Citizens seek return of human service offices

A group of Boulder community members is working to return human services office hours to Boulder.

The Horizons Resource Committee would like to have an office space for the Office of Public Assistance, Job Service, the Career Training Institute, mental health services, as well as for those assisting seniors with weatherization and heating-assistance programs, said committee member Barb Reiter.

The committee held an open house June 18 in Boulder, inviting service providers and community residents.

"We're trying to bring back all the social services," Reiter said. The Horizons group would like to have one location in the future where all the social services will hold office hours.

The office would also post a schedule of when the service staff are holding office hours and have informational brochures about the various programs.

The Horizons committee has been working with the Jefferson County Commission to find office space, she said.

Boulder community members are also planning a health fair for Sept. 27.

Resurfacing project planned for I-15

The public can comment on a Montana Department of Transportation proposal to resurface about 5.4 miles of Interstate 15 between Basin and Boulder in Jefferson County.

The project will begin approximately 0.8 miles east of the Basin Interchange at milepost 157.7 and extend easterly to the structures over the Boulder River approximately 1.8 miles southwest of Boulder at milepost 163.1.

Proposed work includes cold milling some sections of the travel lanes and filling with new asphalt surfacing, sealing and patching bridge decks, upgrading guardrail ends, and finishing with a seal and cover (chip-seal) and new pavement markings.

The project is to extend the service life of the highway and take a cost-effective action to preserve and maintain the existing highway, according to MDT.

Work is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2009. No new right-of-way or utility relocations are needed.

For more information, contact Butte District Administrator Jeff Ebert, at (406) 494-9600 or District Projects Engineer Joe Walsh at (406) 494-9622. Written comments can be sent to MDT Butte office at P.O. Box 3068, Butte, MT 59702-3068, or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml

Clark to appear at trail foundation fundraiser

Capt. William Clark, as portrayed by historical interpreter, Ritchie Doyle, will be the featured speaker for the Gates of the Mountains Chapter of Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation annual Gates of the Mountains boat ride, July 18.

The boat leaves the Gates dock (off Interstate 15) promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Passengers will be able to view results of the 2007 wildfire that began just two days after the chapter's last boat trip visit.

Attendees need to bring brown-bag suppers. The chapter will supply brownies, lemonade and iced tea.

Reservations are required. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Phone Darlene Gilchrist at 444-1223 (days) or 449-0354 (evenings) or Barbara Fifer at 443-0407.

National Fire Plan grant funds available

The Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation is now accepting applications for the 2009 Western States Wildland Urban Interface Grant Program.

The Western States Wildland Urban Interface Grant Program offers financial assistance for projects addressing four key areas: improving fire prevention in the interface; reducing hazardous fuels; restoring fire-adapted ecosystems; and promoting community assistance.

The program is not designed for individual homeowners or landowners.

Instead, the grants go to local government, fire departments, homeowner associations, and Resource Conservation and Development Areas, which provide cost-share assistance to individuals.

Residents can contact their local RC&D office, fire department or the Montana DNRC for more information about assistance.

Applications and guidelines are available online at www.dnrc.mt.gov. Applications must be received no later than Sept. 5, and must be submitted electronically to nfpgrants@mt.gov.

For more information about this grant program or the National Fire Plan, call 406-542-4235.

Reporter Marga Lincoln: 447-4074 or marga.lincoln@helenair.com