Interim mayor named

The Thompson Falls City Council on Monday named council president Raoul Ribeiro as interim mayor.

Mayor Mark Sheets handed in his letter of resignation at the June council meeting. Ribeiro will serve as mayor until a new mayor is appointed by the council. Letters of interest will be accepted until 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 28.

To qualify for mayor, a person must be at least 21 years old, a resident of Montana for at least three years and a resident of Thompson Falls for at least two years.

Carrie Gardner with Great West Engineering updated the council on phases 1 and 2 of the sewer project, noting that Razz Construction has just over 20 more services to connect in those phases. The contractor then will finish cleanup of property. Gardner also said upgrades to the treatment plant continue and that Great West has asked for an updated schedule from the contractor.

Gardner also updated the council on the final phases of the sewer project, which includes connecting all properties east of Grove Street. The project is still in the design phase, and the city hopes it will go out to bid this fall with construction beginning Spring 2024.

Resident Gussie O'Connor said the crews have been very nice and doing a great job, noting they came back and replaced her topsoil after her hookup was completed.

The next city council meeting will be Monday, August 14, at 6 p.m.