August 19, 2024 |
Photo – House Medicine Bow bought for Marshal’s Office – Bigfoot99 file photo
The town of Medicine Bow has found a buyer for the former marshal’s house and other unused equipment.
In 2019, the town of Medicine Bow used $1 million of impact assistance money from nearby wind turbine construction projects to form a marshal’s department. The funding was used to buy law enforcement equipment and purchase a house in town. When needed, the home, located at 724 Maple Street, was offered for rent to the town’s marshals. Deputy Chris Tirpak was the last officer to occupy the house.
In February, with the impact assistance money running out, the town council voted to dissolve the marshals’ office. Since that time, the town has been selling off unneeded law enforcement equipment.
Earlier this month, the council voted to place the former marshal’s house up for sale. To maximize profits, the town chose to request bids for the property instead of using a realtor. The town also asked for bids on other pieces of equipment, such as fencing, sewer pipes, fuel tanks, and a heavy-duty truck.
During the August 12th Medicine Bow town council meeting, the governing body opened the sealed bids. Mayor Justin George read a bid for the former marshal’s house. The council joked about how the bidder, Peter Tyler, wrote down the wrong address.
When the house was put up for sale, it was stipulated that the town would not accept less than $63,000. As the only bidder and with a bid that was $18,000 higher than the minimum, Peter Tyler was selected to buy the house.
The town also auctioned off two 1,000-gallon fuel tanks used by the former marshal’s department. One resident bid $700 each for the tanks while another bid $300 for both.
The town also received one bid for the 2006 International-brand heavy-duty truck for $2,600.
Public Works Director Brian Lashley said the bids for the fuel tanks and truck are far too low and the town must reject them. Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer pointed out that, unlike the house, the town did not set a minimum bid for the truck and tanks.
Town Attorney Cameron Smith said it is the council’s discretion whether to accept the bids or not.
Councilwoman Wickizer asked Public Works Director Lashley how much he will accept for the truck. Lashley said the vehicle is worth more than ten times what was bid for it.
Lashley said the 1,000-gallon fuel tanks are worth $3,000 each.
The Medicine Bow town council voted to sell all uncontested equipment to the highest bidders. As for the truck and fuel tanks, the governing body instructed Lashley to contact the bidders and see if they’re willing to meet the minimum prices.
