RANGELY I This coming spring, the Town of Rangely will be electing several new members to the Town Board of Trustees, or Town Council, including the position of mayor and three town trustees, referred to as council members.
Mayor Frank Huitt will be leaving his position and is prevented from seeking re-election as mayor by term limits.
Huitt, who has served for a total of 12 years—four as mayor from 2012-2016 and eight as a trustee from 2004-2012—is eligible to serve again as a trustee but has chosen not to.
“I’ve done my civic duty,” he said. “It’s time for someone else.”
The three trustee seats that are up for election are currently filled by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Nielsen and trustees Dan Eddy and Kristin Steele.
Steele was appointed to the board in 2015 to fill the seat vacated by Brad Casto after his resignation. Steele, who is also the executive director of the Rangely Area Chamber of Commerce, says she has not yet determined if she will seek election to the position.
Joe Nielsen has said he plans to seek election as mayor after serving four years as a trustee. He was first elected in 2012.
Dan Eddy was first appointed to the board in 2004 and successfully ran for re-election in 2006. He then ran again in 2012. Eddy said he does not intend to seek election again this cycle.
The positions receive a monthly stipend of $100 for trustees and $150 for the mayor.
Mayoral terms are two years long are limited to three terms while trustee terms are four years long and are limited to two terms.
Packets with all of the information about the election process and petitions to be included on the ballot are available at the Rangely Town Hall and are due back in the town clerk’s hands by Jan. 25.
The Rangely town election will be held April 5.
