volume and no major incidents. He also informed the council that the department would be going through seized evidence that need no longer be retained and will sell it at the firemen’s auction in May.

Public Works

The public works director Rod Webster reported installing two new sinks in the women’s restroom in the Old Town Hall, as well as a new water heater that serves both the men’s and women’s bathrooms. Leakage from the old water heater may mean replacement of the floor in the not too distant future.

Webster reported that the yard waste dumpsters are being used as dumping space for garbage, bulk refuse such as bricks and all manner of rubbish. In order for the town to be able to haul the grass clippings, leaves and twigs that should go in the dumpsters to the Barr-Tech recycling facility, the vegetation must be “clean,” not mixed with garbage or other waste.

Town clean--up days will be held April 17, 18 and 19.

Plinski closed the meeting with a brief synopsis of meetings attended recently and reminders of upcoming events and meetings in Odessa and surrounding areas.