FEBRUARY 12, 2025|
Photo – House owned by Town of Medicine Bow – Bigfoot99 file photo
The governing body of Medicine Bow discovered that damage to the former marshal’s house is not covered by insurance.
In 2019, the town of Medicine Bow used impact assistance money to create its own law enforcement agency. The Medicine Bow Marshal’s Office operated until February of last year, when the impact assistance money began to run out.
When the Marshal’s Department was formed, the town council purchased a trailer home at 724 Maple Street, on the north side of town, for deputies to rent. According to Medicine Bow town hall staff, Deputy Chris Tirpak was the last officer to occupy the house.
Last summer, the home was appraised in preparation for auctioning the property off along with other unneeded town-owned equipment. The appraisal valued the house and property at $62,000.
A resident placed an $80,000 bid on the home but was unable to follow through on the purchase due to an unforeseen personal issue.
After the sale was canceled, town employees visited the property and discovered that a water pipe ruptured the previous winter and caused extensive damage to the home’s floor, which now needs to be entirely replaced.
Medicine Bow officials blamed the previous tenant for failing to transfer utility services back into the town’s name after moving out. With no one paying the bills, the gas provider shut the heat off to the property, causing the water pipes to freeze and burst. The water caused the floor to warp and buckle, making the home unsafe to occupy. The town was unaware of the extent of the damage when they originally put the house up for auction.
Since discovering the poor condition of the house, the Medicine Bow town council has been debating the best way to dispose of the property. Should they sell the home as it is for a significantly lower price, or invest in repairs in hopes of recuperating the cost?
At the January 13th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Public Works Director Brian Lashley said he received an estimate of $34,000 to replace the floor in the trailer home.
The governing body decided to investigate the possibility of filing an insurance claim for the property.
During Monday’s Medicine Bow town council meeting, Mayor Justin George said the property at 724 Maple Street is not insured. Public Works Director Brian Lashley said the property was never covered under the town’s insurance.
Mayor George said it is his duty to ensure that all town property is protected against loss or damage. The mayor said the town is now fully covered and that the house should have been included in the town’s insurance policy at the time of purchase.
Mayor George suggested holding a special meeting to discuss the fate of the 724 Maple Street property. The mayor said repairs are estimated to cost over half of the appraised value of the trailer home.
Mayor George reiterated the need for a meeting, specifically to discuss the town’s options regarding the former marshal’s house. During the meeting, the governing body will investigate why the house was left in its current condition and how best to dispose of the property.
Medicine Bow Fire Chief Ed Standish, an experienced contractor, offered his services to inspect the home and determine if it does, in fact, need a completely new floor.
Mayor George said he will contact Chief Standish and Public Works Director Lashley for another inspection of the property and then set a date for the special meeting.
