'Phantom Smell' possibility debunked

The Malta Public Works crew thought they might have had a lead on the “phantom smell” that has plagued downtown Malta for some time, but after a little asking around, the smell remains a mystery.

At the Tuesday meeting a week ago, Public Works crewmember Jim Truelove said that he recently talked to a member of Montana DEQ who said he had seen a similar problem in his neck of the woods and the cause was natural gas. Truelove and Mayor Jones met with Tony Boos of Montana-Dakota Utilities a few days after the meeting, according to Mayor Jones, and Boos said that the pipes downtown are tested on a yearly basis and they have no leaks – adding that the equipment he uses to search for leaks can find a pinhole buried six feet deep. Mayor Jones said that Truelove would meet with DEQ again to try to locate the phantom smell’s source.

Some Malta residents wondered if the recent construction at the Veterans’ Park where the bathrooms were tore down had anything to do with the “phantom smell” but Mayor Jones said that wasn’t the case and the bathrooms were simply being replaced and should be done by the middle of May.

During the reports from department’s portion of the City Council Meeting, Truelove told the council members that both the Riverview and Trafton Park bathrooms are now open. Truelove said that street sweeping in Malta is underway and that the dyke on the Milk River west of Malta was due for its yearly inspection on June 11.

Mayor Jones extended a “huge thank you” to Truelove and the rest of the Public Works crew who have had to worked shorthanded over the past few months.

During the new business portion of the City Council meeting, Mayor Jones asked the council members what they thought about offering part-time, permanent city employees the option of purchasing dental and vision insurance. After s short discussion, the Council members unanimously voted, 4-0, in favor of offering said benefits to permanent, part-time employees (currently two people.)

Kenneth Ulrich’s Evergreen Lawn Services were awarded the Malta lawn services contract and making an informative proposal of the area his business will maintain in the coming months. Evergreen Lawn Services was awarded a $13,900 contract to care for the cities lawns and parks. The work includes a fertilization and herbicide program, mowing and weed eating all irrigated lawn, maintaining sprinkler systems and hand watering needed areas including newly planted trees.

A request was made and approved for street closures on June 6 for the First State Bank Car Show. The request was unanimously approved.