RANGELY | Rangely Town Manager Lisa Piering and the Board of Trustees discussed coordinating snow removal with other local entities to save resources during the Nov. 26 regular board meeting.
Trustee Matt Billgren reported that the Polar Plunge was very successful and noted the positive interaction between the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office and the Rangely Police Department, referring to Officer Daniel Connor and Sheriff Anthony Mazzola jumping in the lake together.
Town Clerk Marybell Cox said that she is headed into election season and is setting up her calendar. The first date of public importance is Jan. 7 when petitions can start to circulate for the open trustee positions for the April 7, 2020 election. Those petitions must be returned by Jan. 22.
During the town manager update Piering said she was excited about the Governor’s Rural Economic Blueprint for 2020 that includes trying to get fresh foods to communities. She said she would see if the program could help Rangely with the grocery store dilemma.
The Town of Rangely will hold its annual Christmas party on Dec. 13 at the Elks Lodge, funds from scrap metal sales and the safety awareness refund/rebate will aid in paying for the party. Piering reported that the Rangely Police Department live-streamed the nuclear steam generator passing through town and that the video had gotten 50,000 views (124,000 thousand as of Dec. 3). Since airing the video the Rangely Police Department has racked up 300 new followers.
Piering toured the Atwood Innovation Plaza at Dixie State University in St. George Utah with CNCC on Monday, Dec. 2. The Community Networking meeting for the GoCo Grant was held Tuesday, Nov. 26. The Dinosaur Diamond has asked about electric vehicle charging stations in Rangely. They would like to apply for the grant and have asked Piering to pick a place for the charging stations to be placed. Billgren said he thought it was important as Harley Davidson had just come out with an electric motorcycle and there is now a Tesla pickup truck. Mayor Andy Shaffer said this could be a good opportunity to invite Governor Jared Polis to Rangely for a ribbon cutting of the new charging stations.
Piering reported meeting with an organization called Rivers Edge about conservation and eradicating the tamarisks to get better recreational and outdoor use of your river. The school district provided information to Piering about the mill levy equalization bill, and she says she still has a lot to read up on it but hopes that it will help better fund our schools better. The 2020 Town of Rangely budget is slated for approval at the Dec. 10 meeting.
During new business, Piering reported that a few departments were over budget for the month of October but there were expenses that they had no control over. Key moved to approve the October 2019 financial summary and Geer seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Robie moved to approve the recommendations to appoint Sara Peterson, Tim Webber and Ryan Huitt as board members to the RDA/RDC. Granger seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There is still a vacancy on the planning and zoning board. If interested in volunteering please contact Town Manager Lisa Piering.
The first annual Old Fashioned Rangely Christmas gathering is scheduled for Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. The Rangely Area Chamber of Commerce’s Elf on the Shelf event commenced Nov. 29-Dec. 14. Their Holiday Window and Christmas Tree Decorating Contest is scheduled for Dec. 10-11. Christmasfest is right around the corner on Dec. 12-14.
By ROXIE FROMANG | Special to the Herald Times
