TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council and Torrington Police Department honored fallen officer, Harley Mark, with his family and friends present during the first council meeting in September on Tuesday.

According to Chief Matt Johnson, Lieutenant Harley Mark was fatally wounded in a motor vehicle accident while attempting to apprehend a violent threat to the community 28 years ago. Mayor Randy Adams thanked Mark’s family for attending.

“We are glad to have you here and we appreciate you doing this,” Adams said.

Before the meeting began, officers presented Mark’s family with flowers.

The family filled the room as Chief Johnson honored Mark, and his son-in-law, Paul Martinez, said a prayer.

Adams then presented his information items including a reminder to keep yards clean and a continued caution of the poor air quality from the fires.

Adams also said COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in the area. He said there have been 69 confirmed cases in the week leading up to Labor Day.

Adams added he and the four other mayors in the county talked to the Goshen County Commissioners earlier on Tuesday about a possible sixth penny tax. Adams said Torrington would like to use the new sales tax to renovate the swimming pool.

Adams also called for everyone to pause and reflect on Saturday for the anniversary of 9/11.

Brenda Vance of Gracie’s Promise addressed the council and asked for the 200-dollar special event permit to be waived for the for the 5K run and motorcycle poker run fundraiser on Sept 7, since they are a non-profit.

Gracie’s Promise financially helps families with children who have catastrophic diseases.

“We are one of only three in the state that continue to provide this type of service,” Vance said.

According to Vance, Gracie’s Promise is funding their 99th family.

Vance also thanked Chief Johnson for all of his help with organizing the event and said it has been a more arduous process this year.   

The board approved unanimously to waive the fee.

Jeff Harkins, the Director of Public Works addressed the council and recommended the board to waive late fees for three tenants of the airport hangar. Harkins said after the new ordinance to add a late fee was put into place in July there was some confusion with the tenants. Harkins said he received plausible excuses from two tenants and has not heard back from the third. Harkins recommended waiving the fee for all of them to avoid any conflict.

After Harkins clarified the recommendation was just for this month, the council unanimously approved to waive the 25-dollar fees.

City Clerk and Treasurer, Lynette Strecker, spoke to the board about the financial report after the end of the fiscal year.

Strecker said the total for unrestricted funds is $2.1 million which went up $83,000 from last year.

Strecker also said the actual cash available was $13,605,645, which was almost two million dollars more than her projection.

“I underestimated the cash balance by 1.7 million dollars, which is okay,” Strecker said. “Better than the other way.”

Strecker also talked about the section on the city website where anyone can access and interact with all of the reports. To learn more, go to thttps://torringtonwy.gov/364/OpenGov-Transparency-Portal

 Mayor Adams announced Strecker was recognized as clerk and treasurer of the year by the Wyoming Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasures (WAMCAT).

“Out of all 99 [municipalities] we have the very best,” Adams said.

The council approved the report unanimously and the moved on to the bills from Aug. 18 to Sept. 7.

Strecker said there was almost a million dollars in expenses for the past three weeks. The board approved to pay the bills unanimously.

The council’s next meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.