The Pahrump Town Advisory Board has voted unanimously to hire a consultant to conduct a comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Out of five companies responding to a request for proposals, the board chose that submitted by Willdan Co. Willdan has offices across the nation, including one in Henderson. It has worked exclusively for governmental entities.

Willdan will come up with a service agreement and fee for presentation to the board at the next meeting. Willdan's job will be to provide objectives and benchmarks for parks development in conjunction with the expenditure of future impact fees.

Where another request for proposal was concerned, the board OK'd an expenditure of $15,000 for Leisure and Recreation Concepts Inc. (LARC) to conduct an economic feasibility study for a theme park here in Pahrump.

This company has the ability not only to recommend a theme park for this area, but if that doesn't seem feasible, it may also recommend that Pahrump think of other ways to promote the town for tourism.

Good news, swimmers.

The board approved the purchase of lockers for the public swimming pool. Although dressing room lockers are a standard feature in most pool facilities, Pahrump's Community Pool had been lacking this amenity until last week's meeting. The board will expend $8,372.00 for the much-needed lockers.

The board authorized the purchase of 8 acre feet of water rights (3 quasi-municipal and 5 agricultural) valued at $13,500 per acre-foot. The town attorney is facilitating the purchase with the seller's agent in Henderson for a total of $108,000.

The money comes from the town's capital outlay fund. The deal must still meet with the approval of the seller before moving forward.

In his town manager's report, Dave Richards commented that the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has recognized the need for traffic signals on Highway 372 at Blagg Road and Pahrump Valley Boulevard, but it also noted the lack of funds to install them.

The town will be working with NDOT, other state agencies and Nye County to secure adequate funding to complete the installation, and a proposal will be prepared for the board's consideration at the earliest possible date.

One early agenda item brought the approval by a 5-0 vote to recognize the second annual Pahrump Senior Olympics, slated to be held Nov. 1-5.