The Wrangell sentinel., 1949-06-10
RAMP COVER CAUSES
 MISUNDERSTANDING WORK
 AUTHORIZED BY ENGINEER

l or the town, which always makes life in Wrangell interesting, is the covering of the airplane ramp at the shrimp cannery dock and in- stallation of a rest room for plane passengers.
 It all began last fall when sea- gull droppings on the ramp and float made walking hazardous and brought protests from local citi- zens and and airplane passengers.
 Minutes of a Council meeting Of November 4, show that the council eevidently acted. In the minutes is a letter, apparently in answer to a letter written him, from Sec retary of Alaska Lew M. Williams, suggesting that the Council apply to the Territorial Road Board for funds to cover the ramp. Council referred the matter to Andy Bar low, who was then chairman of the harbor committee. No further action was taken by the Council toward the covering.
 In January an estimate was made of the cost and a letter from Frank Metcalf, Highway Engineer was written S. w Jenkins author izing him to proceed with the covering at Territorial expense.
 Jenkins, leaving for Bristol Bay, turned the work over to Paul Sorn- son, but no sooner had Sornson appeared on the job and the fol- lowing correspondence took place MT. Frank A. Metcalf, Sec'y
 Territorial Road Brd.
 Juneau, Alaska
 Dear MT. Metcalf:
 It has been brought to the at- tention of the Coucnil and myself that a coves is being placed over the ramp and floats leading to the seaplane floats in Wrangell har- bor. This is being done without the consent of the Council of the Town of Wrangell and without their official notification and ap- proval. I note the person doing the work has no written permission from any source to do the work.
 The reason for the cover is quite apparent, but the Council has dis cussed the matter time and time again for the past year to try to find a way to eliminate the situa- tion. We have tried having the shrimp canneries build chutes to low water level with the under standing that the shrimp shells would sink. and be swept away by the motion of the tide. Thus the cpn 1Ic hoU fIoI 11o wuld leave the area. However, the Council still does not consider a cover over the ramp satisfactory solution to the matter, but the best solution would be to eliminate the cause Shrimp refuse). The Council agrees as does he shrimp cannery owners, that the only solution is to find a place where the shells can be dumped by truck, some where out of town. To accomplish this the Town would need funds to build a road. The funds we do not have, but they could possibly come from the Motor Fuel Tax fund
 Even though the ramp to the floats were covered, the surround ing areas would be affected no less, so if money is to be spent, it should be spent in a manner to el- intimate the cause rather than pro- tect the one area.
 Also, the Council has the ques- tion of responsibility in mind. Ev- en though the floats were built with Territorial funds, the harbor is under jurisdiction of the Town of Wrangell. Even though this be true, the Town of Wrangell must refuse responsibility of the cover in case it falls down, blows down and injures some person. The Council wishes to make this matter clear, that it will take no respon- sibility for the safety of the pro- iect if it must be done. Will the Territory be willing to take this responsibility? However, since tt6 work is being done without the of- ficial consent of the Council we would like to know who is in charge of the project here in Wrangell. An early reply would be appreciated.
 Very truly yours, TOWN of WRANGELL *% * **