Welcome to

Nespelem Washington

509-634-4691 330 9th St, Nespelem, WA 99155 clerk@townofnespelem.com

Vision Statement

The Town of Nespelem seeks sustainable

growth that protects our natural and historic resources,

while preserving our values, qualities, and culture.


The Town of Nespelem was incorporated on May 3, 1934 and operates under the laws of the state of Washington applicable to a Council-Mayor form of government. The Town of Nespelem is a general-purpose local government and provides street lighting and street improvements, water services and general administrative services. It is significant to note that the Colville Confederated Tribes owns and operates the sewer facilities, but the Town collects the monthly fees for the Tribe.
Darcy Epperson, Mayor
mayor@townofnespelem.com


Sally Hutton, Position #2
position2@townofnespelem.com
Rowena St Pierre, Position #3
position3@townofnespelem.com
Victor Becker, Position #4
position4@townofnespelem.com


Morgan Allen
Clerk/Treasurer 509-634-4691clerk@townofnespelem.com
Wade Ross
Water/Maintenance Specialist 509-634-0398water@townofnespelem.com

Payment Center

The payment link is very secure, it is through the Town’s bank.
Click the button to pay your utility bill.You will need your account number, that is located on the statement.
Click Here to Pay Monthly Utility

Notices

***For all Water Emergency call, 509-634-4691***
**Town Hall is Open Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.**
** Town of Nespelem Council meetings are help the 2nd Wednesday of each month, at 350 9th St. Nespelem, starting at 5:30 p.m. Public is welcome to attend in person or request a zoom invite. **

Public Records Request RCW 42.56


Meeting Agenda
Tentative Agenda Town of Nespelem330 9th St, Nespelem, WA 99155 **Speical meeting**Thursday, April 8th, 2024 at 5:30p.m. Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Approval of Minutes:
Mayor Report:
Old Business:
New Business: Public Comment Period: Maintenance Report:
Clerk\Treasurer Report:
Approval of Claims:
Adjourn: *Next meeting - Sept. 13th, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. * Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/84611419047?pwd=c0xPZ0I2QWs5MGJydFkveVM5eE1KZz09 Meeting ID: 846 1141 9047 Passcode: 711021
Call 509-634-4691 for an email invite.
Meeting Minutes
The Town of Nespelem Council met in a session at 330 9th Street, Nespelem, WA on the 13th of March 2024. Council members Dawn Victor Becker, Rowena St. Pierre Clerk/Treasurer Morgan Allen and Maintenance Worker Wade Ross
Darcy opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of minutes, February 14th, 2024: Sally motioned to approve the minutes, Rowena seconded, all in favor.
Mayor Report: Darcy did not have anything to report at this meeting.
Old Business: 1. Water Tank Hill Stabilization: Morgan reported that there will be a few more payments made to Devout and Century West.
New Business: 1. Resolution 2024-04 New Banking Signer: Rowena moved to approve resolution 2024-01, Sally seconded, all in favor.2. Road Grading: The council agreed to contract Jesse Palmer to grade the roads again. Maintenance Report: Wade gave short update to the group about how things have been going. Water Specialist Report: Kelly was present at the meeting to inform the group that she is working on the lead report for the Town. She explained that it’s a simple report and she is almost finished. Clerk\Treasurer Report: Morgan gave a handout to the group from the electric company stating that the price of electricity is increasing. Approval of Claims: Sally moved to approve the warrant #10991-#10998 in the amount of $4,337.71, Rowena seconded, all in favor.
Public Comment Period per RCW 42.30: No public comment
Rowena motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:45pm, Sally seconded, all in favor



Click the link to review approved Ordinances.
.

Mission Statement

The Town of Nespelem strives to promote and improve

quality of life, enhancing a sense of community, and

preserving the integrity of our small-town identity and heritage.

We are committed to promoting respect, decorum,

and hospitality. Town government supports initiatives

that create a welcoming and affordable environment for

residents, businesses, and visitors alike. We strive to

provide excellence through a responsible and accessible

Town government. We encourage public participation and

collaboration from our citizens and businesses.


The Town of Nespelem is situated on the Colville Indian Reservation in the State of Washington, and derived its name from an Indian word meaning, "A Beautiful Valley Between Two Hills." Nespelem was probably settled in the 1880's or early 1890's. Around this time the government wishing to get white settler into the area, promised a gristmill and sawmill.The great Chief Joseph was brought here in 1885, which made this area a military reservation. For many years, the Native people held their Encampment Circle around the present-day Town of Nespelem. The significance of the circle is that “it is whole and unending, just as the good life will never end.” The Native people were very impressive, dressed in beautiful regalia of beaded buckskin, otter tails, and feathers. The dances with war drums were performed in an attitude of worship and respect. The stick games enacted many exchanged from the big stacks of blankets, scarves, ropes, horse and even a few saddles to the winning team that correctly guessed who on the opposing team held the black or ringed bone.In 1889 the south half of the Colville Indian Reservations was opened to mineral entry. Many good prospects and a great deal of high-grade gold and silver ore was shipped out of the area. Some of this ore was taken by a four-horse team and wagon to the town of Almira, WA. But most of the ore was hauled to the mount of the Nespelem River and put aboard river steamers traveling the Columbia.The Colville Indian Agency was moved to Nespelem from Fort Spokane in 1913. It was located two miles south of town and was built on the site of the old Indian racetrack. Mr. W. A. Talbot was the first superintendent for the Agency.In 1915 the south half was opened to homesteading and this brough in the first influx of people who really “settled in.” The homesteaders raised fine heards of cattle, horse and sheep and harvested good crops. Nespelem became a thriving little community. The business section consisted of a post office, two general stores, a rooming house, a hotel, meat market and butcher shop, and a livery barn. By 1916 churches, schools, a confectionery, store, and harness shop had been added. In 1925 over half of the establishment and a home were destroyed by fire.Construction started on the Grand Coulee Dam in the early 1930’s, Nespelem boomed with the influx of construction workers. Electricity was brought into town, in 1942 streets in the downtown area were paved and the community waterworks complete and fire hydrants were added. The picturesque Indian town began showing signs of modernization. Not all changes were progressive. The completion of Grand Coulee Dam ended the boom, business closed, old timers’ number fewer as the years passed, and the town became quieter. It now sits as a silent reminder of by gone days with ghosts of pool halls, miners, card sharks and cowboys. But the pules sill beats slowly and surely. Taken from “History of Nespelem”, by Muriel Sutton

Photos Curtesey of CCT History/Archaeology
Town Hall is openedTuesday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Except Holidays
Copyright © 2021 Web.com Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Web.com is a registered trademark of Web.com Group, Inc. All other registered trademarks herein are the property of their respective owners.