MEEKER | In the final formal meeting for 2020, Meeker’s Board of Trustees approved the 2021 budget and certified the town’s property tax mill levy.
The board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the White River Partnership for the conservation of riparian areas along the White River and its tributaries in Colorado and Utah. Multiple private and public entities participate in the Partnership.
Trustees approved an ongoing agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey to continue water quality sampling on the White River. The Town will pay $8,887 for its part of the agreement.
The Community Master Plan has been delayed, according to a letter submitted by Western Slope Consulting, LLC., which has been working on the plan. More than one deadline has been missed.
Mayor Kent Borchard encouraged residents and businesses to continue taking precautions against COVID-19. “We’re not through this yet,” he said, adding that he would urge businesses to enforce the state regulations.
Of further discussion were concerns about thin ice on the pond at Circle Park. Mayor Borchard suggested, and Town Attorney Melody Massih agreed, that signage warning people of possible thin ice would be a good safety step. Trustee Turner asked about fencing off the pond with snow fence, but Massih and Borchard said taking that action might increase the town’s liability.
The recreation district insures the parks, and the town is listed as an additional insured on the policy, said Town Manager Lisa Cook. Liability concerns about the pond have been part of the discussion since the project’s inception and will be addressed with signage.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
