Afton council passes first reading of ordinance creating misdemeanor classes and penalties

The Afton Town Council held the first reading of Ordinance 645 on Dec. 12 and passed the measure to create classes of crimes and corresponding penalties in the municipal code.

Town Attorney Dale Cottam said he and Afton Police Chief Jason Romberg, together with Municipal Court Judge Jensen, developed a system of misdemeanor classes and penalties to give the police department and the municipal judge clearer authority to proceed on certain violations. Mayor Joel Neuenschwander presented Ordinance 645 for first reading; Council Member Tom Davis moved to pass the ordinance on first reading and Council Member Rick Merritt seconded; minutes state "Motion carried." The minutes do not include a roll-call tally.

At the same meeting Chief Romberg told the council the department is investigating a burglary at a local business and reported the department recently purchased new tasers because the older units could no longer be serviced. Romberg also noted he has served one year with the department and thanked the community and the council for the opportunity to serve.