MEEKER | In a work session following the regular board meeting, Meeker trustees reviewed a study about the town’s facilities at the end of Third Street, which include the water load-out, town shop, dog pound and recycling center. During discussions with Better City about the proposed Adventure Center, moving the town’s facilities to a new location to allow for the Adventure Center to be built on the existing property was studied.
The study reviewed three different locations for relocating the Third Street facilities but failed to interview town staff about their needs.
Town Manager Lisa Cook presented the board with compiled comments from town staff and requested direction from the board. The town earmarked $1 million in the 2019 budget toward the proposed relocation, the first phase of which would be to purchase suitable property.
Following discussion, the consensus of the board was to change course from relocation of the facilities to rehabilitation of the current structures.
During the regular board meeting, trustees heard a request from Bob Amick, representing the Rio Blanco County Historical Society, for support in pursuing a grant for signage for historical buildings, and agreed to help with funding for the R100 archery event, coming June 15-16 this year.
Chief of Police Phil Stubblefield said new officer Brian Ahearn started work for the department Monday, and there is still one position open. The MPD had 223 calls for service in February.
Public Works Director Russell Overton said, “We’ve had our share of water leaks.”
Overton suggested the town hire a contractor to replace the water lines at the cul-de-sac at the top of 10th Street.
“There are five services in that cul-de-sac,” he said. “They all need to be replaced.”
Overton asked the board to postpone plans for water line replacement on Water Street, tentatively scheduled for this year.
“I think we have too much on our plate this summer,” he said.
“It’s not imperative,” Cook said of the Water Street project. “It needs to be done but it’s not an emergency situation.”
The board also approved a liquor license application for The Fork.
By Niki Turner | [email protected]
