Where to park large vehicles in Keystone?

A discussion on where to park busses and recreational vehicles (RVs) during the summer tourist season took place at Keystone’s most recent town board meeting.

“Unfortunately in the town of Keystone oversized vehicles in general, I really don't know where to park them. The only spot I really have right now is on Roy Street….My recommendation is we don't take away from employee parking because that’s full. We really can't take away from Swanzey Street,” said Pennington County Sheriff’s Office deputy Chris Plawman.

These vehicles can’t fit in the state parking lot, either. A bus loading and unloading only area exists near the 1880 Train, but there is no parking there.

Plawman was hoping the board could put their heads together for a solution. Talking with private property owners who are bringing the busses in was one possible solution for bus tours. However this doesn’t solve all the parking problems.

“Like last year we had a ton of RVs that came into town, we still need to figure out spots for those people,” Plawman said.

Ideas discussed were the areas across from the mall and the Catholic church parking lot. Plawman also recommended putting the parking bear out on May 15, when parking laws are enforced.

The town’s financial audit is underway. It should be completed by June.

The town has two candidates for its upcoming election on April 13. A candidate night will occur on March 29 at 6 p.m. Finance officer Cassandra Ott held a candidate draw for the order of names on the ballot. Matt Fullilove will be first on the ballot and Will Parks will be 2nd. Ott thanked both candidates for running.

A board of equalization meeting will happen on March 15 at 5p.m. Residents will have 15 minute blocks of time to discuss their contest of property taxes.

The town is looking for volunteers for a clean up crew for clean up day on April 19. The town clean up week is April 19-23.

“We have great water,” said Ott, who noted the 2020 drinking water report for Keystone is on the town’s website. Ott also informed the board that business license letters have been sent out.

The letters contain information about clean up rules that have been in place since the town incorporated. Ott has shared LIDAR data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) map with the state, county and the town engineer.

“They can better plan for things in Keystone because of that map,” Ott said.

The fifth annual pinewood derby is on March 21 at 4 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club in Hill City. Carl Doaty explained to the board that it’s the biggest fundraiser for the cub packs, and it is open to community members.

The car kit costs $20 and for the $25 donation the Cub Scouts will build a car for the organization.

Keystone did a car last year, which the public works department built. The board agreed to have the cub scouts build a car and approved the $25 donation.

The cemetery committee approved a local plot price for Pam Knapp, which was recommended by the town’s cemetery committee.

“This is exactly why we have the cemetery committee,” said Ott. “Pam Knapp used to live here. She and her husband were very influential in the town. They however do not currently reside in Keystone.”

The town accepted a bid from Derksen Floors Inc. for $3,500 to refinish the town gym floor.

Three people were contacted but only two businesses bid the project.

“These are the same people that put the floor in, so they are very familiar with the floor,” said Ott.

The town approved a $46,972 quote from Kilowatt to separate the electricity and backup power to well number four located for the ambulance district site. This quote was preferred by public works since it was above ground and would give the town flexibility in the future. The quote moves the electrical box away from the water line.

The museum will once again host the Living History Program. About 125 fourth graders will visit the museum in April.

“Those kids will come with their class. And then later on in the season they'll come with their whoever,” said Jeanie Kirkpatrick, president of the Keystone Area Historical Society (KAHS).

Kirkpatrick also informed the town board the KAHS received $6,378 in CARES Act money.

The museum will be cleaned prior to its opening.

Kirkpatrick said plans for the Carrie Ingalls celebration are in a “holding pattern” at the moment due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; however the event is still taking place.

Public works is cutting trees at the cemetery and doing cleanup at the creek. The restrooms next to the Keystone Community Center have been painted. Summer supplies for the restrooms have been ordered.

Roller-skating will take place again on March 19. Six to eight volunteers will be present and the senior center has donated food for concessions. Skating takes place from 6 p.m. to 9pm. Bingo for the month of February raised $252 for the senior center.

A special event vendor fee was approved for the April 17 spring fling vendor fair, which benefits the town library.