City will begin search for new judge

The City of Columbia Falls will begin the search for a new city judge this month, something it hasn’t had to do for 30 years. Longtime judge Tina (Susan) Gordon is retiring at the end of the December. City council on Monday night approved a job description for the post, and will begin taking applications through November.

At minimum, the post requires a high school diploma, but a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Candidates do not have to be attorneys or a background in law, though they do have to have computer and budgeting skills.

The judge works under the general supervision of the state Supreme Court and is accountable to the city manager on administrative matters.

In the past, Gordon has pleaded with city council in past for more clerical help, but without much success.

In other city news:

- Council approved the 2018 salary for city manager Susan Nicosia at $80,186.

- The city-county planning board will examine a conditional use permit for Columbia Mortuary to add a 884 square foot addition to its facility that will function as a garage and a crematory. The addition would be on the south side of the mortuary and would be accessed by the alley. A public hearing in front of the board is set for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at city council chambers.

- City council approved a conditional use permit for Robert Pero to build two six plexes on Diane Road. The permit came with 14 conditions. Diane Road is all multi-family residences, city planner Eric Mulcahy noted.

- The city has signed off on the Riverwood Drive special improvement district, with the exception of the pavement, which has some problems and will need to be smoothed out in the spring.