GUERNSEY – At last Tuesday’s council meeting the Town of Guernsey approved a rental agreement for use of the main hangar at the airport. The contract with Ag Flyers in Torrington includes furnishing the FBO (fixed base operator) building and keeping it in good order which will benefit all who utilize the airport. The contract’s effective date is May 7, 2025.
The old fuel at the airport has been discussed in prior council meetings, but at this time there has not been a decision on what to do with – or how to dispose of– the fuel which has degraded and is unable to be utilized safely in aircraft.
After an inquiry during public comments regarding the speed limit disparities along Nebraska Street that has created confusion in the community this past spring, the mayor referred to police chief Jay Harrison. The chief confirmed the entirety of Nebraska Street was officially designated a school zone, since there is a crosswalk across the state highway, and the fact students use the street to come and go from the school. As a school zone, the speed limit on the entire street will be 20 MPH.
The council gave their approval for fireworks stand for 2025 to Friends of Guernsey Lodge, the local masonic group. Though there is a fire ban in the county, municipalities set their own regulations on fire bans. For current regulations within Guernsey city limits, please see the town website at togwy.us, contact town hall, or any member of the Guernsey Volunteer Fire Department.
Golf pro shop manager, Melissa Howe, discussed at length with the council, questions and recommendations she had for changes and clarifications to the Trail Ruts Golf Course rates and rules. She also emphasized, there needs to be more consistency with registrations: she reminded those in attendance at the meeting, everyone who golfs on the course must register before they start golfing.
After some input from the council, Mayor Ed Delgado asked her to put everything together in a report, and the council will work to finalize the rules, procedure, and rates to eliminate confusion and find a balance of fairness for everyone who utilizes the course.
“I want to bring to the attention of the community as a whole. This is the first time in five years the golf course rates were raised. In the last five years the town has spent $651,408.06 towards the golf course,” councilwoman Penny Wells said In her closing statement. “I think it is an asset to the community, and I’d like to see members take initiative to sell advertising or find different ways to fundraise to help support the golf course. The tournaments just aren’t enough.”
She added, there is also only a small percentage of the town’s citizens who are members of the golf club, so the amount the town is spending on the golf course is a little high for the benefit of a few.
An issue with a town employee who has threatened golfers while drunk with a gun was brought up as a question to the council, as to what has been done to provide a safe environment for the public.

Mayor Delgado emphasized, the issue has been dealt with, not only as a personnel issue by the town – which is not able to be publicly disclosed – but also as a matter with the police department. He said if anything like that ever happens, call the police. The mayor also confirmed anyone with questions or concerns may also contact him directly.
The council approved a contract in the amount of $26,850 with Tri City Parks and Recreation for operation of the city pool, with the town paying the first installment including funding to start the pool up for the season. Public works supervisor Mike Fronapfel said the pool’s water pump was sent to Casper to be rebuilt, and town planner John Burfeind has the pool replacement tile scheduled to be installed, so the pool will be ready to go before the start of the swimming season.
Fronapfel reported the contractors working on installing fiber optic cable are doing a good job of cleaning up after themselves, and though there had been a couple communication issues with residents – which he has worked to take care of – things are moving forward well with that project.
The new town equipment garage is completed except for the bay doors, which will be installed this week. Fronapfel also said he has someone coming to train maintenance crews about operation and maintenance of the street sweeper; and he is preparing to do some street patching.
The town approved a request to split a lot at 550 West Burlington Street. Town planner Burfeind said the Guernsey planning and zoning committee recommended approval of the plans, as the requested split meets all criteria for lot size, setback, etc. The new lot that is created as a result of the split will be labeled as 580 West Burlington Street.
Burfeind said he was scheduled to meet with the architect for the senior center / library expansion. “I have the concensus of the council and mayor on what this is going to bring to the community, and the wishlist from the senior center and the public, so we’ll meet and work on moving forward with the project,” Burfeind said.
He added, there has been confusion on the part of the architect with multiple people emailing them, an issue that is fixed by simply making sure all communications with the architect goes through the town planner’s office.
The town approved the purchase of three duty rifles from Insight Precision Arms LLC of Torrington for $4,070.74 for the Guernsey police department.
Chief Harrison said the equipment is required because changes in the law require the town’s law enforcement to have qualifications on the rifles, and as established at a previous council meeting, the town’s current rifles are not functioning properly.
“That is why we need to make this purchase,” the chief said, adding there is money in the police department’s budget for the purchase.
The council also gave the green light for Chief Harrison to pursue a “Cops Hiring” grant. The grant is a federal grant which gives $150,000 in wages over a period of three years for the town to employ another police officer. The conditions of the grant require the town to provide part of the salary and benefits for the position, and they must keep the officer for an additional fourth year at their own expense. After that, they could choose to eliminate the position or keep it at their discretion.
Chief Harrison also informed the council he and officer Justin Breon will be attending a continuing education training in Grand Island, Nebraska, in June. The training is on the subject of drug trafficking, and search and seizure laws.
“It’s a really good, good class to go to,” Harrison said.
In closing comments, councilman Joe Michaels said he is pleased with the construction work being done in the subdivision because they worked to maintain access to residents’ homes and are good at keeping things “put away.” Michaels also said he is glad to see summer help doing their jobs well.
“It must be summer, though it was snowing at Grayrocks today,” councilman Michaels concluded.
Councilman Jeremiah Fields gave a welcome to the new Highlander restaurant and shared appreciation for their donuts and burritos.
Mayor Delgado told the town thanks for their help with the Easter egg hunt and for all the businesses who donated. “IT was a nice day for it,” he said.
Following announcements of a liquor license transfer public hearing at 5:30 p.m. prior to the regular council meeting on May 20., the council moved to go into executive session to “discuss property and personnel after a short break.”