Beulah polling station to move

Residents of the Beulah area will not be heading for the old country school building to cast their votes at the elections this year. Due to safety concerns, County Clerk Linda Fritz has completed the process to move the voting location to the Northeast Wyoming Visitors’ Center.

Having already reached out via mail to the 100-plus voters this decision will affect, and received no complaints in return, Fritz hosted a public hearing on Tuesday to explain her reasoning and hear from interested parties. Again, no concerns were expressed.

The issue is a water leak in the roof of the building, Fritz told the county commissioners, which caused the plaster in the ceiling over the entrance to collapse on election day in 2018.

“Luckily, it didn’t hit anybody,” she said.

Even more worryingly, said Fritz, water is leaking onto the electrical panel for the building. With these issues in mind, she explained that she feels there is a safety issue for voters and a liability issue for the county.

Fritz has already arranged the use of a double garage at the rest area, she said, which comes with a number of advantages. It is ADA compliant; has the blessing of WYDOT and the Department of Tourism; has bathroom facilities nearby that would remove the need to bring in a portapotty; and has running water, she said.

The garage is currently partly used for storage, she continued, which can be pushed back on election day.

The commissioners were in agreement that a new location is needed and that the county will need to consider its options for the future of the old schoolhouse.

“I don’t think we ought to let anybody use it for anything,” said Commissioner Kelly Dennis, who expressed that he would want it inspected by a qualified electrician for safety if it was to be put back into use.

The commissioners agreed that they will check with the Beulah fire hall on the plot next door to see if the land may be needed for future expansion. Meanwhile, with its existence now in question, the commission invited feedback from the public on possibilities such as selling, demolishing or refurbishing the building.