Meeker board reviews capital plan

MEEKER — Town staff and the board of trustees met July 22 for a capital planning workshop to review current expenditures and anticipated expenses.
“As a board and staff (our objective is) to have a more cohesive view of where we want our dollars to go,” said Meeker Mayor Mandi Etheridge. “It’s a crucial time, we need to start directing our dollars to where they need to be. There are a lot of special interest groups out there that would like to see town funds go toward their projects.”
Street projects top the list of current expenses and future needs.
“The Water Street (paving) project will go ahead this year,” said Public Works Superintendent Russell Overton. The project was postponed due to a shortage of oil. Overton said the contractor on the project notified the town this week that a lesser grade oil available at the same price, has been located for use in the asphalt.
Also slated for the 2009 is the installation of curb and gutter along Market Street.
Discussion about the possibility of extending Sulphur Creek Road all the way to Market Street was included in the capital planning workshop.
During the workshop, the trustees and staff also discussed expansion of the recycling center, the need for a police garage and evidence bay, the upcoming transition for the police department to a digital radio system, town fiduciary support of the museum and the chamber, improvements to Circle Park and the need to revisit the 2002 master plan created for Ute Park.
The board accepted an $8,000 bid for the purchase of two permanently mounted electronic speed monitors to be installed at either end of town. The current trailer-mounted sign, will be moved around in town, said Police Chief Bob Hervey.
Trustees approved a home daycare facility on 10th Street, operated by Danita Stevens and is approved for up to eight children from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.